The educational world is experiencing a shift in its paradigms; the old model of traditional classroom-based education is now being augmented with new forms of technology that allow for the delivery of lessons and learning experiences through the internet or other electronic means. This has caused colleges and universities to implement various forms of online or hybrid teaching/learning models, which are impacting not just how students learn but how they live as well.
As a result, the impact of these changes can also be seen in student accommodation; there are currently dramatic spillover effects from the changing nature of the student accommodation market. With flexibility or the option to not attend classes becoming the norm, the traditional correlation between campus location and student accommodation is being rewritten.
This blog post will examine in detail the impact of online learning on student accommodation trends and the future of student living.
1. The Rise of Online Learning as a Mainstream Educational Model
The online education model has now reached the mainstream due to a combination of advances in technology and the needs of learners. Technology has made it possible for students to be involved in the educational process through high-speed internet access, cloud-based systems for learning and interacting in virtual classrooms, and the use of collaborative tools.
In addition, colleges and universities have created many different types of online learning options for students, including
- Full online degree program;
- Hybrids (a combination of Online courses along with scheduled on-campus class attendance)
- Flexible attendance programs where students can select when and where they will attend a class.
This has impacted the long-held student habits of having to move or stay in a location for the duration of the academic year, close to the university.
2. The Traditional Student Housing Model, and Its Limitations
Historically, where students lived depended on the area around their college. A student would need to find an apartment that was very close so that they could attend lectures, spend time in the library, and participate in other extracurricular activities. Due to this demand, housing was often based around the university and the cost of living for students was relatively high.
Online education challenges the traditional student housing concept by decoupling education from location. Students do not have to attend classes physically, and therefore, the determinants of housing choices are different.
3. Location Independence and Shifting Housing Preferences
a. Looking Beyond Campus-Based Living
With the rise of remote learning, eliminating the need to commute to campus every day, students are increasingly opting to live:
- In cheaper cities or suburbs
- Near their family homes
- In areas that provide a better work-life balance or job prospects
This, in turn, has resulted in a more scattered student population, with demand extending beyond college towns.
b. International Students and the Flexibility of Relocation
For international students, the shift to remote learning has brought about new trends:
- Starting educational programs from their home countries
- Postponing relocation to later levels of education
- Choosing short-term or hybrid accommodation solutions
Thus, students are increasingly turning to online platforms that enable them to compare, assess, and book accommodations online. In this regard, curated marketplaces offering verified student housing options by Amberstudent assist students in accessing flexible accommodation solutions in various cities and countries without having to be there in person.
4. What Students Now Look for in Accommodation
Remote learning has shifted student priorities from “close to campus” to “fit for learning and living.”
Key features influencing accommodation choices include:
a. Robust Digital Infrastructure
Reliable, fast internet is now an essential component of everyday life rather than an optional benefit that enhances quality of life.
b. Dedicated Study Areas
Students desire space conducive to studying and learning online – quiet environments that are well-lit and provide an ergonomic setup for long periods of time.
c. Flexibility in Lease Structure
Hybrid academic schedules have increased demand for:
- Short-term leases
- Semester-based contracts
- Housing that adapts to changing academic timelines
- Comfort and Well-being
The use of buildings by students has increased. Therefore, problems associated with buildings such as light, air, privacy, and formal study space have also increased.
5. The Emergence of New Types of Student Housing
Online learning has introduced a new era of innovation in the creation of new models of housing.
a. Co-Living and Community-Oriented Spaces
The new co-living spaces are intended to address the needs of students who are looking for independence and community interaction. These spaces include:
- Private rooms and shared common areas
- Study lounges and collaboration areas
- Community activities that recreate the campus experience
b. Multi-Use and Hybrid Projects
There is a new trend of student housing converging with housing for young professionals and telecommuters. This model of housing is designed to meet the needs of different lifestyles while keeping costs low and flexible.
c. Compact and Smartly Designed Units
Compact housing is becoming popular with the use of shared facilities and technology that supports online education.
6. Economic Implications for Students and Housing Providers
For Students
Remote learning can reduce overall expenses by allowing students to:
- Choose cities with lower rent
- Avoid daily commuting costs
- Assign your housing budget according to where you are going to be working from (ie, your home) as opposed to where you live.
More time spent working from home can also create added costs such as utilities, internet service, and a home office setup.
For private developers and property owners
There is a major change in the demand for rental accommodation.
The providers of accommodation are not as dependent on long-term tenancy agreements in the region; therefore, they are placing more emphasis on having flexible agreements and good building environments.
In addition, the accommodation providers will also invest in an environment that will help facilitate the remote learning environment.
Accommodations that can successfully modify and meet the requirements of the shifting timelines will have the ability to remain competitive within an evolving rental housing market.
7. Socialization/Mental Health Associated with Remote Learning
While there are benefits of flexibility with remote learning, it limits true natural and organic social interaction among peers, thus limiting the social interaction among peers.
Student experience can include:
- Less peer engagement.
- Anxiety related to isolation from fellow students.
- Fostering relationship building in the academic community.
Well-designed accommodation can assist in bridging this social experience gap by providing areas for interaction through common areas, events, and working together – thus creating more than just a place to stay for students.
8. The Future (Next Generation) of Student Housing
The future of student housing will be guided by the future trends in student housing:
- Hybrid types of housing and communities, which will allow students to live on campus and also have access to off-campus short-term rental housing alternatives.
- Decentralization of student communities across cities rather than just on or around college campuses
- Experience-based housing, which will provide not only educational support, but also enhance lifestyle and community development
- Increasingly, partnerships will take shape between universities and private housing to meet the evolving needs of today’s generation of college students.
Conclusion
The shift to remote learning has changed students’ views of education and, subsequently, their eventual housing options. Now, however, for students, housing has become less about the physical distance from a campus than it is about the flexibility to choose where, how and why to choose those locations. Additionally, to support students’ educational experiences beyond the four walls of the traditional classroom, these communities will need to provide ways for them to interact, along with creating an environment that is increasingly flexible as a result of the ongoing evolution of educational opportunities.
About author
Bhavna.S is a storyteller at heart who loves weaving words into engaging narratives. When not writing, she can be found sipping chai while lost in a book, taking long walks to clear her mind, or planning her next travel adventure – only to end up binge-watching a documentary instead.
