Student accommodation platform UniHomes has researched which universities are seeing the greatest rental demand from new students, as the beginning of a new academic year approaches.
UniHomes’ Student Rental Hotspots Index looks at the UK’s top 100 universities. Every quarter it highlights which ones are currently experiencing the highest demand for student rental accommodation. This demand is based on the number of student homes listed on the market that have already had a let agreed as a percentage of total stock available.
The Q2 index shows that there is currently a tie for the highest level of student demand. Both the University of St Andrews and the University of Cambridge rank top, with 60% of all rental stock listed around each university already taken.
The University of Nottingham is also home to some of the highest levels of demand at 44%, with the University of York (42%) and the University of Glasgow (42%) making the top five as well.
Other universities seeing some of the strongest levels of student rental demand include the University of Essex (34%), the University of Southampton (31%), Aston University, Birmingham (29%), Durham University (27%) and the University College London (27%).
Phil Greaves, Co-Founder of UniHomes, comments: “As thousands of students begin moving into their student accommodation for the fast-approaching academic year, the return to in-class learning this year is still pushing high rental demand surrounding the nation’s universities.
“Despite much of the last year’s learning being done in a virtual capacity due to the pandemic, we’ve seen many students remain keen to carry on renting within their chosen university city and this has provided some much-needed certainty for student landlords.
“If you haven’t yet secured your student accommodation for the new academic year then don’t worry. While demand around many universities is high, there is still plenty of stock on the market for those looking to the year ahead.”
| Table shows the top 10 UK universities for current student rental demand | ||
| University | Main Campus Outcode | Student Rental Demand |
| University of St Andrews | KY16 | 60% |
| University of Cambridge | CB2 | 60% |
| University of Nottingham | NG7 | 44% |
| University of York | YO10 | 42% |
| University of Glasgow | G12 | 42% |
| University of Essex | CO4 | 34% |
| University of Southampton | SO17 | 31% |
| Aston University, Birmingham | B4 | 29% |
| Durham University | DH1 | 27% |
| University College London | WC1 | 27% |
| Data sourced from Rightmove based on student rental stock available as a percentage of all student rental stock including that which has already had a let agreed. |