Student feedback gathered from the latest wave of the GSL Index (2024 Q4), has highlighted the best performing universities and private student housing operators in the UK & Ireland and in Europe when it comes to supporting students through the booking process and settling into their new accommodation.
A record 45,000 students and counting across more than 200 universities and colleges have taken part so far in the survey which measures all aspects of the student living experience. Data from this ‘entry’ wave of the survey is used to calculate the Best Booking Experience and Best Moving In Experience categories in the Global Student Living Awards for the UK & Ireland and Europe. Feedback gathered in the upcoming ‘exit’ wave will determine the Finalists and Winners of all other award categories. Winners of all awards will be announced after the GSL Live conference on 16th October in London.
Meet the finalists
Collegiate Europe
https://www.collegiate-ac.com/
The 2024 winners of Best Booking Experience, the European arm of the Collegiate student housing brand have once again been nominated in this category for the 2025 Awards.
Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC Group commented:
“Being recognized once again for Best Booking Experience at Collegiate Milan North is a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering seamless, student-first experiences. At Collegiate, we strive to set the gold standard in student living, and this nomination highlights the dedication of our team to innovation and excellence.”
CX
As a fourth-time finalist for Best Moving In Experience (Europe), CX are once again demonstrating their high standards in supporting students during the early days.
Derwent Students
https://www.derwentstudents.com/
A 2024 nominee for the Small Operator category, Derwent Students have kept standards high and this year been nominated for Best Moving In Experience (UK & Ireland).
A spokesperson for Derwent Students commented:
“We are delighted to be recognised as a finalist for the Best Moving In Experience Award for UK & Ireland. At Derwent Students, we are passionate about ensuring a seamless and welcoming start for all our residents, and this acknowledgment reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team. We’re thrilled to be part of the GSL Awards and look forward to celebrating with fellow finalists.”
Edge Hill University
https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/service/campus-accommodation/
A double award winner in 2024, including for the Best Moving In Experience (UK & Ireland) category, Edge Hill are not only finalists once again in the Best Moving In Experience (UK & Ireland) category for 2025, this year they’ve also been nominated for Best Booking Experience (UK & Ireland).
A spokesperson for Edge Hill University commented:
“Staff from across the University dedicate themselves year-round to ensuring students have the best possible experience—from the moment they book their accommodation to the day they move in, and throughout their time on campus. These award nominations are a testament to the exceptional efforts of our teams in making campus living seamless and welcoming.”
Fresh
Fresh are no stranger to the GSL Awards, and have clearly invested well to achieve their first nomination in the Best Booking Experience category for UK & Ireland.
Sam Smith, MD, Fresh commented:
“At Fresh, our residents are at the heart of everything we do, and their feedback is invaluable in shaping our services and experiences. Being shortlisted for the Best Booking Experience Award for the first time is a testament to the passion and dedication of our teams to make every resident feel welcomed and supported from day one. We’re absolutely thrilled to receive this recognition from GSL as we continue striving for excellence in every step of the resident journey.”
LIV Student
Winners of the 2024 Best Small Operator (UK & Ireland) award, LIV Student are continuing their success, being nominated as a finalist in the 2025 Best Moving In Experience (UK & Ireland) category.
A spokesperson for LIV Student commented:
“Being nominated for the Best Move-In Experience by the Global Student Living Awards is an incredible honour and a testament to the dedication of our Res Team. The move-in process is such a pivotal moment in a student’s journey, it sets the tone for their entire experience with us. Our team’s commitment to creating a warm, seamless, and supportive welcome ensures that students feel at home from day one. This recognition reflects their hard work, and we couldn’t be prouder. Thank you to everyone who made this possible!”
micampus residencias
https://micampusresidencias.com/
Finalists in the Best Moving In Experience category for Europe for the second year running, micampus residencias continues to deliver positive early experiences for its students across Spain and Portugal.
A spokesperson for Micampus commented:
“This award nomination reflects our commitment to create a unique experience by providing a friendly environment based on high quality and sustainable solutions, in which every student feels at home from the moment they arrive.”
