We support members to create excellent campus experiences
CUBO members are responsible for the strategic development, management and operation of student accommodation, catering, retail, sport, security, printing, transport, cleaning, childcare, customer services, conferencing, vacation letting and other campus and commercial services.
Whether supporting new students in halls, running graduation events, creating value for money meals, providing sport and physical activities, winning conference business or bringing new retail brands onto campus, our members make a major contribution to the student and campus experience.
We are leaders in student accommodation and residence life in the UK and Ireland. We administer the UUK/GuildHE Accommodation Code of Practice to which over 140 institutions subscribe.
Through CUBO, all staff from a member institution can tap into the incredible knowledge and support of over 1500 fellow professionals. We represent most UK and Irish higher education institutions and also welcome FE and international institutions.
Our mission
To lead and promote excellence in the development of campus life, services and the student experience.
Our aims
- To connect members and support their professional development through events, training, research and the sharing of best practice.
- To support members to use their management skills and business acumen to deliver effective and sustainable services and commercial activities that enhance universities.
- To be the leading advocate for the delivery of high quality and innovative campus life activity.
- To work with organisations and businesses to deliver excellent, value for money services that support wider university missions.
- To be a diverse and inclusive organisation.
Our Strategic Priorities 2022-25
- A membership plan that enhances the CUBO network through increased engagement, recruitment and diversity.
- A professional development framework for members that includes work shadowing and mentoring.
- An events programme that meets the needs of the wider membership, including three conferences per year (summer, residence life, winter), discipline and regional groups, both in-person and digital.
- A UUKCoP operational and financial plan
- A network of corporate partners supporting CUBO and providing quality and innovative services and products for members
- A plan that develops and nurtures national and international organisational partnerships
- An increased profile for CUBO as an expert organisation
- Successful integration into PHES
- A commercial services benchmarking plan
- A customer service and quality benchmarking group
- Guidance and best practice in accommodation affordability and residence life, engaging with other sector organisations in promoting this.
- Guidance and best practice in sustainability, focusing on environmental impact of commercial activity, engaging with other sector organisations in promoting this.
- An EDI policy, framework and implementation plan
- A refreshed information and key metrics pack for the Board
CUBO supports universities to be positive, safe places that provide value for money, excellent staff, student, and visitor experiences, and where students can thrive and make a positive impact.
Gillian Almond, Director of Commercial Services, Royal Holloway, London
UUK/GuildHE Accommodation Code of Practice
CUBO is the home of the UUK/GuildHE Accommodation Code of Practice for university owned/managed accommodation. With 144 member organisations and covering over 262,000 bed spaces throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland, The Code is legislated by Parliament to assure the provision of a high-quality residential experience that is safe, secure, sustainable and supportive for students.
Representation
We consult with other sector bodies and government departments on best practice and legislative change to support the development of good campus services.
Commercial and campus services
Wellbeing
Sustainability
Accommodation
- UUK/GuildHE Accommodation Code of Practice Governing Board
- UUK/GuildHE Accommodation Code of Practice Sector Advisory Group
- ANUK/UNIPOL Code Committee of Management
- BPF Student Accommodation Committee
- NUS/UNIPOL Accommodation Costs Survey Steering Group
ScotGov
- PBSA Review Group
- Student Accommodation Group
Other sector associations
PHES has compiled a list of all the associations it is aware of in HE and a helpful list of acronyms in the sector.
