Finding the perfect student accommodation abroad has long been a challenge—high costs, limited options, and last-minute stress make the process overwhelming. But one visionary is changing the game. Saurabh Arora, the dynamic Founder & CEO of University Living, is on a mission to transform how students secure housing worldwide.
Driven by his own experiences and a passion for innovation, Saurabh built a tech-driven, asset-light platform that offers seamless, verified, and affordable student accommodation solutions in over 640 cities. Through AI-powered tools, strategic partnerships, and real-time student support, University Living ensures a stress-free transition for international students.
Under his leadership, the company has achieved remarkable milestones—₹100 crore ARR, $350 million in projected GBV, and millions of nights booked globally. But beyond numbers, it’s about impact—helping students feel at home, no matter where they study.
In this exclusive Business Review Live interview, Saurabh shares his journey, the industry’s evolving landscape, and how University Living is reshaping student housing with innovation, accessibility, and a student-first approach.
1. University Living operates in a competitive landscape alongside other student accommodation platforms. What key differentiators set your platform apart from the competition, and how do you ensure sustained competitive advantage?
University Living redefines student housing by offering a seamless, tech-driven experience tailored to students’ diverse needs. Here’s what sets us apart:
Extensive Accommodation Choices – From Purpose-Built Student Accommodations (PBSA) to private apartments and homestays, we provide a variety of housing options to match every preference and budget.
Comprehensive Student Support – We go beyond housing by assisting students before and after admission. Our services include visa guidance, airport transfers, and a cost-of-living calculator. Plus, our student enhancement programs help with internships, scholarships, and part-time job opportunities, making the study abroad journey smoother.
AI-Powered Study Abroad Assistance – Our Study Abroad Buddy platform leverages AI to provide personalized guidance on course selection, test preparation, and visa applications, helping students make informed decisions with ease.
A Strong Global Student Community – We foster a supportive environment through awareness initiatives and value-added services, ensuring students feel connected, informed, and confident throughout their academic journey.
2. Managing student accommodations across multiple locations requires seamless coordination. How does University Living streamline operations, and what role does technology play in ensuring efficient property management and student satisfaction?
Managing student housing across multiple locations demands precision, efficiency, and reliability. At University Living, we leverage cutting-edge technology to simplify operations, enhance student satisfaction, and streamline property management.
Tech-Driven Efficiency – Our platform transforms the fragmented student housing market into a structured digital ecosystem, allowing students to search, compare, and book accommodations effortlessly.
Immersive Virtual Experience – With 360-degree live tours, students can explore properties remotely and make informed decisions before booking.
Real-Time Updates & 24/7 Support – From booking to move-in, automated alerts keep students informed at every step. Our on-ground support teams provide round-the-clock assistance for a stress-free transition.
UL Verified Properties – We personally inspect and verify each listed accommodation to ensure top-tier quality, safety, and compliance, setting us apart from other platforms.
AI-Powered Assistance & Engagement
SABIE Advisor (In-House LLM Tool): Delivers unbiased recommendations on costs, study destinations, and curriculum choices.
Voice-Enabled AI Chatbot: Provides instant, real-time student support.
AI-Based Call Analysis: Enhances response accuracy by understanding student concerns and sensitivities.
Pre-Sales AI Bot: Uses voice AI to qualify leads and personalize accommodation recommendations.
Smart Property Management – Our Property Management Solution (PMS) brings order to an unstructured market, making it easier for landlords and accommodation providers to manage properties seamlessly.
Secure Digital Payments – With integrated safe and hassle-free payment solutions, students can make transactions with confidence, no matter where they are.
3. Student accommodation isn’t just about providing a place to stay—it’s about creating an experience. What measures do you take to enhance customer experience and build long-term relationships with students and universities?
Student accommodation is more than just a place to stay—it’s about creating a fulfilling and supportive experience throughout a student’s academic journey. At University Living, we enhance this journey through a range of Value-Added Services (VAS) designed to make student life seamless, enjoyable, and stress-free.
To ensure hassle-free mobility, we partner with trusted transportation services, helping students navigate their new cities with ease. Dining and lifestyle benefits, offered through platforms like Taste Card, provide exclusive discounts, making social experiences more affordable. Recognizing the need for daily essentials, we facilitate seamless access to food and groceries, giving students more time to focus on their studies.
Entertainment and digital perks, including Amazon Prime memberships, offer students access to premium content and fast delivery services, enhancing their leisure time. To promote financial independence, we assist students in securing part-time jobs, helping them gain work experience while supporting their expenses.
Our 24/7 customer support and live chat assistance provide immediate help whenever needed, ensuring students feel secure and connected. Exclusive deals and discounts make everyday living more affordable, while our UL-verified properties, rigorously inspected for safety and quality, offer peace of mind to both students and their families.
Beyond housing, we collaborate closely with universities to align our services with academic goals, ensuring a seamless transition for students. Through transparent communication and consistent value, we build trust and long-term relationships with both students and educational institutions.
At University Living, we go beyond student accommodation—we create a comprehensive support system that enhances student life and fosters lasting connections within the academic community.
4. Scaling a business in the student accommodation sector requires balancing costs and revenue. What strategies have you implemented to drive profitability while maintaining affordability for students?
University Living operates a scalable, asset-light, and tech-driven model that keeps student accommodation affordable while ensuring profitability. As a managed marketplace, we partner with trusted providers, offering everything from premium stays to budget-friendly options like service apartments and homestays. This flexibility helps us scale efficiently with lean operations.
We use AI-powered tools and automation to streamline operations, optimize resources, and minimize inefficiencies. Our smart asset acquisition strategy ensures we curate properties based on student demand, keeping prices competitive while offering a seamless booking experience.
