Unite Students Accommodation Matters
Episodes
S09E06: Wellbeing and the class of 2025
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With a new academic year just weeks away, we’re looking at the class of 2025 – and the factors that influence their wellbeing. Our expert panel di...
S09E05: Joint venture partnerships
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
They’ve made headlines and opened up a whole new opportunity for the future of student accommodation… so, in this very special episode of Accommod...
S09E04: Refurbishments: Future-proofing student accommodation
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every building needs a refresh at some point. Whether it’s adapting amenity spaces to meet changing student needs or refreshing the look of bedrooms...
S09E03: What does student satisfaction look like in 2025?
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In an increasingly competitive student market, understanding the drivers of student satisfaction has never been more important. This month, we’re ge...
S09E02: Compassion - Student wellbeing’s newest buzzword
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
‘Compassion’ is the word of the moment in the HE sector. But why, and what does that look like in practice? Join host Jenny Shaw and an expert pa...
S09E01: Designing community in student accommodation
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Season 9 launches with something a little bit different. To celebrate four years of Accommodation Matters, we took the show on the road to GSL Live an...
Bonus episode: What we know about the Class of 2024
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In July, Unite Students launched the 2024 Applicant Index: an in-depth look at the needs and concerns of this year’s university applicants. We recor...
S08E07: Innovations and inspiration for 2024/25
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Higher Education sector is full of ideas for improving student life. Last year, we asked our listeners to get in touch with what ideas and initiat...
Special episode: The Student Accommodation Podcast Summit
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎧 The special Student Accommodation Podcast Summit Episode is out now! Accommodation Matters host Jenny Shaw recently collaborated with experts Sar...
S08E06: What we know about 2024’s university applicants
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Every year, Unite Students surveys university applicants for our Applicant Index. And every year, we’re surprised by the differences between applica...
S08E05: What the 2024 General Election means for student accommodation
27 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Political decisions can reshape the whole Higher Education landscape – so no doubt you’re keeping an eye on the 2024 General Election campaign. Bu...
S08E04: Emerging trends in student mental health
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Content note: This episode contains discussion of sensitive topics including suicide. If you need support with the topics discussed in this episode, t...
S08E03: How do we solve the student accommodation supply problem?
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the episode you’ve been waiting for… An explosion in student numbers. A contraction in houses of multiple occupancy (HMO). Challenges to bu...
S08E02: How can Higher Education end student loneliness?
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The 2023 Student Academic Experience Survey showed that 1 in 4 students feels lonely most or all of the time – and that number is growing. With lone...
S08E01: What the Building Safety Act means for student accommodation
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Grenfell Tower (2017). The Cube student accommodation fire, Bolton (2019). Two disasters that reshaped the landscape for building safety in student ac...
S07E03: The future of social impact in Higher Education
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the final episode in our series on the future of sustainability in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA)! The festive season is a season o...
S07E02: The future of race and inclusion in student accommodation
22 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hot off the launch of the new Living Black at University Commission report, we’re continuing our focus on the future of sustainability within purpos...
S07E01.5: What does sustainable construction of student accommodation look like?
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Unite Students has committed to becoming a net-zero carbon organisation by 2030 – with new developments in particular being targeted for a reduction...
S07E01: The future of environmental sustainability in student accommodation
19 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Accommodation Matters is back for its seventh series! For this series, we’re focusing on the future of sustainability within purpose-built student a...
S06E07: Innovations and inspiration for 2023/24
24 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With a new academic year rapidly approaching, we wanted to know what new and exciting initiatives are being rolled out in Purpose Built Student Accomm...
S06E06: What do we know about the class of 2023?
20 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In September, a new cohort of students will be walking through the doors of universities up and down the UK. So, in this month’s episode of Accommod...
S06E05: Supporting students through the cost of living crisis
25 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Last year’s cost of living episode of Accommodation Matters proved to be the most popular yet – but more than a year on, how has the cost of livin...
SE06E04: Supporting international students’ mental health
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
International students make up a substantial proportion of the UK’s student population, but how do their mental health needs differ from those of ho...
S06E03.5 What is the ‘Journey To A Million’?
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Following on from our latest Accommodation Matters episode ‘What does 1 million applicants mean for student accommodation?’, we now share Jenny Sh...
