Summary:
When residence life and accommodation teams create intentional opportunities for connection, students are more likely to be satisfied with their time at university. It’s not just teaching quality that makes a difference at university. Where students live and whether or not they feel like they are part of a community also affect their overall university experience. Recent research shows that student accommodation impacts belonging, satisfaction, and students’ perception of their course’s financial value.
Two students can attend the same university, study the same course, and sit in the same lectures, yet have completely different experiences. A recent report from the Higher Education Policy Institute found that a sense of belonging, a connection to community, and the quality of student accommodation all shape their university experience.
In this blog post, we’ll look at what current research says about student accommodation and the steps residence life teams can take to help students truly feel like they belong.
Student Satisfaction Comes from More Than Teaching Quality
When discussing student satisfaction at university, most people think about teaching quality first. That’s certainly one of the most important factors, but it’s not the only part of the university student experience that matters.
According to a new report from the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), student belonging also influences students’ overall experience at university.
The HEPI report collected responses from over 10,000 undergraduate students each year between 2006 and 2025.
The report states, “A strong sense of belonging and an inclusive campus are nearly as vital to students as teaching quality … This shows that a student’s experience goes beyond course content: going to university is also about feeling part of a community.”
How Student Accommodation Supports Student Belonging
The HEPI report found that “students residing with family or in university-owned halls were more likely to report positive experiences compared to those living in non-university halls or private shared accommodation.”
The report also notes that term-time accommodation is one of the factors that contribute to a student’s expectation of their university experience. Other factors include: fee status, number of hours worked during term time, care leaver status, sex, ethnicity, distance travelled to campus, and estrangement from parents.
Where students live then does matter, and they need to develop a sense of belonging where they live.
A sense of belonging doesn’t automatically happen when students live in the same hall of residence. Having a flatmate or passing other students in the corridor every day is not the same as feeling connected to a community.
If staff members intentionally create opportunities for students to connect, they can make student accommodation a place where students feel like they belong.
Here are some of the ways that help day to day:
- Approachable student accommodation staff who make themselves visible around the halls
- Fun, no-pressure opportunities to meet other students
- Everyday interactions like chats and quick check-ins
- Shared routines like cooking, cleaning, or watching a show in a common area
- Meetups to learn financial skills, stress management, and wellbeing strategies
For many students, term-time accommodation is their first time living without family, so it can be either an exciting or a challenging transition. Without these moments of connection, students can start to feel isolated.
The higher education policy website Wonke explained the importance of UK residence life programmes to build community in university halls or student unions. “Originally these programmes were designed to encourage students to meet, socialise and play sport, but in the last few years have become increasingly important for universities who see it as a way of supporting students, combating dropout rates, enhancing student safety and welfare, and promoting positive mental health.”
Why Arrivals Weekend Has a Lasting Effect
When students move from home and into the university environment, arrivals weekend can have a significant impact on their overall experience.
The 2025 Building Connections report from GSL and CUBO explains just how important the first weekend in accommodation can be.
They share, “Students who report a ‘very good’ moving-in experience are significantly more likely to form close friendships, enjoy socialising, and feel a strong sense of community. Meanwhile, a bad moving-in experience has a severely negative impact, with students 7 times more likely to disagree that they enjoy socialising in their accommodation, or they feel a sense of community, and 9 times more likely to disagree that they feel a sense of belonging.”
Because this is often a student’s first interaction with other students in accommodation, it can influence how supported and connected they feel going forward. A smooth check-in process, opportunities for students to start connecting, and a clear way to access support are all part of a positive moving-in experience.
Student Accommodation and Value for Money
According to the HEPI report, 19% of students said that “quality of accommodation” contributes to the value for money of their university experience.
The report also notes that students planning to live at home during their course rose from 22% in 2016 to 31% in 2025.
For students who live in university accommodation, their experience has to feel like it’s worth the money they are paying. They need to feel like they are getting something in return. Residence life programmes that build community give students a reason to stay engaged not only in their halls of residence but the university experience as a whole.
Residence Life Programmes Need to Be Strategic
A research report from the University of Bath states that “Residence Life contributes to an institution’s financial stability, supporting universities in student recruitment, retention and student success; developing partnerships; and managing reputation. Residence Life and accommodation play a strategic role in a university’s decision-making process.”
The recent GSL Index shows that moving-in scores dropped 2% for university halls, and that student wellbeing indicators also worsened.
GSL also noted, “While the proportion of students reporting a strong sense of community in their accommodation is trending upwards – a positive sign – the number of students forming close friendships is trending downwards.”
It’s even more important then for university accommodation and residence life teams to support students from the start. Programmes should create meaningful opportunities for student engagement in higher education and help students develop meaningful personal connections.
How eRezLife Can Help
eRezLife is built specifically for university accommodation and residence life teams. Our student housing management software does the administrative work for you. It organises everything in one place and automates workflows, whether it’s related to room assignments, residence life, room condition reporting, staff selection, or university life.
eRezLife helps you understand your student’s experience, allowing you to better allocate housing, resources, and support to ensure an optimal student experience.Our team worked in accommodation and residence life, so we understand the work you do day to day. We designed our tools to be affordable, incredibly easy-to-use, and configurable without needing to involve your IT team. Not only that, but it’s simple to switch over from another system and get started quickly.
We’re here to help you focus on what matters most: helping you create a positive university experience for your students.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does student accommodation affect the university student experience?
Where students live affects how connected they feel to university life. Research shows that students in university-managed halls report more positive experiences than those in private shared accommodation because of the community and support around them. Students also report that quality of accommodation is related to how they feel about the value of their education.
What is a residence life programme?
A residence life programme is an intentional way to build community in student accommodation. It can include social events, wellbeing support, and everyday opportunities for students to connect with each other and with staff.
How does the moving-in experience affect student belonging?
Students who have a positive moving-in experience are more likely to form connections and feel like they are part of a community. A poor moving-in experience can impact student engagement in higher education and their overall university experience.
How does eRezLife support student accommodation and residence life teams in the UK?
eRezLife is student housing management software built specifically for accommodation and residence life teams. It handles room assignments, room condition reporting, staff selection, and university life communications, so teams can spend less time on administrative work and more time supporting students.
