2019 Categories


    Nominations for the Student Accommodation Awards are now closed. The shortlist will be announced soon. 


    Don't forget to secure your place or table to the Awards, held on Wednesday 11 December. Don't delay - tables always sell out!

    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.
    This category is now closed

    You will need to provide 750 words on the criteria below, and you will also be able to submit PDFs/Docs of supporting material.

    What the judges are looking for:

    • Demonstrable evidence of a range of professional work you do, such as market valuations, development appraisals and benchmarking, portfolio strategy, operator selection and related
    • Track record of successful transactions over the last 12 months (beginning of September 2018 - 2019)
    • An outline of specialist areas you have developed - these could be anything from feasibility studies to advice on functional suitability, learning environments, and space planning
    • Evidence of strong client focus and positive client feedback –  for instance via testimonials, case studies or media coverage
    • A brief summary outlining why you feel you should win the award

    Collaboration of the Year

    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.
    This category is now closed

    When entering the award, please ensure to specify all parties in the collaboration, the nature of the partnership and its objectives.

    You will need to provide 750 words on the criteria below and you will also be able to submit PDFs/Docs of supporting material. 

    What the judges are looking for:

    • Evidence of genuine collaboration between the private and university sectors over the past two years
    • Creativity and vision in aligning interests and creating end-results that work for each party
    • Positive outcomes of collaboration - such as strong financial results, significantly improved quality of accommodation/number of beds, excellent student feedback, etc.
    • Demonstrable evidence of positive impact on student life
    • A robust business model and financial forecasts
    • A summary of why you feel you should win

    Developer of the Year

    Exceptional student accommodation developers demonstrate that quality can be achieved within budgetary and time constraints, while not compromising on creating optimal living environments.  Through cutting-edge design, communal and social facilities and a strong focus on technology, the best developers place students at the heart of their strategy.  They combine optimal locations, the latest inbuilt and facilities design while ensuring a strong financial performance.
    This category is now closed

    The category is open to all outstanding developers of student accommodation who have:

    • Developed a student accommodation project between January 2018 and November 2019
    • Delivered a flagship scheme that significantly contributes to a local student community
    • Implemented the latest techniques or approaches in design, sustainability and/or social infrastructure
    • Created original and covetable places in which to live and study

    Does your company’s development have what it takes to win? If it does, tell us why in 750 words or less.

    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 recognize 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.
    This category is now closed

    The judges will be looking for a company that:

    • Invested in a new development or redevelopment project over the past 18 months
    • Made investments in a student housing scheme committed to providing the latest in facilities, design and/or technology
    • Possesses a deep understanding of the student accommodation market
    • Shown financial innovation in student accommodation deals in 2018
    • Has a proven track record of investing in best-in-class student accommodation projects

    Do you think you are the investor of the year? If so, tell us why in 750 words or less.

    Innovation of the Year

    The award is aimed at companies or individuals that are using innovation to create an outstanding student experience.  They may be technology companies with cutting-edge solutions, architects with groundbreaking design concepts, smart energy companies, or start-ups offering truly innovative solutions to the sector’s challenges. Whatever your specialism, you will be challenging the status quo and taking the industry to the next level.

    If you have done something particularly innovative or game-changing in any area of student living over the past 12 months we’d like to hear from you.
    This category is now closed

    You will need to provide 750 words on the criteria below and you will also be able to submit PDFs/Docs of supporting material. 

    What the judges are looking for:

    • Evidence of genuine innovation in the past year
    • Creativity and vision in creating a solution that addresses a specific need or significantly improves student life
    • A robust business model and financial forecast
    • Evidence of strong engagement with the student body
    • Evidence of a strong and potentially transformative impact on student life
    • A summary of why you feel you should win

    Does your product have what it takes to win? If it does, tell us why in 750 words or less.

