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.

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 [email protected]

Sign up today

Sponsors.

Research Partners.