Nido
Following on from back-to-back Best Private Housing (Europe) wins in 2023 and 2024, Nido are off to a strong start in 2025 as finalists in both Best Moving In Experience and Best Booking Experience categories for Europe.
A spokesperson for Nido commented:
“After winning Best Private Housing (Europe) in 2023 and 2024, we are delighted that our efforts in prioritising student experience have continued to be recognised by our customers. Our residents know they can rely on us to deliver an award-winning living experience year after year. Recognition as finalists is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Nido teams across Europe in creating welcoming and inclusive communities for our residents from the moment they engage with us.”
Novel Student
Following success in the 2024 awards, winning the Best Value for Money award for Europe and nominated in a further 7 categories across the UK and Europe, Novel Student will be represented in the 2025 awards as finalists in both the Best Booking Experience and Best Moving In Experience categories for Europe, before they cease operations at the end of 2024.
The staff have done a fantastic job in their last months representing Novel, delivering yet another positive experience for students.
Student Castle Property Management Services Ltd
https://www.studentcastle.co.uk/ & https://www.capitolstudents.com/
Representing the Student Castle and Capitol Students brands, SCPMS won the Best Private Housing (UK & Ireland) Award in 2024, and are kicking off the 2025 awards as a finalist in the Best Booking Experience category for UK & Ireland.
A spokesperson for SCPMS commented:
“Being shortlisted as a finalist for the Best Booking Experience for the third consecutive year is a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service to our students. We take immense pride in creating a student-focused booking experience that reflects the care and dedication we bring to every aspect of their journey with us. This recognition highlights our continued efforts to enhance every step to ensure our students feel supported and valued from the moment they choose us.”
THE FIZZ
Housing students across Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, THE FIZZ are now finalists for the Best Booking Experience (Europe) for the third year in a row, after winning the category in 2023, reflecting their strong and consistent performance.
Ulster University
https://www.ulster.ac.uk/accommodation
Ulster University is once again nominated as a finalist in the Best Moving In Experience award in the UK & Ireland. As their third year in a row to be nominated in this category, Ulster are showing continued dedication to providing a positive experience during their early days at university.
Gareth Kennedy, Interim Director of Campus Life, commented:
“We are delighted to see Ulster University shortlisted for the Best Moving In Experience at the Global Student Living Awards. This recognition speaks to our continued efforts in ensuring that our students feel supported and at home from the moment they arrive on campus. It is a reflection of our team’s dedication to making the transition as smooth and positive as possible for our students.”
University of Derby
https://www.derby.ac.uk/life/accommodation/
Serial winners, with a very successful history in the GSL Awards, University of Derby is off to a great start to the year, nominated in both the Best Moving In Experience and Best Booking Experience categories in the UK & Ireland. This is their fourth nomination in a row for Best Moving In Experience (UK & Ireland).
Steve Ward, Head of Accommodation Services at Derby shared shared some of the secrets to their success:
“We know that moving in can be a potentially stressful and emotionally charged experience for residents and their families, so we go the extra mile to give students the best possible start to their University journey. We recruit extra helpers and ‘welcome heroes’ on the day to give assistance and reassurance to new arrivals. We also try to anticipate any issues before people move in and provide detailed pre-arrival information, so everyone knows what’s happening and feels in control. It’s really satisfying to see it pay off when new students meet for the first time and there is a friendly vibe around the place.”
Yugo
Continuing their long-running success in the GSL Awards, Yugo are nominated as Finalists across both UK & Ireland and European award categories. Yugo are once again up for Best Booking Experience (UK & Ireland), Best Booking Experience (Europe), and Best Moving In Experience (Europe).
Joe Persechino, Chief Operating Officer, Yugo commented:
“We’re thrilled to be named finalists in the 2025 Global Student Living Awards for Best Booking Experience and Best Moving-In Experience across the UK and Europe.
At Yugo, our mission is to create extraordinary student living experiences from day one, and being recognised by students is an incredible honour. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and passion of our Yugoers, who make it all possible.”