    Private Halls of Residence of the Year

    The best private halls of residence are aligned with the demands of the millennials, focusing on digital and networked aspects, fostering learning and social cohesion and student wellbeing. They offer a variety and choice in accommodation options and are creative and innovative in amenities and communal spaces they provide. 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.
    This category is now closed

    Judges will be looking to see the evidence of the following:

    • A modern student environment, encompassing best-in-class learning, design and communal facilities
    • Exceptional student experience -  a mix of well-being, learning and social/community aspects 
    • Evidence of different accommodation options to give choice and offer value for money
    • Strong student support network and/or pastoral care
    • Evidence of consistently high satisfaction ratings by students

    Do your private halls of residence meet these criteria? If they do, tell us why in 750 words or less.

    University Halls of Residence of the Year

    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. Over the past decade, many universities have undergone a massive transformation refurbishing their existing campuses and building new halls.

    Today’s best university halls of residence are aligned with the demands of the millennials, focusing on digital and networked aspects, and learning and social cohesion. 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. 
    This category is now closed

    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.

    Judges will be looking to see the evidence of the following:

    • A modern student environment, encompassing best-in-class  learning, design and communal facilities
    • Exceptional student experience -  a mix of well-being, learning and social/community aspects 
    • Evidence of different accommodation options  to give choice and offer value for money
    • Strong student support network  and pastoral care
    • Consistently high satisfaction ratings by students
    •  Innovation, vision and boldness that set them apart from the crowd

    All entrants will be automatically be entered into the Halls of Residence (overall) of the Year category and the winner will be announced on 12 December.

    Do your halls of residences meet the criteria? If they do, tell us why in 750 words or less.

    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.
    This category is now closed

    Entrants need to show evidence the following:

    • Compliance with the regulations set out in the Universities UK (UUK) Code of Practice for the Management of Student Housing
    • High levels of student satisfaction amongst students for support and care provided
    • Examples of initiatives and/or schemes that have enhanced the student experience

    Does your team meet the criteria? If it does, tell us why in 750 words or less

    Unsung Hero of the Year

    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.
    This category is now closed

    Tell us in 750 words or less why your colleague deserves this special accolade. Individuals nominated will need to work for halls of residence, both university-run and private halls.

    Operator of the Year

    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. 
    This category is now closed

    The category is open to any operator of student accommodation that:

    • Is accredited by ANUK
    • Creates student-centric environments with outstanding learning, social and recreational facilities
    • Offers excellent customer services, on-site assistance, and support
    • Has implemented the latest in digital and IT infrastructure
    • Provides a range of rental options and rates, and exceptional value for money

    Does your company meet these criteria and should you be our winner? If it does, tell us why in 750 words or less.

    Professional Team of the Year (excluding agents)

    From planning support and development, funding and investment, to operational and management matters, expert advice and consultancy are key to navigating the complex student accommodation terrain.  In many ways, the success of a student accommodation scheme will depend on robust financial management and strategic planning of facilities to align them with local universities and meet students’ needs.
    This category is now closed

    The category is open to any professional advisory team - financial, agency, legal – that has provided an exceptional counsel to a student accommodation scheme over the past twelve months and has achieved at least one of the following:

    • Identified innovative funding and investment opportunities through JVs, partnerships and financial modeling
    • Managed estate strategy, asset management and procurement services
    • Structured leases, nomination agreements and contracts
    • Created strategies to lower carbon footprint, drive sustainability and energy efficiency

    Does your team meet the criteria? If it does, tell us why in 750 words or less.

    Personality of the Year

    The award will go to an outstanding individual who has made an impressive mark on the sector over the past twelve months.

    Please note that the judges themselves will nominate candidates for the personality of the year award.

    Examples of why an individual may be awarded personality of the year include:

    • The introduction of a fresh and innovative student initiative that has improved student well-being, access to learning, social cohesion or related
    • The creation of a well thought out and successful solution to a specific student housing issue
    • A product or service that has received excellent student feedback
    • The demonstration of leadership, fairness, and flair in dealings with colleagues,  partners and students alike
    This category is now closed
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