Unite Students targets regional cities with €1.7b investment

UK student accommodation provider Unite Students has announced a £1.5 bn (€1.7 bn) development pipeline to create new student homes in high-demand regional cities. 

Joe Lister

CEO Joe Lister will highlight this approach at the Regional Investment Summit, emphasizing the company's commitment to partnerships with universities. Unite Students is currently leading over £650 mln (€748 mln) in investments for partnerships with Newcastle University and Manchester Metropolitan University, which will deliver more than 4,300 new beds starting in early 2026. These projects, including Castle Leazes in Newcastle and Cambridge Halls in Manchester, aim to alleviate student housing shortages in these major university cities and free up homes for local families.
Beyond these developments, Unite's pipeline includes schemes in Glasgow and Stratford, east London, the latter combining student housing with a new sixth-form academy. The company also recently acquired Empiric Student Property. This deal will expand its portfolio to approximately 75,000 beds (subject to approval) and diversify its offerings to include returner and postgraduate students.
Joe Lister stated: "Our investment strategy is about more than just building student accommodation. It's about creating long-term partnerships with universities, supporting local economies and helping to relieve pressure on the wider housing market by providing high-quality, affordable homes for students. We see opportunities for expansion in several key regional cities, where we can provide universities with capital development and operational expertise support."
Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, added: "These investments are a powerful vote of confidence in the UK economy. From our modern Industrial Strategy to landmark trade deals, this government is focused on driving growth and attracting investment as we deliver on our Plan for Change."