University Living Revolutionizes Student Accommodation with Global Managed Marketplace

For millions of students venturing abroad for their education, the excitement of a new journey is often dampened by a daunting reality: finding a place to live. With a global shortage of student housing and a complex web of international leases, scams, and high costs, the "dream" can quickly turn into a logistical nightmare.

Enter Saurabh Arora, Founder of University Living, who has turned his own personal struggle into a global solution. What started as a bootstrapped venture to help friends and family has evolved into a massive managed marketplace, simplifying the accommodation journey for students moving across borders to study.

"There are two things: global warming and housing crisis. Housing crisis is for real," says Arora, highlighting the urgency of the problem his company is solving.

The Global Student Housing Crisis

The scale of the student accommodation market is staggering, yet it remains critically underserved. Arora paints a clear picture of the supply-demand imbalance that defines the sector.

"Only one out of six students get accommodation by university. That means 84% of students need to look for the accommodation on their own," Arora explains. This massive gap forces millions of young, often first-time international travelers into a private rental market they don't understand, exposing them to risks ranging from poor living conditions to outright fraud.

More Than Just a Bed

The challenge isn't just about finding four walls and a roof. It's about the entire ecosystem of needs that a student has when landing in a new country. "Housing, food, and finance" are the three pillars Arora identifies as critical.

For Indian students, this is a significant financial undertaking. A typical academic year abroad sees students spending between 8 to 10 lakhs INR (approx. $10,000 - $12,000) just on accommodation. In premium cities like London or New York, this can skyrocket to $15,000 or more. Given that accommodation accounts for roughly 40% of a student's total living expenses, making the wrong choice can be financially devastating.

The Solution: A Managed Marketplace

University Living differentiates itself by being more than just a listing site. It operates as a "managed marketplace," a distinction that is crucial in a high-stakes sector like cross-border housing.

Unlike open platforms where anyone can list a property, University Living acts as a curator and guarantor of quality. "We represent all the accommodation partners. Each and every accommodation are curated, verified, hand-held, cherry-picked," Arora notes.

Arora emphasizes that they are not competing on being the "cheapest" or "most expensive," but on being "value for money." By bundling utilities and furnishing into the rent, and ensuring proximity to universities, they save students money on commute and setup costs, while providing a safe, "plug-and-play" living experience.

Hand-Holding the Student Journey

Recognizing that their users are often young and inexperienced in legal matters, University Living provides extensive support. From understanding complex tenancy agreements to setting up local bank accounts and arranging airport transfers, they act as a local guardian.

"You need to sign a contract... you need a guarantor... we hand hold students. In fact, we tell everyone we have no one to tell you where to stay, we are a facilitator," says Arora. This approach transforms a transaction into a relationship, building trust with both students and their anxious parents back home.

The Founder's Journey: The Accidental CEO

Saurabh Arora calls himself an "accidental CEO," but his journey was born from a genuine personal pain point. Years ago, as a student heading to Nottingham, he found himself without accommodation, forced to stay in a hotel for a month and a half. His co-founder, Mayank, faced a similar plight in Northampton.

"I never thought that I will get into it but Destiny was there... I don't know anything else apart from accommodating students," he reflects. This shared struggle gave them the empathy and insight needed to build a solution that truly addresses the student's needs.

Starting from a tier-2 city in India (Meerut), and later living in a small apartment in Delhi, the founders built University Living with grit and resilience. For 11 years, they have navigated the challenges of building a global business from India, bootstrapping their way to success in a low-margin, high-volume industry.

Future Vision: Solving the Crisis

The mission for University Living is clear: ensure every student finds a home. With the post-COVID surge in international education, the demand for student housing has never been higher, and the supply constraints never more acute.

Arora sees challenges not as roadblocks but as opportunities. "I don't see challenges, I see them as opportunity to grow," he says. This mindset drives the company to constantly innovate, balancing supply and demand and expanding their services to cover every aspect of the student's life abroad.

In a world where "global warming and housing crisis are for real," University Living stands as a vital infrastructure layer for global education, ensuring that the bright minds of tomorrow have a safe place to sleep today.

About the Guest

Saurabh Arora is the Founder and CEO of University Living, a global student housing managed marketplace. A "tier-2 city boy" from Meerut, India, Saurabh turned his own difficult experience of finding accommodation as an international student into a global business. With over 11 years in the industry, he has led University Living to become a trusted partner for millions of students, offering safe and secure housing solutions across the globe. He is passionate about entrepreneurship, building resilient teams, and solving real-world problems through grit and empathy.