Student Housing
Student housing refers to residential accommodation designed or designated for individuals enrolled in academic institutions. It can play a significant role in shaping the university experience, not only as a practical necessity but also as part of broader academic and social development.
Demand for student housing is influenced by a variety of factors, including institutional capacity, the local housing market, and student demographics. Student demographics can shift over time due to the popularity of the education institution or institutions, international mobility, postgraduate enrollment, remote learning patterns, and more.
Accommodation arrangements differ depending on country, institution, and level of study. In the United Kingdom, it is common for first year undergraduate students to be placed in university-managed halls of residence. Subsequent years may see students move into privately rented accommodation or purpose-built student housing (PBSA) owned and operated by third parties. The transition between these options often reflects both availability and the student’s personal or financial circumstances.
Different Types of Housing
University-Managed Housing
Many universities maintain some level of on-campus or institution-affiliated housing. These arrangements are typically structured for ease of access, proximity to teaching facilities or suitable public transportation, and predictable costs. At some universities, students can opt for inclusive rent packages that cover utilities and internet access, and, in some cases, additionals such as a food plan and cleaning services. The environment is usually regulated under institutional codes of conduct, offering a structured introduction to independent living, which can be especially important for students moving directly from their parents to university housing.
In the United Kingdom, university-managed accommodation tends to be most prevalent in the first year of undergraduate study. It allows new students to form social connections in a shared setting while adapting to the academic workload. These facilities may range from traditional dormitory-style blocks with shared facilities to more modern en-suite or studio options.
The supply of university-managed rooms is usually limited relative to total student enrollment, particularly for universities where real estate constraints and high land values restrict development a lot. Students often move off-campus after their first year, entering the private rental sector or PBSA schemes.
Private Rental Accommodation
A significant proportion of university students live in privately rented housing, either individually or in shared arrangements. These properties are owned by private landlords and rented under standard tenancy agreements. In some cities, student demand has created a dedicated housing submarket, where properties are licensed to accommodate three or more unrelated individuals. In the United Kingdom, this solution is commonly refereed to as HMOs (houses in multiple occupation).
The private rental market offers more independence but also introduces complexity. Students must deal with landlords directly and are often required to enter into fixed-term contracts with joint liability. Not having utilities included in the rent is more common than for university-managed housing, and students with house mates can be required to handle a more complex situation where they are responsible for the utility bills but do not get individual utility contracts, with utility costs instead being split across all tenants in the shared-housing situation.
Location, price, and property condition vary widely, and affordability becomes a central concern, particularly in cities where rental prices have risen faster than maintenance loans or part-time wage growth.
Regulatory frameworks differ by location. Factor such as mandatory housing standards, deposit protection, and licensing requirements are important considerations for both students and landlords. Enforcement of the regulatory framework can be inconsistent, leaving students and landlords exposed to substandard or unclear dispute resolution pathways.
Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)
In recent years, there has been a marked expansion of purpose-built student accommodation in many countries, including the UK. These are privately developed, professionally managed residential complexes designed exclusively for students. PBSA combines elements of institutional halls with commercial management models. Developments often feature en-suite rooms, communal study areas, gyms, and high-speed internet access, positioned as premium alternatives to traditional rentals.
PBSA appeals particularly to international students and postgraduates, who may prefer the security, flexibility, and simplified tenancy structure it offers over classic private rental accommodation. Rent levels are typically higher than those in the private shared market, but in return, students avoid many of the administrative burdens and uncertainty associated with private lets. Some PBSA providers offer shorter-term contracts or additional amenities, though availability can vary considerably by location.
As student populations become more mobile and expectations around quality increase, PBSA has filled a gap left by universities unable to expand their own housing portfolios. At the same time, the rapid growth of the sector has raised questions around affordability and the long-term impact on local housing markets, especially in cities already under pressure from high housing demand and limited supply.
Location and Logistics
Proximity to campus remains a major factor in housing choice, but rising rents and uneven development patterns have pushed many students to commute longer distances. Urban planning, public transport connectivity, and zoning regulations affect the distribution of student housing stock and influence whether students live near teaching facilities, in residential suburbs, or in mixed-use city centers.
In some locations, universities are embedded within compact campuses where most students live within walking distance. In others, institutions are dispersed, requiring reliance on public transport. The accessibility of affordable housing stock often reflects broader economic and planning decisions beyond the control of universities or housing providers.
Local opposition to student housing developments, particularly PBSA projects or HMOs, has become a recurring theme in planning debates. Concerns include noise, waste management, and changes to neighborhood character. These tensions can shape policy and limit supply growth, despite rising demand.
Financial Considerations
Housing is one of the largest components of student expenditure. While tuition fees are often regulated or subsidized, accommodation costs tend to fluctuate based on local market conditions. In some cases, housing can consume more than half of a student’s annual maintenance loan. This imbalance affects access and retention, particularly for low-income students who may be forced to work longer hours, live in substandard housing, or spend a lot of time traveling back and forth.
International students can face additional costs, including deposits, guarantor requirements, and advance payments. Currency fluctuations and limited familiarity with local housing markets add another layer of complexity. Some institutions offer accommodation guarantees or partnerships with trusted providers to ease the transition for foreign students, but such programs are not universally available.
The financial structure of PBSA developments has been subject to scrutiny. Many are backed by institutional investors seeking predictable yield. This can result in upward price pressure, particularly when developments are targeted at higher-paying international markets rather than local affordability benchmarks.
Policy and Planning Implications
Student housing intersects with broader questions around urban development, infrastructure, and social equity, and governments and local councils often struggle to balance the societal and economic benefits of attracting students with the pressures placed on housing supply, public services, and neighborhood cohesion.
