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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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