How PBSA Operator Collegiate UK maintain year-round student satisfaction

As the academic year is well underway, many students have secured their term-time housing. Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) providers must navigate the challenge of maintaining high occupancy rates and resident satisfaction during quieter periods.

Collegiate UK remains dedicated to delivering exceptional Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) services, with a focus on more than just filling beds. Through strategic campaigns, advertising, and a well-established social media presence, the company ensures high occupancy rates throughout the year and a large proportion of this is due to re-bookers, who having already lived in a Collegiate UK property, want to rebook for another year. And that’s no surprise. Once settled into their accommodation, Collegiate UK’s focus shifts to maintaining resident care and satisfaction, ensuring a seamless experience from move-in day onwards.

We recently caught up with Shann Clarke, Marketing Director at Collegiate UK to discuss its approach to student satisfaction further. 

Prime locations with accommodations to suit every lifestyle and budget

Across much of its portfolio, Collegiate UK provides a range of top-tier facilities that significantly enhance the living experience for residents throughout the UK. With amenities such as fully equipped gyms, cinema rooms, communal lounges, and study areas, students can enjoy a well-rounded lifestyle within their accommodation.

Additionally, the prime city locations of Collegiate UK properties make them particularly attractive to new students. Being situated in vibrant urban areas allows residents easy access to universities, entertainment, dining, and other cultural experiences, which are critical for student life. These high-quality facilities and desirable locations not only encourage residents to return, but also serve as key drivers in attracting new students each year.

Value for money has never been more important to students, and Collegiate UK offers a diverse range of products and price points, allowing residents to make accommodation choices based on their priorities.

Creating communities

A thriving and inclusive student community is at the heart of Collegiate UK’s operational approach. Recognising that the student experience includes much more than just accommodation, Collegiate UK organises a robust calendar of fully funded social events throughout the academic year built around the four pillars of wellbeing, memorable experiences, lifestyle and community.

By providing the opportunity for residents to engage in events that are tailored to them, their cultures, their interests, and also around their wellbeing throughout their stay, each property nurtures a thriving community. Whether it’s a welcome party at the start of the year, a local community event, a cultural celebration or a wellbeing event, each experience is planned with a focus on engagement and inclusion.

Supporting the student journey

Collegiate UK’s induction programmes are designed to provide new residents with essential support from their first day. These programmes go beyond basic orientations, introducing students not only to the accommodation but also to the local area and their new community. Residents are given guidance to help them settle in, with a particular emphasis on easing the transition to university life.

Collegiate UK’s website is also well populated with location-based blogs for forthcoming students to get a feel for the area before arriving.

Mental health and wellbeing support

Recognising the importance of mental health in student life, Collegiate UK has partnered with Health Assured, a leading health and wellbeing provider. This collaboration ensures that students have access to 24/7 mental health support, offering professional services and wellbeing resources whenever needed.

Additionally, Collegiate UK has implemented mental health training for the majority of its accommodation managers, with ambitious plans to extend this training across all sites. This initiative equips staff with the skills to identify and respond to mental health concerns, contributing to a safer and more supportive environment for all residents, and providing peace of mind to parents and guardians.

Round-the-clock care

Collegiate UK’s commitment to resident welfare is evident through the provision of 24/7 on-site support. Dedicated teams are available at all hours, ensuring that residents can access help at any time, whether for maintenance issues, emergencies, or general guidance. This around-the-clock support plays a key role in providing peace of mind for both students and their families. By offering continuous care and support, Collegiate UK maintains high satisfaction levels among residents throughout the academic year.

Continuous improvement through resident feedback

To ensure a consistently high-quality living experience, Collegiate UK gathers resident feedback through two satisfaction surveys conducted each year. This feedback provides valuable insights into resident experiences and areas for potential improvement.

This feedback, supported by StudentCrowd insights, provides valuable data that enables Collegiate UK to understand student needs better and make well-informed adjustments. By partnering with StudentCrowd, Collegiate UK tailors its strategies based on real-time student feedback, helping to keep accommodation offerings relevant and responsive to today’s students.

Recommendations for PBSA Operators

In addition to Collegiate UK's approach, here are some actionable strategies that can help other PBSA operators maintain year-round occupancy and resident satisfaction:

Consider Flexible Tenancies

Flexible tenancy agreements can help maximise occupancy by accommodating students’ varied schedules and study durations, particularly for postgraduate or international students who may arrive or leave outside traditional academic terms.

Broaden Your Portfolio and Range of Products

Offering a diverse mix of accommodation types and price points appeals to a broader range of students, from those on tight budgets to those seeking premium amenities, thus enhancing your occupancy potential.

Strengthen Sustainability Credentials

Environmentally-conscious policies are increasingly important to students and universities. By implementing sustainable practices and showcasing eco-friendly credentials, PBSA providers can appeal to eco-aware students and contribute positively to university sustainability goals.

Invest in Maintenance and Upkeep

Today’s students have high expectations for the quality and upkeep of their living spaces. Regular maintenance and timely updates ensure that accommodations remain appealing and safe, enhancing resident satisfaction and fostering re-bookings.

Collaborate with Universities

Strong partnerships with universities can help raise your profile, attract new residents, and support each other’s objectives in providing quality student experiences. Universities can also be valuable partners in promoting PBSA options to incoming students.

Collegiate UK remains committed to maintaining a high standard of student care throughout the academic year. By promoting a strong sense of community, prioritising mental health and wellbeing, and offering continuous support, the company ensures that students not only enjoy their accommodation but also feel valued, supported and able to thrive.

About StudentCrowd

This blog is a collaboration between Collegiate UK and StudentCrowd.

StudentCrowd is the decision-making hub for higher education. Our platform has helped over 12 million students on their higher education journey. Our dataset covers the live price and availability for 100% of the UK PBSA market, as well as Ireland and Spain. 

To learn more about how StudentCrowd can support your business, visit our product website today.