Liverpool Outpaces Every UK City in Student Housing Demand for 2026–27

Key Highlights:

• Liverpool is the UK's most competitive city for student accommodation in 2026-27, with a forecast 2,525 searches for every available student property, according to a report from UniHomes. 
• Bath, London, Coventry and Derby complete the top five most in-demand student cities. 
• Student demand is rising as university enrolments continue to outpace housing supply. 
• International student numbers and changing housing preferences are adding further pressure to the rental market. 
• Students are encouraged to begin their accommodation search earlier to secure better options. 
• UniHomes' research points to a national shortfall in student housing supply as demand continues to grow.

A study by UniHomes has ranked the UK’s 20 most in-demand student housing cities for the 2026-27 academic year, with Liverpool taking the top spot. The report forecasts 2,525 searches for every available student property in the city, making it the toughest place in the UK to secure off-campus housing. The ranking is based on three years of search activity on the UniHomes platform alongside Google search volumes, reflecting a growing imbalance between student demand and available housing. As more students choose to study in the UK, finding suitable accommodation is becoming an increasingly difficult task. 

UK’s Most Competitive Student Housing Cities

The UniHomes report identified the following cities as the most competitive for student renters this academic year. 

While Liverpool leads the rankings, competition remains intense across several university cities. Popular destinations such as London and Bath continue to experience strong student housing demand, while cities like Coventry and Derby are also attracting growing numbers of students looking for affordable higher education options. 

What’s Driving the Surge in Student Accommodation Demand?

The report points to several factors behind the growing competition for UK student accommodation. Since 2015, UK university enrolments have increased by around 28%, while the number of international students studying full-time have risen by more than 80%. However, housing supply has struggled to keep pace with this rapid growth. 

Another trend highlighted in the UniHomes report is that more students are choosing to move into private accommodation instead of living at home. At the same time, demand for larger shared houses has increased, particularly in cities like Liverpool, where student communities continue to expand. 

These changing preferences mean students are beginning their accommodation search much earlier than in previous years, with many popular properties being reserved months before the academic session actually begins. 

What the Rankings Mean for Students 

The latest rankings serve as a reminder that planning ahead is becoming essential for students searching for accommodation. Delaying the search could mean fewer housing choices, higher rental prices and increased competition, especially in high-demand university cities. 

Students planning to study in Liverpool, Bath, London, and other popular destinations should consider starting their search well before the academic year begins. Exploring different neighbourhoods, setting a budget early and securing housing as soon as possible can help reduce the stress of finding accommodation at the last minute. 

With student numbers expected to remain strong in the coming years, the demand for quality student accommodation is unlikely to slow down. Unless housing supply grows alongside enrolment, competition across the UK’s leading university cities is expected to remain high, making early preparation more important than ever.

Editor's note (8th October 2026): This article has been updated to credit UniHomes as the source of the data and rankings.

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