To tackle student loneliness, PBSA must be more than just a well-run building

This commitment is also evident at an industry level. The British Property Federation lobbies policymakers on the importance of professionally managed student accommodation – championing high standards, operational quality and the role accommodation plays in supporting student well-being.

The message is clear: purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) is not just about providing beds, but about creating environments that enable students to live well. Yet our research suggests that even with these improvements, many students still struggle to feel a sense of belonging.

A total of 70% of students living in university halls told us they have felt lonely or isolated at some point, with one in three experiencing this often. Almost a third of those who feel lonely say they do not even know the people they live with. While this should not be seen as criticism of our sector, it should make us ask how we can do even more to help.

Students who reported feeling lonely or isolated often gave the following reasons:

• “I struggle to meet people outside my flat/room” – 45%
• “I spend most of my time studying or working” – 39%
• “I don’t know anyone I live with” – 29%
• “Noise or environment puts me off socialising” – 26%
• “Not feeling part of a community” – 25%

While 63% agree that their halls have good communal spaces, 70% still report feelings of isolation. This suggests that physical spaces alone, however well designed, are not enough.

The human dimension comes through in the experience of Rachel, a third-year psychology student. “In my first year I was isolated because no one in my flat wanted to speak to me. I felt really alone all the time,” she told us.

After returning from Christmas break, she remembers thinking: “I just don’t want to live here anymore.”

Experiences like Rachel’s are not uncommon. Many students live alongside others without forming meaningful connections. Others rely heavily on friendships from home, particularly in an era when technology makes it easier than ever to stay in touch. Students are also balancing part-time work, academic pressure and worries about money, meaning socialising can easily slip down the list of priorities.

When students feel at home where they live, they are far better placed to thrive academically and personally.

That belief sits behind PfP Students’ Room to Belong campaign. Its message is simple: halls of residence work best when they feel like communities, not just well-run buildings. Places where students feel comfortable reaching out, and where support feels close at hand.

A key part of this is ensuring there is always someone on site. Students’ worries do not operate on office hours. Feelings of loneliness, anxiety or homesickness often surface late at night, when lectures are over and campuses quieten down. Knowing there is a real person available – someone familiar, approachable and present – can make a meaningful difference.

“The message is clear: purpose-built student accommodation is not just about providing beds, but about creating environments that enable students to live well”

Our research supports this. Nearly eight in 10 students say access to mental health or well-being support would influence their choice of accommodation. Among those about to start university, 63% already worry about feeling lonely. Expectations are changing, and students increasingly see visible, human support as part of what good-quality housing looks like.

At PfP Students, we are building on the sector’s existing investment by committing to a 24/7 on-site presence across the halls we manage, alongside mental health first aid training for frontline staff over the longer term. This is not about replacing professional services, but about ensuring students always have someone they know nearby who can listen and help them find the right support.

Rachel’s experience shows how valuable this can be. She spoke warmly about reception staff in her building who supported her during a difficult break-up. “Having those people to speak to every morning was the reason why I came back this year,” she told us.

The student housing sector already plays a vital role in young people’s lives at a moment of huge transition. By continuing to invest not only in buildings, but in people and presence, providers can help students integrate, build confidence and feel that they truly belong.

If we want students to succeed, they need to feel secure and connected at home first. Loneliness is not inevitable. By strengthening the human side of student housing, the sector has a real opportunity to shape more positive, supportive experiences for the next generation of students.

Eamonn Tierney, managing director, PfP Students