ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED
Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry for the Student Accommodation Awards.
Table bookings are now open! Secure your spot to join the celebration of success!
Affordable/HMO Accommodation of the Year
*NEW CATEGORY*
This category is dedicated to recognising outstanding efforts in providing high-quality, affordable housing options for students. It focuses on projects that balance cost, comfort, and convenience, including HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation), co-living spaces, and budget-friendly campus accommodations. Entries are open to private landlords, housing associations, universities, and any organisation involved in providing affordable student housing.
Agency Team of the Year
Outstanding agency teams possess an in-depth expertise and ability in all areas of student accommodation to ensure that clients receive the best possible advice, support, and guidance. The award is open student accommodation agency teams that offer professional serves to developers, investors, operators and/or universities. Depending on your structure, you may connect universities, owners, and operators, landowners, PBSA developers, and investors to help them maximise opportunities in the student accommodation space. Crucially, you will make a real difference to your clients’ business and have a strong track record to prove it.
Climate Crisis Initiative - Student Property
Over the past few years, climate change has rocketed to the top of the agenda, fuelled by the UK government’s target to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 – one of the most ambitious carbon targets in the world.
We want to celebrate the ground-breaking work the student property sector is doing to tackle the climate crisis and improve the sector’s environmental credentials.
Collaboration Award
This award recognises the growing importance of collaboration between the private sector - developers, operators and/or investors – and universities. We are seeking outstanding partnership and collaboration projects between the two sides, from DBFOs and investment deals, development of new schemes and campus refurbishment projects, to any innovative collaboration that has resulted in a better student housing offer.
Deal of the Year
*NEW CATEGORY*
This award celebrates the most significant, innovative, or impactful deal in the student accommodation sector over the past year. This could include mergers, acquisitions, new partnerships, or financial arrangements that have had a transformative effect on the market. Entries can be submitted by any of the involved parties, including investment firms, property developers, universities, or legal teams that have facilitated the deal.
Developer of the Year – Student Property
Are you the standout student accommodation developer of the past year? Have you developed landmark schemes, pulled off ground-breaking deals, embarked on innovative joint ventures or pioneered new ideas that have changed the face of property development in the UK? Have you moved the dial in terms of the ESG or social impact agendas? Have you raised the bar architecturally or developed a scheme that has helped regenerate an area? Then we want to hear from you.
Health & Wellbeing Initiative - Student Property
The health and wellbeing award aims to celebrate the organisation or individual that has done the most in the past year to support the health and wellbeing of staff, occupiers, or the local community. We are looking for an exemplary initiative, scheme or project that has raised the bar in terms of health and wellbeing. Has your building achieved a WELL certification and/or best-in-class environmental accreditation standard rating (e.g. BREEAM, LEED, SKA)? Have you done something ground-breaking to support the health and wellbeing of your staff or student occupiers? Perhaps you have prioritised health and wellbeing features in a new scheme. Have you worked collaboratively on a community-focused project aimed at enhancing campus health and wellbeing, as well as the wider community?
Inclusion in Student Accommodation Award
*NEW CATEGORY*
This category is designed to honour outstanding achievements in fostering inclusivity within the student accommodation sector. It recognises accommodations, initiatives, or programmes that ensure all students, regardless of their background, identity, or physical abilities, have equal access to high-quality living environments that are safe, supportive, and conducive to their academic and personal growth. This award celebrates those who go above and beyond to create spaces that are welcoming, diverse, and inclusive. This category is open to accommodation providers, universities, non-profits, and any other organisations involved in the student housing sector that have implemented outstanding inclusive practices.
Innovation Award
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The award is aimed at organisations or individuals that are using game-changing innovation to create an outstanding student experience. They may be technology organisations with cutting-edge solutions, architects with ground-breaking design concepts, smart energy companies, or start-ups offering truly innovative solutions to the sector’s challenges.
Interior Design of the Year
*NEW CATEGORY*
This category celebrates innovative and student-centric interior design in student accommodation. It recognises the role of design in enhancing student wellbeing, optimising space, and creating environments conducive to both study and relaxation. Eligible entries might include novel uses of space, sustainable materials, ergonomic furniture, and designs that positively impact student mental health and community engagement. Entries can be submitted by design firms, accommodation providers, or universities directly.
Investor of the Year
A forward-thinking investor will seek student housing that is closely aligned with student needs, is strategically located and offers tangible investment returns. The award will recognise any type of investor – an investment or institutional fund, private equity firm, and other providers of finance – that has excelled in making the right financial decisions.
International Operator of the Year
Are you an overseas operator or a UK-based operator with international reach? Have you gone above and beyond the call of duty in the way you have risen to the challenges posed ? Have you succeeded in extending your geographical reach? Is the accommodation you offer the first choice for students in that location? Then we want to hear from you.
We are looking for an outstanding operator that has successfully moved into new geographies and adapted to the processes and challenges unique to each of them.
Legal/Professional Team – Student Property
This category is aimed at law firms and specialist property consultants (or departments of larger agency firms) that provide one or more of the following: legal advice, valuation, rating, rent review and property/land and estate management. It is also open to building surveyors, firms that provide planning/development or environmental advice and practices that are strong in arbitration, claims, expert witness or legal services. It is not open to facilities management organisations or other property advisers. Have you moved the dial in the past year in the legal/professional space? Then we want to hear from you.
