Unite Students has reported impressive growth with nearly full occupancy levels amidst the ongoing UK student housing crisis.
Driven by high demand and limited supply, the firm continues to expand its housing portfolio and maintain robust performance metrics.
Unite Students reported a remarkable 97.5% occupancy rate for the 2024/25 academic year, signifying robust demand and limited supply in the UK student housing market. The significant achievement underscores the acute housing crunch affecting university students nationwide.
The organisation also revealed an 8.2% like-for-like rental growth. This trend is expected to continue with anticipated growth between 4-5% for the 2025/26 academic year. Such financial stability reflects strong underlying demand amidst constrained supply conditions.
Unite Students plans to expand its portfolio by adding 4,600 new beds by 2028, with a total investment of £913 million. The initiative is fully funded and aims to tackle the broader housing shortage, particularly in high-demand university cities.
Despite recent UK visa policy changes affecting student family members, international student demand remains resilient. UCAS acceptances for undergraduates are stable, although postgraduate demand has notably decreased. Unite expects the policies to impact lower-tariff institutions most significantly.
Domestic demand is normalising post the 2023/24 ‘exceptional sales cycle’. There is a recorded 3% increase in undergraduate acceptances among UK teenagers. These developments highlight a stabilised demand landscape in the domestic student housing sector.
Joe Lister, CEO of Unite Students, expressed a positive outlook regarding the company’s future. He noted the ongoing strategic investments and development initiatives aimed at meeting the heightened demand and easing the housing shortage across major UK university cities.
Unite Students has firmly positioned itself as a leader amid the UK’s student housing crisis. With its strong occupancy rates and strategic investments, the company is well-prepared to navigate current and future market challenges.
In summary, Unite Students has demonstrated resilience and strategic acumen in managing the UK student housing crunch.
The company’s ongoing investments and strong occupancy rates are crucial in addressing current and future market needs.
