The new Collegiate Marques de Pombal student accommodation in Lisbon, which opened its doors just last month, stands out in Collegiate’s already impressive portfolio due to its cutting-edge design, unique features and outstanding facilities.

Collegiate’s interior design team has paid particular attention to the indoor decoration with the use of street artwork for the very first time.

Wanting Lisbon’s world-renown street art tradition to be an integral part of the design of Collegiate Marques de Pombal, Portugal’s best-known graffiti artist Mr Dheo was invited to be involved in this unique project. With 18 years’ experience in the specialist field, the well-respected artist took the time to share how he decorated the building with its residents firmly in mind.

How would you define your artwork and what themes do you pursue?

I define my work as a conceptual representation of my life experiences over the last 18 years. With my art I want to communicate with people because I believe it is the best way for them to “read” my pieces and to understand who I am.

When I work in public, I particularly like to pursue social themes and take on more polemic issues because on a public platform I can reach a wider audience, from the poor to the rich, citizens aged 8 to 80, there is no limit what I can say to them.

In the main communal areas and entrance lobby at Collegiate Marques de Pombal, artwork features on the walls. What was your overall vision for these spaces?

We wanted to make it as young, vibrant and fresh as possible. The idea was to harmonise everything, bring it together as a whole. The patterns and concepts used outside were also needed inside to make the building identifiable both indoors and outdoors. That’s why the lobby, the rooms and everything else have the same language.

How does artwork of Collegiate Marques de Pombal set it apart from anything else in the city?

It is a unique project because we thought about everything. For instance, after I sketched what work I wanted to do on the walls, the architects incorporated triangle shapes in the building to harmonize it with my art. Everything in the building is connected. Marques de Pombal is a one of a kind building in Lisbon because street art has never been so involved in a project from start to finish. That’s exactly what makes it different.

Marques de Pombal also stands out as it is set in an environment deprived of graffiti, it makes it very easy to identify. The heights, the colours, the complexity of the building makes it a landmark in the city. That’s exactly what we wanted – a building that stirs curiosity.

I want people who hang out in the area to wonder “what is going on here?”, “what is this place?”. Even if people don’t know the name of the street or the area, I want them to say to their friends when they meet “oh you know it’s close to this colourful building with triangles.”

Does your artwork aim to do more than just beautify the place? What impact do you think it could have on residents?

If you just want to beautify a place, you can just print an image and put it on the wall just like wallpaper. When it is handmade by an artist, especially in a place like Lisbon, students can think that they can achieve anything.

Street art gives them inspirations and remind them that when they work and believe in their dreams, they can do anything. My art in the building is tangible proof of it. When I was a student, it could have been impossible for me to think that I can make a living out of my drawing. I was not connected to any art school and here I am today!

There is a growing trend of making buildings and spaces “instagrammable”, can you talk me through how your work at Collegiate Marques de Pombal makes it “instagrammable” for students?

Graffiti has become very trendy, which is a good and bad at the same time. People tend to take pictures of everything they see when they travel. Street art is in fact very social media friendly. Students are young and this trend is their language.

Since we started the project in August 2017, the building has been ‘instagrammable’ from every angle. People are enjoying the building, they share it on Instagram. Nowadays it is very important to make a building sharable on social media thus, our purpose was to create a lasting building that young people would like capture on video and through pictures and share on social media.

What the tools of your trade?  

 I see myself as a pure graffiti artist because I use traditional tools which is a spray can only. No tape, no projector, no brushes, no roller paint: I do everything with spray cans. Of course, I use my head above everything else, my heart, my hands and then my spray cans.

For more information, contact Collegiate on +44 1235 250 140 or visit www.collegiate-ac.com.

 Notes to Editors:

 About Marquês de Pombal

 Marquês de Pombal is part of Collegiate’s Prestige Collection with residents benefitting from a private fitness suite, swimming pool and sauna, a 24-hour concierge service, club lounge and an on-site cinema. From €135 per week, it encompasses superior studios space, two bed apartments as well as penthouses with a unique access to a terrace.  It is located in the heart of the capital, close to the university’s campus and iconic Avenida de Liberdade.

About Collegiate

 Collegiate is a leading student accommodation provider who delivered 20,000 beds across 30 sites in the UK in recent years. From private gyms, on-site cinema, study rooms, games area and much more, they provide a home away from home with the little luxuries that will ensure the best student experience.

About Mr Dheo

Always rejecting any kind of Art course in his childhood, he developed his own techniques, which enabled him to evolve without direct influences. Today Mr.Dheo already made interventions in over forty cities all over the world. He collaborates with well-known international brands and companies although he keeps the street as the perfect place to create. For more information on his projects, visit www.mrdheo.com .

• 22% increase in first-year students choosing PBSA accommodation in 2017/18 (Collegiate)
• 10% more PBSA stock required to meet growing demand (Savills)
• Collegiate’s delivery pipeline outside the UK reaches nearly 5,000 beds

In the last decade, investors have rushed to the burgeoning purpose-built-student-accommodation (PBSA) sector opening new private halls in emergent locations throughout the UK with extra facilities such as gyms and private cinemas.

