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

Supported by:

Introducing The Student Living Monitor

The Student Living Monitor (SLM) is the first of its kind research, which examines the impact of students’ environment on their well-being and happiness. SLM was first launched in 2021 in the Netherlands. In 2023, it expanded to a Europe-wide research initiative.

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?

"These findings serve as a clarion call to universities, accommodation providers, and policy-makers alike to prioritise and enhance mental health support for students. It's imperative to invest in comprehensive mental health programs, develop inclusive accommodations, and cultivate a supportive environment that fosters well-being and resilience among students."

Kelly-anne Watson
Managing Director, The Class Foundation

Key Policy Development Areas.

Availability and Choice

Planning to develop a sufficient volume of accommodation of the right type and giving more agency to students by enabling access to more housing choices.

Engagement for Well-being

Even modest usage of in-house facilities and services (social events, gym, outdoor and communal spaces, job/mental health counselling) by students bears a relationship to better well-being scores.

Inclusive Community

Supporting students from non-traditional backgrounds and building an inclusive community is crucial for creating inclusive, safe living environments

Targeted Support

Students with low mental health scores value and use mental health services. Need for hardship funds for financially disadvantaged students.

Download the report

Full report available in English, Español, Français, Italiano, Deutsch, and Nederlands.

Sponsors.

We are pleased to collaborate with the Student Living Monitor project integrating innovative fitness solutions in student housing, empowering young minds to achieve their full potential and to underline the importance of having a healthy lifestyle at all ages.

Zig takes great pride in its sponsorship of the Student Living Monitor, a testament to our strong support for the research's fundamental objectives. We are deeply committed to comprehending students' experiences within their living environments, as this knowledge fuels our ongoing efforts to provide them with precisely tailored support.

Consortio Security Limited are proud to support the Student Wellbeing and Living Monitor, as we understand the contribution that our staff can make for the peace of mind and happiness of residents. We commend the Monitor for its importance in further raising awareness of the vitality of facilities and services in Student wellbeing.

Students have identified security measures as one of the top 5 factors with the most positive impact on their living environment, and at Eagle Eye Networks, we prioritize their safety by providing innovative solutions designed to meet this critical need. We accomplish this through our advanced AI and cloud-based video solutions, ensuring round-the-clock surveillance and rapid response capabilities. Our commitment to enhancing student safety is unwavering, reflecting our dedication to creating secure and supportive living environments.

Research Partners.

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STUDENT

LIVING

MONITOR

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

Students talking to each other

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
44
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.”

Happy Face Icon
Regarding bright light, windows

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

Happy Face Icon
Regarding friends

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

Happy Face Icon
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.”

Happy Face Icon
Regarding access to green spaces

“Recently renovated and bright apartment, my plants.”

Happy Face Icon
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. ”

Happy Face Icon
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.”

Happy Face Icon
Regarding bright light, windows

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

Happy Face Icon
Regarding friends

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

Happy Face Icon
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.”

Happy Face Icon
Regarding access to green spaces

“Recently renovated and bright apartment, my plants.”

Happy Face Icon
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. ”

Happy Face Icon
Regarding friends

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

Sad face Icon
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.”

Sad face Icon
Regarding access to green spaces

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

Sad face Icon
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.”

Sad face Icon
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).”

Sad face Icon
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.”

Sad face Icon
Regarding bright light, windows

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

Sad face Icon
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.”

Sad face Icon
Regarding access to green spaces

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

Sad face Icon
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.”

Sad face Icon
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).”

Sad face Icon
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.”

Sad face Icon
Regarding bright light, windows

Our partners.

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“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 [email protected]

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Sponsors.

Research Partners.