The Student Accommodation Annual Report looks closely at student demand, higher education investment, pricing and affordability, build costs, operational costs, and development pipeline, bringing together our key data and analysis from the previous year – as well as a look ahead to 2022/23.
Headlines include:
- 2.2 million full-time students are studying at UK universities;
- More students than ever are studying away from home, up 221,990 from five years ago;
- 2021 visa issuances were 80.7% higher than in 2020 showing post pandemic recovery;
- Average rental growth is set to bounce back to 3.1% for 2022/23;
- National student to bed ratio stands at 2.39:1, 8% increase in headroom over the last five years;
- Delivery of 24,612 beds in 2021/22 was only 677 more than in 2020/21, projecting 17,000 new beds for 2022/23;
- 175,910 un-refurbished first-generation bed spaces in operation in the UK PBSA market for the 2021/22 academic year.
As a whole, the sector remains resilient; student enrolments have recovered and are increasing at unprecedented rates; rents are rising; and UK universities have enhanced their global positioning.
The shortage of supply and the rising price of steel, timber, labour, and insurance premiums, as well as the current geopolitical climate, have contributed to an increase in build costs, while rising energy prices are having a significant impact on operational costs in the sector. The issue of affordability will impact students, with the difference between the Maintenance Loan and the cost of living potentially influencing where students choose to study.
Download the report to find out more about the student accommodation sector. If you would like to discuss any aspect of the report findings, please contact a member of our student accommodation team.