S06E03: What does 1 million applicants mean for student accommodation?
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
UCAS is projecting that by 2030, there could be up to one million applicants for Higher Education in the United Kingdom – throwing up countless cons...
S06E02: Meeting the needs of neurodivergent students
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Following on from the publication of Unite Students’ new report into the university and accommodation experiences of neurodivergent students, this m...
S06E01: Student belonging - behind the buzzword
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the sixth series of Accommodation Matters – bringing sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues throug...
S05E03: What are the latest trends in student accommodation marketing?
13 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Accommodation Matters brings together sector experts to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation, ...
S05E02: Hidden risks: Reducing harms from high-risk student behaviour
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Content note: This episode contains discussion of sensitive topics including drugs, alcohol, gambling and sex work. If you or someone you know needs s...
S05E01: Student accommodation: home or hotel?
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the fifth series of Accommodation Matters – bringing sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues throug...
In Conversation with... Victoria Tolmie-Loverseed
24 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The final episode of our In Conversation mini-series stars Victoria Tolmie-Loverseed, Assistant Chief Executive - Standards at student housing charity...
S04E06: Preparing for the class of 2022
09 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. ...
In Conversation with... Dr Alexis Brown
19 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The latest episode of our In Conversation mini-series stars Dr Alexis Brown, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Higher Education Policy Institute....
S04E05: Postgraduates’ accommodation needs
05 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. ...
In Conversation, Episode 1: Hillary Gyebi-Ababio
21 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This summer, Unite Students is sharing ‘Accommodation Matters: In Conversation’: a 3-episode podcast mini-series, showcasing in-depth discussions ...
New series trailer: In Conversation
17 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This summer, Unite Students is bringing you brand new mini-series In Conversation. Host Jenny Shaw speaks to sector experts one-on-one for an in-depth...
S04E04: Lessons from around the world
07 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. ...
Accommodation Matters S04E03: The future of student mental health
09 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Content warning: This episode contains discussion of sensitive topics including suicide, eating disorders and domestic violence. If you need support w...
S04E02: The rising cost of living
05 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. ...
S04E01: Living Black at University
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Accommodation Matters is back for a new season, bringing sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the len...
S03E03: Unite Foundation takeover
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. ...
S03E02: The changing role of parents in Higher Education
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. ...
S03E01 - Expectations v reality of the admissions cycle
20 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. ...
S02E05 - Preparing for September (Part 2)
27 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. ...
S02E04 - Preparing for September (Part 1)
29 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. ...
S02E03 - Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. ...
S02E02 - Future of Higher Education
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Accommodation Matters, bringing sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodatio...
S02E01 - Sustainability
25 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Accommodation Matters is back for a new season, bringing sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the len...
S01E05 - The story so far
15 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In September 2020, Unite Students launched the Accommodation Matters podcast, recognising the need for a space to discuss the implications of Covid-19...
S01E04 - International Students
11 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Host Darren Ellis returns with a new panel of experts to tackle the subject of international students in the UK. In this episode, the panel discusses ...
Episode 4 - International Students is out this week
07 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're back for the last episode of the year. This month we'll be talking about international students. Joining Darren for this discussion is ...
S01E03 - Student mental health and wellbeing
19 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Host Darren Ellis is back again with a new panel of experts to discuss student mental health and wellbeing, a topic arguably more relevant than ever b...
Episode 3 - Student Wellbeing is out Friday
18 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This month Darren is joined by a new panel of guests to discuss student wellbeing when going to university during the COVID-19 pandemic. Get the fu...
S01 E02 - The transition into university life
15 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Host Darren Ellis is back with a new panel of experts to discuss the transition from school to university in the context of COVID-19. In this episode ...
Trailer - S01 E02 - The transition into university life
15 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On this months episode, Darren chats to a new panel of guests including UCAS Chief Executive, Clare Marchant, St Bonaventure’s Director of 6th Form...
S01 E01. The return to campus
18 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Join host Darren Ellis in this, the very first episode of Accommodation Matters. We discuss results day and the impact on UCAS figures and student n...
Accommodation matters - coming this Friday
17 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Unite Students are launching a brand new podcast discussing what matters in student accommodation. Join host Darren Ellis each month for a lively r...