AN EDUCATION PROVIDER’S GUIDE TO TEMPORARY SUMMER SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION

Summer schools, short courses and visiting student programmes can leave universities and other educational establishments needing a large number of extra bedrooms for several weeks at a time.

Existing halls may be available on campus, but they will not always be the right fit or remain occupied outside term time. Where maintenance or refurbishment is in progress, they may be off limits all together. The rooms you do have may also be in the wrong location, spread across several buildings or unsuitable for the size and makeup of the group.

Where you have suitable land available, leasing temporary student accommodation offers much more flexibility to create the capacity you need. In this guide, the temporary accommodation specialists at Bunkabin explain how sleeper and welfare units can support short-term and longer residential programmes, and allow you to keep your cohort together on or close to campus for the duration of their stay.

MATCHING THE ACCOMMODATION TO THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMME

The right accommodation setup will depend on the programme being delivered.

A two-week academic course for adult students will have different requirements from a six-week language school for younger participants. A visiting research group may favour single occupancy and study space, while another programme may be comfortable using twin rooms alongside separate accommodation for staff.

Before hiring units, education providers should get a clear view of the programme dates and likely or confirmed resident numbers. They should also identify any accessibility needs and decide which existing campus facilities the group will be able to use.

You may need accommodation for one short residential course or several groups arriving one after another throughout June, July and August. Keeping the same temporary units in place across the summer makes this much easier than finding and preparing new rooms for every intake.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SLEEPING CAPACITY

Bunkabin’s sleeper units are available in different sizes and layouts, so the accommodation can be matched to the number of residents and the available site. Each of our units have secure home-style doors and windows, with unique keys, making them safe and secure residential spaces.

The Junior Deluxe Sleeper can be supplied in single, twin or triple configurations. Each option includes full-sized beds, an en-suite bathroom, heating and storage, making it suitable for both short-term stays and longer residential programmes.

Twin units can help education providers accommodate a larger group within a limited footprint. The Junior Twin Sleeper provides two full-sized single beds and an en-suite shower room, and up to four units can be transported to your site on one vehicle, meaning delivery and install can happen at scale.

The Bespoke Single Sleeper offers a full-size bed and a desk for study space, alongside an en-suite bathroom, fitted storage, fridge and microwave. These units are popular for adult learners, visiting students, lecturers and programme staff who need a more self-contained room.

A summer school does not need to use the same unit type for everybody. Single units can be used for course leaders or staff, while twin or triple units provide additional sleeping capacity for participants where shared accommodation is appropriate. Read how we turned a range of sleeper accommodation into a self-contained student village at Reaseheath College.

PROVIDING THE RIGHT WELFARE FACILITIES

Some programmes will only need additional bedrooms because residents can use existing campus bathrooms, dining spaces and other facilities.

Other sites may need a more complete setup, such as where the temporary accommodation is positioned away from the main halls or where the existing estate cannot absorb the extra demand.

Bunkabin's portable shower units, toilet facilities and dining units can be installed alongside the sleeper cabins. The Junior Diner provides cooking, refrigeration, dining and rest space for up to eight people. These units are great as a hub for smaller residential groups, and where existing facilities are limited, provide an additional shared area.

IDENTIFYING A SUITABLE CAMPUS SITE

Choose a site close to the teaching, sports or activity spaces your group will use. This keeps transport to a minimum and makes the programme easier to manage.

For permitted development, the site needs enough space, firm and level ground, safe access, utility connections and room for specialist delivery vehicles. It should also provide suitable lighting, security and privacy, away from hazardous works and excessive noise.

Read Bunkabin's guide to choosing a suitable location for temporary student accommodation for information on these points. When it comes to planning how many units you can install in an area, our portable cabin specifications provide dimensions, weights and service details for all our accommodation and welfare units.

HIRING UNITS FOR THE LENGTH OF THE PROGRAMME

We can supply temporary accommodation whether for a short residential course, several consecutive programmes or the full summer period.

Bunkabin’s student accommodation units are available for short-term stays as well as longer hires covering a full academic year. This means the hire period can be matched to the dates of the residential programme rather than committing to the ongoing cost of permanent extra rooms.

Where several courses run in succession, keeping the units on site offers better value and reduces the work involved in arranging separate accommodation for each group.

Early contact will provide the greatest choice of units and delivery dates. However, Bunkabin also offers a quick hire service for urgent requirements, including additional accommodation for schools, colleges and universities where planned facilities are unavailable or numbers are higher than expected.

PREPARING THE SITE FOR DELIVERY

Before the units arrive, you should make sure the site is ready to receive them.

The ground needs to be firm, stable and level. In terms of access, as long as the site can be reached by road, our vehicles will be able to gain access. You will also need to have water, electricity and foul drainage connections available in the correct locations.

The exact requirements will depend on the type and number of units being supplied. Sleeper units and welfare facilities have different dimensions and service needs, so the site should be prepared around .

You will also need to check whether planning permission or other approvals are required. For more details on what you may need to consider, read our guide to planning permission for temporary buildings.

Once the site is ready, Bunkabin can arrange the delivery and positioning of the cabins using our own specialist transport fleet.

HOW QUICKLY CAN UNITS BE SUPPLIED AND INSTALLED?

Timescales depend on fleet availability, the number and type of units needed, the condition of the site and the delivery access available.

The units themselves are designed to be installed in as little as 30 minutes after unloading where services are already available on site. A larger deployment will naturally involve more vehicle movements, positioning and utility connections, but it can still be brought into use far more quickly than a permanent building.

Bunkabin manufactures its units in Britain and operates the UK’s largest hire fleet. Our specialist delivery service means we can provide the full service, from the units to the transport and positioning. That way, you only have to deal with one service provider from start to finish.

WHEN ON-SITE ACCOMMODATION IS MORE PRACTICAL THAN HOTELS

Hotels can work well where only a few people need somewhere to stay for a night or two.

For a larger residential summer school, they create additional cost and administration. The group may be split across several properties, while daily transport is needed to move participants between the accommodation and the course site.

Hotel rooms also offer limited storage, food preparation and study space. Availability can change between programme dates, making it harder to keep several consecutive cohorts in the same place.

Private accommodation also creates similar issues. You may need to deal with several landlords, contracts and property locations, all with different access and management arrangements.

Temporary accommodation allows an education provider to create a single managed residence on a chosen site. Students and staff can remain close to the course, while the provider has greater control over access, security and the overall arrangement.

This is particularly useful for visiting student accommodation, where participants may be unfamiliar with the campus or city and benefit from staying together.

SPEAK TO BUNKABIN ABOUT SUMMER SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION

Bunkabin supplies temporary student accommodation for summer schools, short residential courses and visiting student programmes. Single, twin and triple sleeper units can be combined with portable showers, toilets and diners where additional welfare facilities are required.

With our large UK hire fleet and its own specialist delivery service, Bunkabin can supply, transport and position the units on a prepared site for the agreed hire period.

Contact Bunkabin to arrange accommodation for your residential programme. Call 0345 456 7899 or request a quick quote.