Student Accommodation Outlook: What does the student think?

Survey Results

Accommodation influences academic success, social life, and independence. Our insights examine what students want most and how their choices impact their university experience.

Price continues to be one of the most important considerations when students choose accommodation. Some 64% of respondents describe price as very important, while a further 25% say it is important. Perceived value for money ranks similarly highly, with 85% of students considering it important or very important. The inclusion of bills also remains a key consideration, with 83% rating this as important or very important.

Alongside cost, students continue to prioritise the fundamentals of accommodation. Quality of accommodation is rated as very important by 56% of respondents, while 41% place the same level of importance on proximity to campus. Having an en-suite bathroom is very important to 49% of students.

Funding the future 

As has been the case in previous surveys, cost remains one of the most significant concerns for students entering university. Nearly one in five students (20%) report increasing their accommodation budget during their search process. Among this group, 52% say their budget increased by between 6% and 10%, while 22% increased their budget by between 11% and 20%. A further 6% report increasing their budget by more than 20%.
Financial concerns remain prevalent. Some 77% of students agree or strongly agree that they are worried about how much their accommodation will cost this year, while 61% agree or strongly agree that they regularly worry about not having enough money to live on. At the same time, 64% agree or strongly agree that they regularly budget their spending.

The financial stretch is evident in what students consider reasonable rent. The median maximum rent students would consider reasonable is £200 per week, with the upper quartile at £250 per week. These figures underline the challenge for operators and universities alike: students understand the cost of accommodation, but there is a clear ceiling to what many consider acceptable.

Students rely on a variety of income sources to fund their accommodation and living expenses. Many students expect employment to form part of their financial strategy while at university indicating that tuition and living costs are not fully met by existing financial support systems.

The funding mix reinforces this point. Parents, step-parents or guardians remain the most commonly selected source of support, cited by 56% of respondents. Maintenance loans are expected to be used by 46%, while 39% expect to rely on salary from part-time work. A further 31% expect to draw on their own savings, overdrafts or personal loans, and 29% expect to use bursaries, scholarships, grants or related support.

Accommodation at the intersection

Accommodation availability is increasingly connected to students' higher education choices. Overall, 64% of respondents say the availability of accommodation had either a moderate or strong influence on their decision about where to apply to study. Only 17% say accommodation availability had no influence at all.

When asked about their biggest concerns ahead of university, financial issues dominate. Living costs excluding accommodation are cited by 71% of respondents, while accommodation costs are selected by 61%. Academic performance is a concern for 60% of students, followed by making new friends (49%) and feeling isolated or lonely in accommodation (43%). The data highlights the extent to which financial, academic and social concerns overlap with accommodation sitting at the intersection of all three.

On campus

Despite these concerns, demand for a campus-based living experience remains strong. More than two-thirds of respondents (69%) say that, given the option, their preferred first-year living arrangement would be accommodation on campus. Only 23% say they would prefer to study and live in their hometown.

The importance of ensuring a wide range of accommodation options, spanning affordable, mid-market and prime options, is further reinforced when it comes to decisions about where to study. Indeed, while predicted grades, the quality of education and the overall student experience are critical, students also think about practicalities. Some 84% of those applying to university for the first time said that the availability of accommodation had some influence over their decision on where to apply.

Switching channels

Technology is playing an increasingly central role in shaping the student accommodation experience, with applicants to university valuing digital tools can that enhance convenience, support wellbeing, and help manage costs.

University accommodation websites remain the most frequently used source of information. Some 94% of respondents say they are likely or very likely to use them when researching accommodation options. Student review platforms also play a significant role, with 78% likely or very likely to use review-based sources, while 73% would use accommodation portals such as Student.com or Rightmove.

Social media channels show more mixed levels of engagement. TikTok records a combined likely/very likely score of 44%, compared with 39% for Instagram and 33% for Reddit.

Interest in AI tools is developing but uptake remains relatively balanced. Around a third of students (33%) say they are likely or very likely to use ChatGPT or equivalent AI tools to source accommodation, while 37% say they would use AI tools to track accommodation pricing. For operators, the direction of travel is important. AI may not replace established search channels in the near term, but it could influence how students compare options, monitor pricing and narrow their choices – particularly as tools become more prevalent.

Form follows function

The survey also provides a clear view of where students see value in accommodation. Some 92% say the quality of accommodation is important or very important when choosing where to live. Distance to campus is important or very important for 79%, while having an en-suite bathroom is important or very important for 75%. Peer reviews also carry weight, with 70% rating them as important or very important.

When asked which amenities they would remove in return for cheaper rent, students draw a clear distinction between lifestyle extras and functional essentials. Podcast rooms are the most dispensable, selected by 78%, followed by cinema rooms at 69%, gaming rooms at 66%, glamour rooms at 65% and on-site swimming pools at 60%. Bike hire is selected by 45%, other sports facilities by 41% and in-house events by 40%.
By contrast, the amenities least likely to be sacrificed are those that support the day-to-day functioning of student life. Only 5% would remove an on-site laundrette, 5% would remove fast WiFi, 8% would remove proximity to campus and 9% would remove communal kitchen or dining facilities. Just 16% would remove 24-hour security. The message is clear: students are prepared to trade amenity for affordability, but not at the expense of convenience, safety or basic utility.

More than a home

Accommodation is seen as a key part of student wellbeing. Some 88% of respondents say their accommodation will be important or very important in supporting their wellbeing. This is closely connected to perceptions of safety, cost and quality. Feeling safe in accommodation is rated important or very important by 88% of students, affordable living costs by 91% and good quality accommodation by 91%.
Students also draw a strong connection between their accommodation and academic outcomes. Nine in ten respondents (90%) agree or strongly agree that their accommodation environment will impact their academic performance.

Affordability is central to wellbeing. Some 91% of students consider affordable living costs essential. As the market evolves, investors, developers and operators will need to focus on the affordability of their offering to students and understand how accommodation costs feed into students’ decision making. This is highlighted by the fact that more than half (52%) of students indicated that the student funding and financial support available to them had a bearing on their decision to study.

More broadly, the results suggest that universities need to work more closely with the private sector to ensure that the housing options available – to both new and existing students – are sufficient. That’s especially relevant given funding constraints on the part of institutions mean partnerships to build new or refurbish existing stock are likely to become more widespread.

The role of PBSA beyond first year

Students remain open to PBSA accommodation beyond their first year, but affordability is a major factor. When asked what would make them consider PBSA in their second or third year, 74% select “more affordable”, 71% select quality of accommodation, 69% select bills being included and 68.2% select better value for money. Distance from campus is also important, selected by 68%.

Amenities still matter, with 53% saying they would make them consider PBSA, while 48% cite the social environment and 45% improved safety or security. However, these factors sit behind affordability, quality and certainty of costs. Enhanced wellbeing support is selected by 24%, enhanced academic outcome by 36% and environmental credentials by 16%. This does not mean these themes are unimportant, but it does suggest they are unlikely to compensate for a product that feels too expensive or poor value.

Overall, the survey suggests that affordability, value, quality and location remain the principal drivers of student accommodation decisions across both first-year and later-year accommodation choices.