STUDENT

LIVING

MONITOR

A pan-European survey measuring the impact of students’ living environment on their well-being and happiness.

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Introducing The Student Living Monitor

The European Student Living Monitor (SLM) is the first of its kind research, which examines the impact of accommodation on student experience. SLM was first launched in 2021 in the Netherlands. In 2023, it expanded to a Europe-wide research initiative. For its second edition, SLM has gathered nearly 11,000 responses, bringing you deeper insights on student living, and highlighting the crucial role PBSA and university residences play in impacting student experience and success.
Essentially, the survey is driven by two guiding questions:
‍
- Do certain facilities and/or services have a positive effect on student wellbeing?

- Which students have the best living experience and what are the drivers behind this?

The Student Living Monitor aims to identify the fundamental components that impact the quality of student life, such as access to certain facilities, services, and amenities in their living environment. Through this pursuit, we aim to uncover the challenges that result in poor well-being and lower levels of happiness among students. With the statistical evidence gathered from the research, our ambition is to enhance student happiness, experience and elevate social impact.

Over

17,000

respondents

Average score of

58.3

using MHI-5 scale

Across

countries

Identifying key well-being drivers, powered by AI

“It’s nice and modern with big windows and high ceilings. I even have a view from one spot. Makes me feel better than I would elsewhere.”

Regarding bright light, windows

“I am very stressed because of studies but my friends help me a lot.”

Regarding friends

“There is a lot of green space around which helps a bit when I’m feeling down.”

Regarding access to green space

“I have easy access to a lot of green space. There is a small forest and lake nearby. Access to nature is hugely important to me.”

Regarding access to green spaces

“Recently renovated and bright apartment, my plants.”

Regarding bright light, windows

“University is stressful and there are very high expectations. But I’m lucky to have friends who are able to reassure me and with whom discussions are always positive. ”

Regarding friends

“It’s nice and modern with big windows and high ceilings. I even have a view from one spot. Makes me feel better than I would elsewhere.”

Regarding bright light, windows

“I am very stressed because of studies but my friends help me a lot.”

Regarding friends

“There is a lot of green space around which helps a bit when I’m feeling down.”

Regarding access to green space

“I have easy access to a lot of green space. There is a small forest and lake nearby. Access to nature is hugely important to me.”

Regarding access to green spaces

“Recently renovated and bright apartment, my plants.”

Regarding bright light, windows

“University is stressful and there are very high expectations. But I’m lucky to have friends who are able to reassure me and with whom discussions are always positive. ”

Regarding friends

“We are not really friends with my flatmates so it makes it a bit difficult sometimes.”

Regarding friends

“I would like to have a nature view from my window while I’m on my desk. Also, there’s no proper ventilation so it gets hot inside during the summer, and no bug screen on the window, so I can’t keep them open either.”

Regarding access to green spaces

“Zero fresh air. No windows to open at all.”

Regarding bright light, windows

“The University haven’t been welcoming at all, and it has been very hard to make friends with people my age.”

Regarding friends

“I LOVE the green areas and the nature close by and my terrasse (good things), but the dorm is too far away (so no top grade for it).”

Regarding access to green spaces

“Windows don’t open - no airflow, sun shining directly in room all day making it unbearably hot - constantly gives me migraines and dizziness.”

Regarding bright light, windows

“We are not really friends with my flatmates so it makes it a bit difficult sometimes.”

Regarding friends

Regarding access to green spaces

“Zero fresh air. No windows to open at all.”

Regarding bright light, windows

“The University haven’t been welcoming at all, and it has been very hard to make friends with people my age.”

Regarding friends

“I LOVE the green areas and the nature close by and my terrasse (good things), but the dorm is too far away (so no top grade for it).”

Regarding access to green spaces

“Windows don’t open - no airflow, sun shining directly in room all day making it unbearably hot - constantly gives me migraines and dizziness.”

Regarding bright light, windows

Read the latest research & insights

SLM Report 2024

In this report, you will find through our 4 main focus areas, Availability and Choice, Services and Facilities, Living and community, and Targeted Support, the following key aspects covered

Identifying the services and facilities that have the greatest impact on student well-being

Strategies for providing better support to non-traditional students

Insight into the happiness index of students across different housing typologies

Policy recommendations for operators, investors, city leaders

Read 2024 Report

Open Data Dashboard Scores By Country

Download Our 2023 Report

Our partners.

View all

“This survey demonstrates the unique role of accommodation environments in student mental health and well-being. Therefore, accommodation providers should design places that facilitate community, a sense of togetherness, and belonging, and accommodation teams should facilitate a sense of community. Taken together, cultivating environments and communities that are supportive of mental health and well-being is crucial in higher education housing”

Frank Uffen

Co-Founder, The Class Foundation

“With the Student Living Monitor, we aim to identify the fundamental components that impact the quality of student life, such as access to certain facilities, services, and amenities in their living environment. Through this pursuit, we aim to uncover the challenges that result in poor well-being and lower levels of happiness among students. With the statistical evidence gathered from the research, our ambition is to enhance student happiness, experience and elevate social impact.”

Kelly-anne Watson

Managing Director, The Class Foundation

“Every year, thousands of students embark on the journey of discovery through participation in mobility. Mobile learners have the chance to immerse themselves in new cultures, navigate unfamiliar education systems, and develop the skills necessary to confront challenges. Unfortunately, finding accommodation at the hosting destination has continuously become one of the biggest challenges international students face upon their arrival.

Erasmus Student Network

SLM Research Partner

Join us on our journey

Interested in getting involved or curious to learn more? Please contact our Research Manager, Arunima Dey at arunima@theclassfoundation.com

STUDENT

LIVING

MONITOR

Introducing The Student Living Monitor

Identifying key well-being drivers, powered by AI

SLM Report 2024

Our partners.

Join us on our journey

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