Project no.: V5-2551
Housing is a basic human need that plays a key role in the life of an individual, especially students who experience major life changes when entering higher education. Living conditions affect their well-being and academic performance. Students' living conditions affect their well-being and academic performance. Important factors include affordability, location and quality of housing, which create the conditions for successful study. However, the availability and affordability of housing is becoming an increasingly important social and political challenge. Housing, until recently considered a fundamental right, is increasingly perceived as a market commodity, which creates problems, especially for student accommodation. Even if students do not have an explicitly recognised right to housing, international organisations recognise them as a vulnerable group. The lack of affordable, quality housing in suitable locations is a barrier for many students who find it difficult to afford adequate accommodation. Government support in providing housing for all students is crucial to ensure equal opportunities, as lack of affordable housing has a direct impact on health, well-being and academic performance. Student accommodation in dormitories is therefore particularly important as it facilitates social and academic integration and reduces the risk of dropping out. However, the availability of quality student accommodation is limited, as dormitories in Slovenia are occupied beyond the number of places available. Research shows that only a minority of students are accommodated in dormitories, while many live with their parents or in privately rented accommodation, often at prohibitively high prices. This creates financial difficulties, especially for students from socially disadvantaged families. As a result, the shortage of student accommodation is becoming an increasing problem in major centres of higher education such as Ljubljana, Maribor and Koper. Although there are limited opportunities for student accommodation in these centres, demand is still increasing. The lack of affordable and quality accommodation leads to many students not only being financially burdened, but also burdened with increased time and transport costs if they have to stay away from the higher education centres. The problems of affordability of student accommodation are only likely to increase in the future, as current capacities are insufficient to meet the needs of students. Landlords are also taking advantage of the shortage of rental housing by increasing prices, which further complicates the situation for students, especially those from lower-income families, as well as for other rental apartment seekers in the housing market. Student accommodation in Slovenia's higher education centres is therefore a pressing problem, which has been recognised, but no research has yet been carried out on how this affects affordability and completion rates, as well as the housing market, as highlighted by recent international studies.
The purpose of the research project is to analyse the accommodation of the student population in higher education centres in Slovenia and the impact of students’ accommodation patterns on the housing market and on the accessibility and success of completing their studies.
The objectives of the research project are:
The research project will last 18 months and will be divided into five work packages. Two Slovenian research organizations are participating in the project: the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ljubljana, which is the lead partner in the project, and the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia.
Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana:
Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia:
Work package 1: Review of literature and sources, development of a questionnaire, and preparation of a survey plan: Work package 1 will identify and define students' living arrangements, their impact on the accessibility of studies and study outcomes, and on the housing market. It will include a review of sources and literature, content analysis, and preparation of a questionnaire for the "Student Accommodation Survey". All activities necessary for conducting the survey, which forms the central part of the proposed project, will be carried out. Method: review of sources and literature, and content analysis.
Work package 2: Conducting the "Student Accommodation Survey": The aim of work package 2 is to collect data, conduct a survey, and prepare a high-quality database that will be made available to the social science community (and other interested parties) for further (secondary) analysis after the project is completed. An online survey will be used to collect data. The questionnaire for the "Student Accommodation Survey" will be adapted based on the findings of a review of existing research and relevant literature. It will be designed with the aim of determining the current state of student housing (including availability, affordability, and suitability of housing) in relation to the accessibility of study and the success of completing studies among groups of students with different socio-economic characteristics. Students will participate in the survey online (self-completion using an online questionnaire). The sample design will be designed for an online self-completion survey. The population will consist of students from at least three higher education institutions (UL, UM and UP). The selection of individuals included in the sample will be prepared in cooperation with the faculties. The survey will include students from selected faculties who will give their informed consent to participate and decide to complete the survey. The survey interface will be created using the EnKlik anketa – 1KA tool (a dedicated application for online surveys). The expected target sample size is 500 individuals. After the survey is completed, the quality of the data and the structure of the sample will be reviewed. A database entitled "Student Accommodation Survey" will be prepared and organised. In accordance with the open access policy, the final database will be stored in the Social Science Data Archive at Faculty of Social Sciences after the project is completed. The research will be conducted in accordance with high ethical and academic research standards. Method: online survey.
Work package 3: Data analysis, report preparation, and formulation of recommendations regarding student accommodation: Work package 3 will analyse the collected data and prepare the final project report, including recommendations and proposals regarding student accommodation in Slovenia. The work will be based on data collected through a survey and a comparison of this data with data on the private rental housing market in higher education centres collected by UIRS. This will enable the identification of the impact of various factors related to student accommodation on the success of completing studies, as well as an assessment of the impact of student accommodation on the housing market. Based on the results obtained, recommendations and proposals for the systematic regulation of student accommodation will be prepared, which can serve as a basis for the formulation of appropriate policies in this area. Methods: statistical analysis and synthesis of findings and insights.
Work package 4: Dissemination of project results: Work in work package 4 will focus on ensuring the accessibility of data and research results and informing the scientific, professional, and wider public about the project throughout its duration. The work package will focus on communicating research results to the public, in particular presenting the findings to the scientific and professional community, the public, and relevant political, civil society, and economic actors.
Work package 5: Project management and coordination: Throughout the entire project implementation period, effective and transparent project management and consistent compliance with the time, content, and financial frameworks of the research will be ensured. Work package 5 will include the appropriate organization of work, ensuring that the research group's objectives are achieved, the integration of research achievements, and appropriate communication between members of the research group and with the client. Semi-annual short reports, agreed with the client, will be used to monitor the progress of achieving research objectives 1–5 within the set time frame and with the available financial resources.
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