As we complete the GSL Index Autumn wave (2025 Q4), the data highlight evolving dynamics in the student accommodation sector, with notable shifts in satisfaction levels between university and private halls, and emerging concerns about student wellbeing that warrant attention.
Once again, we have exceeded the number of responses achieved in previous Autumn waves, making this the largest ever entry wave of the GSL Index. With accommodation continuing to play a vital role in where students choose to study, these trends should not be overlooked.
University halls close the satisfaction gap
Last Autumn, satisfaction levels rose across both university and private halls, with private halls seeing the largest increase and moving back ahead of university halls. This Autumn, we see a reversal of this trend. While satisfaction levels remain largely consistent overall, university halls have made gains, whilst satisfaction in private accommodation has declined slightly.
The GSL Index score reveals that private halls continue to outperform university halls (75.5 vs. 72.6), with the gap opening up again this wave. Overall satisfaction and Net Promoter Score (NPS) have remained largely consistent across the sector, suggesting a period of consolidation.
Most GSL Index measures show consistency, but there are some notable movements. Environmental impact has improved significantly across the sector, suggesting that increased focus on sustainability is resonating with students. However, internet and condition and quality have both seen small drops in performance, suggesting that these are areas for renewed attention.
Student search priorities remain focused on location and budget
Proximity to place of study continues to be the most important factor when students choose where to live, with budget/price remaining the second most influential consideration. Interestingly, budget is significantly more important for residents in university halls than private accommodation, reflecting different price sensitivities between the two markets.
Bedroom specifications and availability of an en-suite rank as the third and fourth priorities. However, the factors that follow reveal important differences between university and private hall residents. Softer considerations – such as whether accommodation feels right and access to a vibrant social life – are more important for students in university halls. Meanwhile, the ability to choose their room or flatmates has become increasingly important for private hall residents.
Booking and moving-in experiences continue to decline
The booking and moving-in experience scores have both deteriorated further in this wave, continuing a concerning trend.
Booking scores are significantly lower than last Autumn, with declines across both private and university halls. However, in this wave, the drop has been most pronounced in private accommodation.
Concerningly, more students reported not being able to choose where they live this wave, a trend driven primarily by students in university accommodation, with 1 in 10 reporting they had no choice in where they live. Student comments reveal the significance of this issue, with many expressing frustrations about the lack of agency in their accommodation assignment and a clear desire for specialist accommodation options:
There was little opportunity to choose a specific building and room, and I only found out the room on the day.
One improvement would be the ability to choose my room and flat preferences, such as the type of room I want. That could be a great and helpful thing.
I would like to be able to choose with whom I live. As a pure vegetarian, I had a problem with sharing my kitchen with people who cook non-veg. So next time, please consider keeping all the veg students together because for some people, that is really important as it is their religious beliefs.
I would allow people to choose between postgraduate and undergraduate flatmates
The only thing I would improve is that there doesn’t seem to be the option of designated “quiet” floors or single sex floors
Moving-in scores have also dropped. Private halls saw a 1% decline, while university halls experienced a 2% drop. Declines in performance ratings for ease of finding the accommodation, arrival instructions and online inductions appear to be contributing to overall booking concerns.
Given the strong correlation between moving-in experience and retention, this is an area requiring urgent attention from operators.
Community is growing, but close friendships are declining
The data reveal a paradox in student social experience. While the proportion of students reporting a strong sense of community in their accommodation is trending upwards – a positive sign – the number of students forming close friendships is trending downwards. This suggests that, although students feel generally connected to their accommodation environment, establishing meaningful personal connections may be more difficult.
This finding highlights that creating a sense of community through events and communal spaces is valuable, but it does not automatically translate into the deeper social bonds that contribute to student wellbeing and retention.
Student wellbeing concerns intensify
While student struggles remain less severe than the peaks observed in 2022 and 2023, wellbeing indicators have worsened compared to last year (2024 Q4), raising red flags that should not be ignored.
In Q4 2025, students reported higher levels of stress and anxiety, alongside mounting financial pressures. More students reported struggling to find part-time work, budget effectively, and afford the lifestyle they want. These financial struggles are not distant concerns – they have real impacts on student experience and retention.
| Struggle | 2024 Q4 | 2025 Q4 | Change |
| Stress / anxiety | 42% | 43% | 1% |
| Loneliness | 21% | 23% | 2% |
| Being able to afford the lifestyle I want | 31% | 33% | 2% |
| Budgeting effectively | 32% | 35% | 3% |
| Finding part-time work | 40% | 42% | 2% |
| Making the most of my time at university | 32% | 35% | 3% |
| Keeping active | 22% | 25% | 3% |
| Keeping up with the workload | 38% | 41% | 3% |
| Study skills | 30% | 32% | 2% |
| Understanding how to improve my academic performance | 22% | 23% | 1% |
| Gaining the right skills / experience for my career | 19% | 20% | 1% |
| Understanding the course content | 25% | 27% | 2% |
| Securing relevant work placements | 16% | 18% | 2% |
Perhaps most concerning, significantly more students are struggling academically compared to last year. More report difficulty keeping up with their workload, developing effective study skills, and understanding course content. This suggests that financial and wellbeing pressures may be directly impacting academic performance, creating a vicious cycle.
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Want to know more?
Global Student Living is excited to announce that we are partnering with CUBO again for 2026 and will be releasing a report exploring the lived experiences of students from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds in UK student accommodation, launching at the CUBO Summer Conference in July. The report provides an update on the national picture and trends over time through the latest wave of the GSL Index before assessing how belonging, wellbeing, and the social experience vary by ethnicity and religious identity, and what accommodation teams can do to foster a more inclusive living environment.
Stay tuned for the link to the report following its release. In the meantime, copies of our previous joint GSL/CUBO reports can be accessed from the links below:
Building Connections: The power of residence life in student experience, GSL & CUBO, 2025
Closing the Gap: the experience of vulnerable students in student accommodation, GSL & CUBO, 2024.
Future Proof: meeting the diverse needs of international students, GSL & CUBO, 2023.