Luxury student accommodation provider Collegiate has been at the heart of this growing market for the past 6 years, attracting students at every stage of their higher education. In fact, Collegiate has recorded a 22% increase in first-year students opting for their accommodation for the current academic year (2017/18) than the last (2016/17), attracted to the security, safety and a wide range of on-site amenities on offer.

However, the Savills Student Housing Report 2017 points out that PBSA developments are failing to keep pace with increasing demand. The report claims that 10% more stock is forecast to be delivered in the UK this year vs 2016, highlighting the call to investors to supply more PBSA beds for the future.

Collegiate is leading this charge by increasing its portfolio substantially for 2018 and beyond. The operator has launched several PBSA sites this year including Ernest Place in Durham and Crown House in Sheffield. But it won’t stop there, new sites in Exeter, Bournemouth, Reading and Liverpool will open next year with extra facilities for its residents and right on time for the 2017-18 academic year.

Collegiate has already increased the supply of PBSA in recent years by delivering 20,000 beds across 30 sites in the UK. Now the operator is going hand to hand with the globalisation of higher education. As the growth in international student numbers has underpinned demand for high quality student housing, Collegiate has turned its attention to European markets, with a heavy focus on Portugal and Spain to start.

It has acquired new sites, including Marina Real in Valencia, Aravaca in Madrid, Finestrelles in Barcelona and Marquês de Pombal in Lisbon to name but a few and has many more in the pipeline. For the next two years, cities outside the UK hold the largest pipeline for Collegiate with almost 5,000 new beds forecast.

“We have many exciting new sites in the pipeline from new university towns and cities in the UK to popular destinations in Europe starting with Portugal. Unfortunately, we have to accept that it is becoming more expensive for our clients to buy land in the UK and construction costs have gone up, which is why we looked at the move into Europe.”

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO, Collegiate

The new 330 bed scheme in Lisbon will be the first to kick off the European expansion, opening its doors to residents on 15^th January 2018.

Marquês de Pombal will be part of Collegiate’s Prestige Collection with residents benefitting from a private fitness suite, swimming pool and sauna, a 24-hour concierge service, club lounge and an on-site cinema.

From €135 per week, it encompasses superior studios space, two bed apartments as well as penthouses with a unique access to a terrace.  Collegiate Marquês de Pombal is located in the heart of the Portuguese capital, close to the university’s campus and iconic Avenida de Liberdade.

 “Lisbon is our first foray into student accommodation outside of the UK, so we wanted to create something incredibly new and exciting. The art and culture of the city are so inspiring and we wanted to reflect that at Marquês de Pombal, giving students an ultra-luxurious home from which to enjoy the best that Lisbon has to offer.”

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO, Collegiate

Savills World Student Housing report 2016/17 emphasises that Portugal’s student housing sector Is relatively undersupplied, creating an opportunity for reliable student housing operators such as Collegiate to expand their portfolios there.

For more information and to book accommodation in university towns and cities across the UK and Europe, contact Collegiate on +44 1235 250 140 or visit www.collegiate-ac.com.  

If you think you might not have done as well in your A-Levels as you hoped, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the Clearing process in advance of results day. Even if you think you aced your exams, it’s worth having an understanding of Clearing, just in case.

Clearing allows students who didn’t get the results they were hoping for to find a suitable university course. Read our step by step guide to Clearing to ensure you have the knowledge you need to find the course you want.

Clearing – the step by step guide

You can use Clearing to find courses with vacancies. Then it’s time to discuss the course directly with the college or university that provides it. If they’re happy to offer you a place, you can accept it online.

1. Check your status in Track. If it says ‘Clearing has started’ or ‘You are in Clearing’ then you’re in Clearing.
2. Use the UCAS search tool to look at courses that are available. Vacancies are updated regularly, so keep checking back if you’re looking for something specific. You could also consider studying a different subject.
3. Speak to the universities and colleges that you are interested in. If you give them your Clearing number and Personal ID number, they will be able to see your Track application online.
4. Gather informal offers over the phone and decide which one you want to accept.
5. Add details in Track of the offer that you wish to accept, using the details that you were given on the phone. This counts as your acceptance of the offer, so be sure you are certain before entering the details.
6. The college or university will then confirm the offer and you will receive a confirmation letter through Track.

And that’s it! Many students feel panicked by Clearing, but it’s actually a simple process, so just keep your cool and work through the process until you’ve found the perfect course.

Clearing – next steps

Once your course is confirmed, the next step is to find your student accommodation. Most universities require students to apply for their accommodation before A-Level results day, but that doesn’t mean that those who go through Clearing are forced to live in terrible properties. In fact, the rise of student accommodation developments like Ernest Place in Durham means that students going through Clearing have more choice than ever before.

Ernest Place is a collection of brand new studio apartments offering stylish and luxurious student living. The exclusive facilities include an on-site cinema, sauna and residents’ glass-walled sky lounge. There’s a study room for hitting the books, as well as a private desk area in very apartment. There’s also a gym for those times when you want to work your muscles instead of your mind. And all of that is backed up by superb service from an on-site management team who’ll do everything from organising social events to help you settle in to signing for your parcels and booking your taxis. From £125 per week.