Instead of passing costs to students, we leverage partnerships and bulk negotiations to maintain affordability without compromising quality. Our digital-first platform lets students search, compare, and book accommodations easily, with 360-degree virtual tours, real-time updates, and 24/7 support for a hassle-free experience.
As a profit-making, bootstrapped startup, we have reached ₹100 crore ARR, with $200 million in GBV sales last year and a goal of $350 million this year. With Indicorn status, we are among India’s fastest-growing startups, reshaping how international students find housing.
With 18 million+ nights booked across 640 cities, we serve students from 120+ nationalities. Focused on scalability, efficiency, and tech-driven growth, we continue to make student housing affordable, seamless, and globally accessible.
5. Choosing the right property locations is critical for student convenience and demand. How does University Living evaluate and select properties to ensure accessibility to major universities and essential student services?
At University Living, we prioritize convenience, security, and a seamless student experience. Our PBSA properties are near universities, ensuring easy access to classes and public transport.
Every UL Verified property meets strict safety standards, with 24/7 security, CCTV, and inclusive utility bills. Virtual tours help students explore options remotely before booking.
Beyond housing, we offer move-in assistance, daily essentials, and ongoing support. Properties are chosen for proximity to grocery stores, healthcare, and entertainment hubs, ensuring a hassle-free student life.
By integrating accessibility, safety, and essential services, we create student-first accommodations, letting students focus on what matters—their education.
6. With evolving student needs and global mobility trends, how do you analyse market demand and adapt your offerings to cater to different student demographics across various regions?
We stay ahead by analyzing global student mobility trends, regional preferences, and demand projections. According to the Indian Student Mobility Report 2024 (ISMR 2024), Indian students studying abroad surged from 10.9 lakh in 2019 to 11.8 lakh in 2022, with projections reaching 15 lakh by 2025. Currently, 8.5 lakh Indian students are pursuing higher education in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
With this rise, accommodation needs vary—budget-conscious students prefer homestays, while others opt for premium PBSAs. To meet this demand, we offer a flexible portfolio of PBSA, private apartments, and homestays, ensuring every student finds a suitable space.
Our data-driven strategy maps student preferences by region. For instance, students in the UK and Australia prefer PBSA, while those in Canada and parts of Europe lean towards homestays and private apartments. By aligning supply with demand, we ensure convenience, accessibility, and a seamless experience.
Regular surveys help us track student mobility trends and market shifts. With AI-driven insights, real-time data, and on-ground partnerships, we scale efficiently to provide safe, verified, and well-located housing for students of all backgrounds and budgets.
7. In a price-sensitive market like student accommodation, what pricing models and revenue strategies have you adopted to maintain affordability while ensuring profitability for property owners and investors?
University Living ensures affordable student accommodation and profitable property partnerships through a tech-driven pricing strategy. By securing properties early, we lock in lower rental rates, preventing last-minute price surges and maximizing occupancy for property owners.
We optimize demand-supply gaps, identifying high-demand areas with limited availability and negotiating competitive rates. Our data-driven pricing continuously tracks market trends, peak seasons, and student preferences, ensuring a dynamic yet student-friendly approach.
Through early partnerships, flexible pricing, and real-time demand matching, we create a win-win ecosystem. Students get affordable, high-quality housing, while property owners enjoy steady occupancy and optimized revenue. This balanced marketplace makes University Living a trusted global student housing partner.
8. Collaborations with universities and property developers are essential for scaling student accommodation solutions. Can you share insights into how University Living builds and nurtures these partnerships to create a seamless experience for students?
University Living collaborates with universities and property developers to ensure a seamless student accommodation experience. Our partnerships are built on trust, financial support, and student well-being.
We work with universities to provide scholarships and financial aid, making housing more affordable. As a preferred accommodation partner, we offer safe, reliable, and well-located housing. Many top institutions, including UCL, University of Bristol, and University of Birmingham, officially recognize us as an alternate accommodation provider.
By partnering with universities and property developers, we secure diverse, budget-friendly, and premium housing. This ensures students find trusted accommodations without hassle, allowing them to focus on their studies. Through these long-term collaborations, University Living remains the go-to platform for student housing worldwide.
9. With increasing demand for international student accommodations, what are your expansion plans for University Living, and how do you plan to penetrate new markets while ensuring consistent service quality?
University Living is expanding globally to meet the rising demand for international student accommodation. Operating in 640 cities, we provide trusted, verified housing in key study destinations.
Our goal is to become the go-to platform for student housing, covering every major university city. Beyond accommodation, we offer student support services, scholarships, job assistance, and lifestyle benefits to enhance the study abroad experience.
By leveraging strategic partnerships with universities, property developers, and service providers, we quickly enter emerging and high-demand markets, ensuring students access safe and reliable housing from day one.
We maintain consistent service quality through standardized processes, regular quality checks, and student feedback. With global expansion, strong networks, and high standards, University Living is set to become the world’s most trusted student housing platform.
10. The accommodation sector is evolving with smart technology, flexible leasing, and personalized services. How is University Living integrating new innovations to stay ahead of industry trends and meet the expectations of modern students?
University Living leverages AI-powered solutions and real-time market data to offer personalized, flexible student accommodation. UL Connect provides real-time assistance, while SABIE Advisor offers unbiased insights on costs, study destinations, and accommodations. AI-driven chatbots and call analysis enhance support and query resolution. Uninist enables flexible bookings based on academic timelines and budgets, and UL Marketplace offers diverse housing options. The Study Abroad Podcast shares expert insights and student experiences. With AI, data-driven insights, and a student-first approach, University Living is transforming global student accommodation.