Operator of the Year (UK only)
Modern student accommodation is light years away from the utilitarian stock of the past; today’s best operators are in tune with both cultural and technological shifts, as well as the latest build and design standards. From providing collaborative study spaces and recreational facilities to embracing the latest in digital and networked, outstanding operators offer students much more than bricks and mortar. They offer a variety of choice and exceptional value in strategic locations close to universities and learning institutions.
The category is open to any operator of student accommodation that is accredited by ANUK.
Private Halls of Residence Award
The best private halls of residence are aligned with the demands of Gen-Z, focusing on digital and networked aspects, and learning and social cohesion, with the student experience and their wellbeing prioritised throughout. They offer a variety and choice in accommodation options and are creative and innovative in their student offering. They are highly rated by students and offer a slice of home away from home.
The category is open to a single site, which may include more than one building, but will form part of one halls of residence. Please do not enter multiple portfolios, only single developments - both new schemes and refurbishment sites - will be accepted.
PropTech Solution of the Year
*NEW CATEGORY*
This award recognises the most impactful technological innovation tailored for the student accommodation market. It celebrates solutions that streamline operations, enhance student living experiences, improve safety and security, or facilitate community building. Eligible solutions can range from management software to IoT devices enhancing day-to-day living. Entries are welcome from tech startups, established companies, and partnerships between tech providers and accommodation entities.
Rising Star Award
Rising Star – who is the brightest talent in the PBSA sector? Who is making a difference and forging their way to the top of successful careers or businesses in this area? Who will be the next titans of the industry? This category is open to individuals that can demonstrate they are the next generation of future leaders and are delivering innovation in the student accommodation industry.
If you have joined the sector, progressed up the career ladder or launched a new business or initiative, we want to hear from you. Whether you are in development, operations, investment, agency or part of a university team, could you be our Rising Star for 2024?
Self-nominations and entries submitted on another’s behalf are both accepted for this award.
Social Impact Initiative - Student Property
Social impact has been one of the breakthrough issues of the past few years. We want to celebrate the best social impact projects and initiatives of the past year.
We are looking for an organisation or individual that has implemented, completed or committed to a ground-breaking social impact scheme, project or initiative that has had a real and measurable positive social impact on the community.
Supplier of the Year
This category recognises the exceptional contributions made by suppliers in the student accommodation sector. These suppliers play a vital role in providing products, services, and solutions that enhance the quality of student accommodation and contribute to the overall success and satisfaction of students.
The supplier should offer high-quality products that meet the diverse needs of student accommodation providers and students. This could include furniture, fixtures, fittings, appliances, technology solutions, or any other products directly related to enhancing the student living experience.
University Team of the Year
From housing management, academic support, financial advice to pastoral care, student accommodation teams have a crucial role to play in the wellbeing of students and their university experience.
Please note that this category is open to university accommodation teams only, who are able to demonstrate exceptional levels of care and support to students on all their housing matters.
University Halls of Residence Award
The UK has a long tradition of university halls of residence, but most were built for another, pre-internet era, utilitarian in design and built, with little or no communal spaces. Many universities have undergone massive transformations, and today’s best halls of residence align with the demands of Gen-Z, focusing on digital and networked aspects, and learning and social cohesion, with the student experience and their wellbeing prioritised throughout. They offer choice in accommodation options and are creative and innovative in their student offering. They are highly rated by students and offer a slice of home away from home.
The category is open to single university halls of residence, which may include more than one building, but will form part of a single site. You can enter either a new scheme or a refurbishment site, and the entry can be submitted both by a university or a private partner that has developed the site in partnership with or on behalf of the university.
Unsung Hero Award
The award will go to an outstanding individual on the frontline of delivery, whose voice may not be often heard, but whose presence makes their halls a special place. From chefs, gardeners, cleaners, concierges, receptionists and other frontline staff, this accolade is for an exceptional colleague who goes an extra mile to make your halls a better place.
Individuals nominated for this special accolade will need to work for halls of residence, either in university-run or private halls.
Young Student Accommodation Personality of the Year
*NEW CATEGORY*
This award is dedicated to recognising the exceptional contributions of a young professional in the student accommodation sector. It celebrates individuals under the age of 35 who have shown remarkable initiative, leadership, innovation, and impact in improving the quality, inclusivity, and sustainability of student housing. This award aims to spotlight emerging talents who not only excel in their roles but also inspire others by setting new standards for excellence and innovation in the field.
Entrants must be under the age of 35 as of 01 July 2024 and can include entrepreneurs, managers, researchers, or any professionals working within the student accommodation sector.
Hall of Fame
Entries are not accepted to this category. A shortlist will be chosen by all judges who take part in the category judging, and the winner determined by an anonymous ballot. The winner will then be announced during the Awards ceremony.
emap are proud members of isla.
isla is a non-profit organisation founded as the event industry’s response to the climate crisis. Founded by 12 agencies, isla is an action driven network. It brings together expertise from across the entire events sector, provides resources and training and has developed tools to support and deliver industry wide standardisation and best practice on sustainable practices.
