Manchester Faces Severe Shortage of Student Accommodation, Ranks Among UK's Most Undersupplied Cities

According to Manchester student accommodation news 2023, Manchester is considered one of the most undersupplied major university cities for student housing outside of London.

According to Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (CBRE) research, only 4,745 beds have been provided since 2018, despite an increase of 8,100 full-time students. Currently, Manchester has one of the most extreme supply and demand imbalances of student housing in the UK, with a shortage of 23,186 beds. Furthermore, Greater London also struggles, with a 106,000-bed gap since 2017/18.

With rising student numbers from multiple universities, Manchester's limited PBSA supply has attracted investors, making it a sought-after real estate market. PBSA news states, "the city has the third largest student market in the country but has witnessed low PBSA development activity in the past decade." The undersupply issue in Manchester positions it as the top city in the UK for PBSA investment growth over the next ten years.

According to UK student housing news, "The UK has the largest student population in the recent years, and undergraduate applications are expected to increase by 25% to one million by 2030."

Landowners and developers nationwide have real opportunities, and institutional funds are actively searching for them. It's hard to overstate the urgency of this crisis. The mismatch between supply and demand highlights investors' and educational institutions' urgent need for action. As per student housing news, the Nation Union of Students warns that if corrective action is not taken, dropout rates and student homelessness will increase.

Manchester student accommodation news stated that plans for approximately 1,500 student accommodations across the city have been approved. However, the planning committee rejected a controversial student block for the third time. In response, The University of Manchester plans to build new purpose-built student accommodation on its Fallowfield campus.

Manchester's 'severe' lack of student accommodation has raised serious concerns. Moreover, it has attracted the attention of investors who see potential in the city's real estate market. However, the crisis extends beyond Manchester's borders, affecting students across the UK. Urgent action is needed locally and nationally to bridge the gap between supply and demand. Universities, investors, and policymakers can tackle this challenge head-on and ensure that housing struggles do not drown out the benefits of higher education. Manchester's housing situation may be dire, but with concerted efforts, it could pave the way for a brighter future for students nationwide.