View source for National Student Housing Survey

{{Infobox magazine
|title         = National Student Housing Survey
|image_file    =
|image_size    = 
|image_caption = 
|frequency     = Biannual
|category      = [[Higher education]]
|company       = Red Brick Research
|country       = {{UK}} {{flagcountry|Ireland}}
|language      = [[English language|English]], [[Welsh language|Welsh]], [[Irish language|Irish]], [[Simplified Chinese language|Chinese]], [[Arabic language|Arabic]],
[[German language|German]], [[Hindi language|Hindi]], [[Malay language|Malay]], [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]]
|website       = [http://www.nshs.co.uk National Student Housing Survey]
[http://www.nshs.ie National Student Housing Survey Ireland]
|issn          = 
}}
The '''National Student Housing Survey''' ('''NSHS''') is an independent survey of students in higher education. The survey focuses on the student accommodation experience at university and within private sector accommodation. The survey launched in 2007 and is run by Red Brick Research.<ref name="Red Brick Research National Student Housing Survey">{{cite web|url=https://www.redbrickresearch.co.uk/clients/nshs/#anchor|title= Red Brick Research National Student Housing Survey|publisher= Red Brick Research |accessdate=18 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="Lancaster University voted top for halls of residence">{{cite web|url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/lancaster-voted-top-for-halls-of-residence/2014703.article|title=Lancaster University voted top for halls of residence| publisher=[[Times Higher Education]] |accessdate=2015-02-19}}</ref> In 2014, over 60 UK Higher Education Institutions and 21 Private Hall Providers actively took part in the survey.<ref name="Lancaster University voted top for halls of residence" /><ref name="NSHS">{{cite web|url=http://www.nshs.co.uk/| title= NSHS| accessdate=2015-02-19}}</ref> The survey also saw around 19 000 responses across 130 different nationalities from more than 200 UK universities and colleges.<ref name="UWE wins global accommodation praise">{{cite web| url=http://universitybusiness.co.uk/Article/uwe_wins_global_accommodation_praise|title=UWE wins global accommodation praise| publisher=University Business |accessdate=19 February 2015}}</ref> In 2016, survey responses had increased to over 33,000 student responses.<ref name="Over 33,000 students rate halls in annual survey"/>

The project aims to provide higher education institutions with the necessary information and analysis needed to support planning and decision making in the provision of accommodation to students.<ref name="National Student Housing Survey – Did you make your mark?">{{cite web| url= http://newcastle.victoriahall.com/national-student-housing-survey-did-you-make-your-mark/|title= National Student Housing Survey – Did you make your mark?|publisher=[[Victoria Hall Limited|Victoria Halls]]|accessdate=20 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="NSHS Info Pack">{{cite web| url=http://www.nshs.co.uk/#download_form|title= NSHS Info Pack | publisher= Red Brick Research |accessdate=20 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="Students name Sunderland's accommodation greenest in UK">{{cite web| url=http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/newsevents/news/news/index.php?nid=1754|title= Students name Sunderland's accommodation greenest in UK| publisher=University of Sunderland |accessdate=20 February 2015}}</ref> The NSHS is also used by student accommodation providers to help improve and measure their accommodation offering against mission groups, geographical regions and competitors.<ref name="UWE wins global accommodation praise"/><ref name="NSHS Info Pack"/><ref name="Best Private Halls Provider 2012">{{cite web| url=http://www.victoriahall.com/2012/07/17/best-private-halls-provider-2012/|title= Best Private Halls Provider 2012| publisher=[[Victoria Hall Limited|Victoria Halls]]|accessdate=20 February 2015}}</ref>

Over the last few years the survey had shown an increase in student isolation, a decline in student community and a desire for good internet access.<ref name="Students working harder under 9k fees">{{cite web|url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/students-working-harder-under-9k-fees-survey-suggests/2007542.article|title= Students 'working harder' under 9k fees| publisher=[[Times Higher Education]] |accessdate=19 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="STUDENTS WORKING HARDER WITH HIGHER FEES">{{cite web| url=http://sqmagazine.co.uk/2013/09/students-working-harder-with-higher-fees-study-says/|title= STUDENTS WORKING HARDER WITH HIGHER FEES| publisher= SQ Magazine |accessdate=19 February 2015}}</ref><ref name=" Student Accommodation ViewPoint CBRE ">{{cite web| url =http://www.cbre.co.uk/researchreportviewer/servlet/ReportViewerServlet?p_activity=show_document&p_document_id=41825593|title= Student Accommodation ViewPoint CBRE | publisher=[[CBRE Group]] |accessdate=19 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="Internet more important than location">{{cite web|url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/Internet-important-location/story-13259301-detail/story.html/|title=Internet more important than location| publisher=[[Nottingham Post]] |accessdate=19 February 2015}}</ref> The 2013 survey revealed that only 36% of students felt there was a strong sense of student community in comparison to 43% in 2012.<ref name="Students working harder under 9k fees"/> The survey has also found that since the introduction of [[Tuition fees in the United Kingdom|higher student tuition fees]] students have been working harder and socialising less.<ref name=" Students’ sense of community ‘on the slide">{{cite web| url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/students-sense-of-community-on-the-slide-research-suggests/2014922.article|title= Students' sense of community 'on the slide | publisher=[[Times Higher Education]] |accessdate=19 February 2015}}</ref>

The NSHS 2015 reversed recent trends revealing an increase in ‘strong sense student community’ from 42% of students in 2014 to 56% in 2015.<ref name="NSHS: Students feel sense of community">{{cite web| url= http://flickread.com/edition/html/index.php?pdf=55ffdc6846f17#22 |title= NSHS: Students feel sense of community| publisher=University Business |page=21| accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> It was also reported that there was a general increase in student satisfaction.<ref name="Lancaster University voted top for halls of residence"/>