Lucky residents at the brand new accommodation Eclipse in Cardiff will see their lives enhanced by an ultimate living experience. It offers unrivalled facilities, from its on-site private cinema for movies nights to an Alice in Wonderland themed nightclub to entertain friends. From £137 per week, students will also have access to table games, gym and on site dinner party room for community events.

Such high quality accommodation is available across the UK through Fusion Students’ sites and Collegiate’s. Headed north to Glasgow? Then check out Claremont House. Studying in Newcastle? Then Plummer House is the place to be. Thanks to new generation accommodation providers like Fusion Students and Collegiate, you can source an outstanding student apartment with a stylish lifestyle built in, even after going through Clearing. So be ready to book fast on 17 August – first your course and then your accommodation!

For more information on Fusion Students please visit www.fusionstudents.co.uk  or to book other accommodation across the UK, contact Collegiate on +44 1235 250 140 or visit www.collegiate-ac.com.

• A-level results announced Thursday 17^th August 2017
• From North to the South, Collegiate AC & Fusion Students are dedicated to providing luxurious living experience for students
• New student residences opening in Cardiff, Nottingham and Newcastle complete with ‘cold rooms’, free Netflix and on-site nightclub (Fusion Students)

With 2017’s A-level results day on the horizon, the annual hunt for university accommodation gets underway. For hundreds of thousands of students in England & Wales receiving their results on the 17^th August, the big question preoccupying their minds is – where am I going to live at uni?

If you haven’t found your student halls yet? Don’t panic. Collegiate AC and Fusion Students, have rounded up the most stylish student residences currently available for the 2017/8 academic year.

“After working hard to complete their A-Levels, Result’s Day marks the next step in many students’ education journey. For the majority moving on to university will be their first time away from home and finding an environment where they feel comfortable and safe is imperative. We want our residents to thrive both socially and academically and are committed to providing the very best living experience.”

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC

From Glasgow to Exeter, these two providers of luxury student properties in the UK are dedicated to offering quality accommodation in attractive locations with unrivalled service and first-rate facilities.

Glasgow: For those who are heading north of the border to Scotland this academic year, Collegiate AC is offering the best experience at Claremont House. The development is ideally situated in North Claremont Street with a brand-new roof terrace offering stunning panoramic views across the city.

From £135 per week, the luxury student accommodation available includes en-suite bedrooms with double beds, residents lounge, penthouse studio apartments and a private cinema.

Newcastle: Offering a range of individual studios to four-bedroom en-suites, priced from £140 per week, Plummer House by Fusion Students is ideally situated just 10 minutes from the University of Newcastle on Market Street.  A private gym with a variety of classes, a games room and an onsite cinema, complete with free Netflix, are available to all residents, as well as a chic in-house BYO bar and VIP lounge, including ice machines and a sound system. There is even a ‘cold room’ which will take delivery of those tech-savvy students’ online food shopping, even if they are not home to receive it.

Nottingham: In the city where students like socialising the most according to the latest NatWest survey, Fusion Students have crafted the perfect student accommodation to allow its residents to shine brightest. Nova offers exceptional student living to those looking for premium accommodation backed by outstanding service. It’s packed to the brim with amenities, including a gym, cinema, party room with DJ booth and bar, table games and a cold store. From £134 per week.

Birmingham: Students keen to make the UK’s vibrant second city their home should consider Collegiate AC’s Brook Studios. Located at the heart of Edgbaston’s student area, Brook Studios offer the perfect choice of accommodation fitted with contemporary furnishing and fittings, including flat screen TVs, en-suite shower room and kitchens. There is also an on-site gym, a bike storage and a dedicated maintenance team. From £172 per week.

Cardiff: Lucky residents at Eclipse will see their lives enhanced by a stylish, ultimate living experience. Eclipse offers unrivalled facilities, from its very own dedicated nightclub for community events, to an Alice in Wonderland themed nightclub to entertain friends. From £137 per week.

Eclipse by Fusion Students boasts a long list of amazing features, such as a French Renaissance themed dining room (bookable to throw dinner parties and special occasions), an on-site gym (with on demand exercise classes available), private cinema room, outdoor recreational space and a total sense of security with 24/7 staffing and concierge team, all for an all-inclusive rate.

Exeter: Collegiate has created the ultimate student living space with Clifton Place ideally located next to the beautiful River Exe, with convenient access to the popular university of Exeter. It is a unique property given that it has three blocks featuring a series of town houses conversions as cluster flats and studio apartments. From £153 per week.

“Our market-leading properties are very popular, it’s best to book early to avoid disappointment.”  

Adam Horwood, Head of Marketing, Fusion Students

For more information on Fusion Students please visit www.fusionstudents.co.uk  or to book other accommodation across the UK, contact Collegiate on +44 1235 250 140 or visit www.collegiate-ac.com.