2018 Student Accommodation Conference & Awards agenda
View the 2018 agenda and get an idea of what is in store for you in 2019
Best in class. How
do we ensure the sector graduates to the next level?
In this Question Time style debate, we bring together key experts from the world of higher education to share their thoughts on hot topics including Brexit, funding and international students.
Co-working spaces are currently disrupting the offices market, online retail has caused a seismic shift in traditional retail patterns and AirBnB is keeping the hotel industry on its toes. Is student accommodation on the precipice of similar disruption? In this Ted style talk we examine the key features of disruption and how to ride the wave when it comes along.
Evolution Streams 12:00-13:15
Please click on each of the four streams to view the content and sessions
As student accommodation continues down the path of maturity, the characteristics of the asset class are set to evolve even further. Against the backdrop of major shifts in the macro and micro environment as well as game changing consolidations and acquisitions of PBSA brands and moves into co-living, micro living and BTR - what does the future pipeline look like? In this stream we crunch the numbers, analyse the data and gauge investor sentiment. Topics that will be covered include:
• PBSA beyond the yields: market drivers and the next frontier
• Investor sentiment and appetites for the UK, EMEA and the wider globe
• New and exclusive business intelligence and data insights on global student movements, domestic and international location hotspot analysis and consumer and product analysis
• Charting the flow of money domestically and globally and gaining maximum yields in the current operating environment: supply vs demand, luxury vs midmarket vs affordable, achieving capacity vs voids.
Followed by panel discussion
In this stream we examine the type of student accommodation currently being built, why the sector needs to be flexible and innovate and how the product is set to evolve. We will highlight the current planning and development opportunities and how to overcome the challenges as well as bringing in new thoughts on construction and design that can bring down costs and increase affordability. Topics that will be covered include:
• The metamorphosis of PBSA: understanding co-living, micro living and BTR and the opportunities to diversify your portfolio
• London development opportunities: the draft London plan and policy H17 from a local authority perspective
• Regional development opportunities: examining established vs new university towns and the opportunities for development
• The future of construction: how to bring down your costs and increase affordability in student accommodation
In this session we examine student accommodation in the context of the housing crisis, affordability and local authority housing priorities.
The global student numbers race and the increased understanding of the importance of student mental wellbeing has raised the profile of student accommodation - which is now recognised as one of the core components of an appealing and competitive university offering. It has also highlighted the importance of increased collaboration between higher education institutions and private accommodation providers. In this stream you will hear from seasoned experts from the university and PBSA sectors on how the management of student accommodation is rising to the challenge and responsibilities of the new operating landscape. Topics that will be covered include:
- The student experience: new thoughts on student attraction, retention and success and the role that accommodation plays
- Mental health and wellbeing: new thoughts and data on how this will drive the next evolution of student accommodation
- The relationship between on campus infrastructure and student retention
- The internationalisation of management and operations
With a third of all students living in PBSA, there is still very little research on the impacts different modes of residence have on student retention, success and employability. In this session we examine the role of accommodation.
• Why student wellbeing needs to be higher on the agenda and how it affects building design and operations
• Designing wellbeing into buildings from the ground up
• Catering for millennials & Generation Z
• Improving nomination agreements with wellbeing in mind and to provide investor reassurance
The Innovation stream will host ‘in the round discussions’, which are designed to facilitate knowledge sharing, debate, discussion and sow the seeds that will drive innovation in student accommodation.
• Funders perspective
• Design perspective
• Lessons from the affordable housing sector
Evolution Streams 14:30-16:00
Please click on each of the four streams to view the content and sessions
In this session, Andrew Percival from UPP will provide critical analysis, insights and recommendations on the emergence of the ‘sticky campus’ and what it means for university estates and private student accommodation professionals with reference to its joint HEPI-UPP report a full day before public launch.
- Lessons from abroad
- What do the current university partnerships and collaborative approaches look like and how can this be built on?
- Prioritising mental health and wellbeing
- How are management platforms evolving?
In this session we will debate, discuss and answer questions on the impact of the proptech revolution on PBSA. Join both the tech leaders and consumers as we explore the opportunities that smart tech technology can bring to the future of multi dwelling units.
BBC analysis suggests the number of university students reaching out to mental health facilities is up by 50 per cent and the universities minister has called for students to be "supported, not mollycoddled." The question is, what does support look like? In this Ted style talk, Natasha Devon MBE will highlight the current challenges and explore the solutions. Natasha is an award winning activist and bestselling author. She comments on mental health, body image and gender and regularly speaks at Parliament and gives evidence to the Education and Health Select Committees. Natasha is a fellow of University of Wales: Aberystwyth and advises them, as well as Coventry University: London, on campus wellbeing.
In this Question Time style debate, we bring together notable figures from the PBSA world and tie together all the key topics of the day in a dynamic and interactive session.
Student Accommodation Awards
Dress code: Lounge suits
2019 Conference & awards agenda
Summary of agenda
11 December 2019
09.00 Registration
10.00 Conference begins
13.15 Lunch
17.30 Networking drinks
18.30 Awards drinks
20.00 Gala dinner
01.00 Carriages
Full agenda to be added soon - please revisit this page at a later date.
Programme subject to change: The organisers reserve the right to change the programme, speakers or venue should circumstances require.
In association with
Awards premier partner
Platinum partners
Gold partners
Silver partners
Awards category sponsor