== Ireland ==

In 2017, the survey launched in the [[Republic of Ireland]] due to significant growth in the Irish student accommodation market and a highlighted need for student feedback in the Irish government's National Student Accommodation Strategy.<ref name="Student accommodation survey arrives in Ireland">{{cite web|url= http://universitybusiness.co.uk/Article/student-accommodation-survey-arrives-in-ireland|title= Student accommodation survey arrives in Ireland| publisher= University Business |accessdate=2018-01-19}}</ref>

== Awards ==

There were a total of 10 national awards in the 2014 survey covering topics such as customer experience, the cost of accommodation and environmental responsibility.<ref name="National Survey of Student Housing, LandlordZONE">{{cite web|url=http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/national-survey-of-student-housing|title=National Survey of Student Housing, LandlordZONE|publisher=[[LandlordZONE]] | accessdate=19 February 2015}}</ref> The headline awards are the awards for Best University Halls, Best Private Hall Provider, Best Customer Service and Best Value for Money.<ref name="NSHS Info Pack"/> In 2015 a new award for Best Student Community was launched the inaugural winner of the award was [[Swansea University]].<ref name="NSHS: Students feel sense of community"/><ref name="Swansea University walks away with national Best Student Community award">{{cite web| url=http://www.swansea.ac.uk/science/news/swanseauniversitywalksawaywithnationalbeststudentcommunityaward.php|title= Swansea University walks away with national Best Student Community award| publisher=[[Swansea University]] |accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> In the 2016 survey [[Edge Hill University]] won the Award for Best University Halls and the Student Housing Company was the Best Private Halls Provider.<ref name="Over 33,000 students rate halls in annual survey">{{cite web| url=http://universitybusiness.co.uk/Article/over-33000-students-rate-halls-in-annual-survey|title= Over 33,000 students rate halls in annual survey| publisher= University Business |accessdate=9 August 2016}}</ref>

In 2017, [[Lancaster University]] secured the award for Best University Halls, while Edge Hill University and [[Durham University]] won the awards for Best Value for Money and Best Student Community respectively.<ref name="The best of Student Accommodation 2017">{{cite web|url= http://universitybusiness.co.uk/Article/the-best-of-student-accommodation-2017|title=The best of Student Accommodation 2017 | publisher= University Business |accessdate=2018-01-19}}</ref> The Student Housing Company, also set a new record in 2017 winning the award for Best Private Hall provider for four consecutive years.<ref name="The student housing company named best halls provider">{{cite web|url= http://universitybusiness.co.uk/Article/the-student-housing-company-named-best-halls-provide|title=The student housing company named best halls provider| publisher= University Business |accessdate=2018-01-19}}</ref>

Other awards include:

*Best Booking Experience
*Best Moving in Experience
*Best Individual Accommodation
*Best Student Broadband<ref name=" StudentComs award winning broadband">{{cite web| url=http://edquarter.com/Article/studentcoms_award_winning_broadband|title= StudentComs award winning broadband | publisher= edquarter |accessdate=19 February 2015}}</ref>
*Best Environmental Management
*Best Learning Environment

== International Accommodation Quality Mark ==

In 2011 an international quality mark was introduced to provide a standard for international student accommodation. The mark is awarded to organisations who achieve at least a 90% positive satisfaction rating from international students.<ref name="Lancaster University voted top for halls of residence"/><ref name="National Survey of Student Housing, LandlordZONE"/><ref name="University guide 2015: Lancaster University">{{cite web| url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/may/10/universityguide-lancaster-uni|title= University guide 2015: Lancaster University | publisher=[[The Guardian]] |accessdate=20 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="NSHS Awards 2016">{{cite web| url=http://www.nshs.co.uk/awards-2016.html|title= NSHS 2016 Awards | publisher= NSHS|accessdate=9 August 2016}}</ref>

== Previous Award Winners ==

It has been reported that [[Lancaster University]] won the award for Best University Halls six years running. Winning in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013,2014 and 2015.<ref name="University guide 2015: Lancaster University"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/accommodation/awards/ |title=Our Award-Winning Accommodation |publisher=[[Lancaster University]] |accessdate=2015-02-18}}</ref><ref name="Universities with the best student">{{cite web| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationpicturegalleries/11000471/Universities-with-the-best-student-halls.html?frame= |title= Universities with the best student| publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |accessdate=19 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lep.co.uk/news/education/on-the-up-applications-to-lancashire-s-top-universities-rocket-1-7151914|title=ON THE UP: Applications to Lancashire's top universities rocket |publisher=[[Lancashire Evening Post]] |accessdate=2015-03-12}}</ref><ref name="The top 10 universities for accommodation">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/11768720/The-top-10-universities-for-accommodation.html?frame=3368322|title= The top 10 universities for accommodation|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> ''[[Times Higher Education]]'' reports that other 2014 award winners included; The Student Housing Company, the Guy Chester Centre, the University of Derby and Victoria Hall Wolverhampton.<ref name="Lancaster University voted top for halls of residence"/>

According to [[Rankings of universities in the United Kingdom|The Guardian University Guide]] 2011, the University of Essex received the award for Best University Halls in 2009.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Guardian University Guide 2011|date=2011|publisher=The Guardian|isbn=978-0-85265-216-9|page=280|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kqTY23sHG1MC&q=nshs+national+student+housing+survey+the+observer&pg=PA280|accessdate=20 February 2015}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Higher education data]]
[[Category:Higher education in the United Kingdom]]