Policies that encourage mixed-use development, subsidize affordable student housing, or incentivise universities to expand accommodation on campus can help ease supply issues, but are not uncontroversial. Conversely, restrictions on PBSA development or blanket HMO licensing policies can limit options and push students further from campus.
Institutional engagement with housing policy is growing, particularly as retention, wellbeing, and recruitment are increasingly linked to housing quality and stability. However, there is no single model that addresses all needs. Effective solutions depend on coordination between universities, local authorities, developers, and student bodies.
Investing in Student Rentals
Student rental properties occupy a distinct niche within the broader residential investment market. They offer a relatively predictable source of demand tied to academic calendars, limited tenant turnover during term time, and often the potential for higher yields compared to standard buy-to-let housing. At the same time, the segment presents its own operational complexities and regulatory constraints, requiring a focused approach to property management, compliance, and tenant expectations.
For investors, student housing offers exposure to a demographic that, while transient, is consistent. In university towns and cities with long-established institutions, the underlying demand has proven to be resilient even during broader market downturns. However, the structure of the investment—whether through traditional houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), or student flats—can affect both risk profile and return.
Demand Drivers and Market Stability
The primary demand for student rentals comes from full-time students seeking housing close to their place of study. This demand is largely shaped by enrollment numbers, university-managed housing capacity, and the availability of affordable alternatives. Cities with large, research-focused universities or a high proportion of international students tend to see the most consistent rental demand.
While undergraduate enrollment patterns are broadly cyclical and tied to demographic trends, the increasing number of international students has added another layer of demand in many cities. A subset of the international students typically have higher accommodation budgets and may prefer higher-spec or all-inclusive housing. As such, proximity to campus, transport links, and local amenities influence the performance of student rental properties.
Universities that guarantee first-year housing can reduce short-term rental demand from new students, but this type of housing is typically limited to institution-owned or affiliated halls, and many students will opt (or be forced) to move when their first year is over. Beyond the first year, the private sector remains the primary source of accommodation in many locations, and this is where most investors operate.
Yield and Rental Structure
Student rentals often provide higher gross yields than traditional lets. This is due in part to the room-by-room rental model, where each tenant pays separately, rather than letting the property as a single unit. A three- or four-bedroom house can therefore generate multiple income streams for a higher combined total. Additionally, tenancy demand is seasonally predictable, and fixed-term contracts aligned with academic years simplify planning and reduce void periods.
However, higher yields come with added costs. Student properties are generally let fully furnished, require more frequent maintenance, and sometimes include utility bills in the rental package. Turnover-related expenses—such as repainting, deep cleaning, or replacing furnishings—can reduce net income if not planned for.
Some landlords work with student letting agents who manage marketing, compliance, and tenant liaison. This reduces the operational burden but introduces management fees.
Licensing, Compliance, and Planning
Many local authorities require student rental properties, particularly HMOs, to be licensed. Licensing regulations vary by jurisdiction but often include mandatory safety checks, minimum room sizes, and requirements for shared facilities. These rules are intended to protect tenants and will impose compliance costs on landlords.
Non-compliance can result in fines, rental repayment orders, or restrictions on further letting. Investors must stay informed about both national regulations and local enforcement patterns. Licensing is not a formality—it shapes the long-term viability of the investment.
In high-density student areas in the United Kingdom, local councils may introduce Article 4 Directions, removing permitted development rights for change of use from single-family housing to HMOs. This means that planning permission must be obtained before converting a property for student letting. Such restrictions are designed to control concentrations of student housing in residential neighborhoods but can limit supply and complicate investment decisions.
Tenant Management and Seasonality
Letting to students introduces a distinct set of operational considerations. Most tenants are in their late teens or early twenties and may be living independently for the first time. This affects how they approach responsibilities such as reporting issues, paying rent, or maintaining the property. Communication must be proactive, and property checks may need to be more frequent than in standard lets.
The academic calendar defines the rental cycle. In countries where a new academic year starts in August or September, properties are usually advertised between January and May for the following academic year, with tenancy agreements beginning in late summer or early autumn. Properties may remain vacant during summer months unless let to postgraduates, language school students, or other short-term tenants. Investors must account for this seasonality when modeling returns. Some landlords prefer to rent to students that live year round in the university location and have enough supplementary income to sign 12-month contracts with no summer break.
Guarantor requirements are standard, and some landlords request joint liability across tenants, though this structure has come under increased scrutiny in recent legal decisions in several countries.
Some landlords will have more strict requirements in place for foreign students and students without a guarantor, such as rent having to be paid upfront before the start of each term.
Purpose-Built vs Traditional HMOs
Purpose-built student accommodation has grown rapidly over the past decade, particularly in larger university cities. These developments are managed by professional operators and target students seeking higher-spec, all-inclusive living. While investors can access this market through direct ownership or pooled investment schemes, returns are typically lower than those in the HMO segment due to centralised management and institutional involvement.
Traditional HMOs, on the other hand, remain popular among private landlords due to the ability to control property management, adapt rent pricing, and selectively upgrade to increase yield. However, the operational burden is higher, and the risk of vacancy or damage is more concentrated in smaller portfolios.
The choice between the two models depends on capital availability, risk tolerance, and desired involvement. Passive investors may prefer hands-off PBSA structures, while hands-on landlords with experience may find better returns in carefully managed HMOs.
Exit Strategy and Resale Considerations
Student rental properties do not always command the same buyer pool as standard residential properties. A house configured as a four-bed HMO may not appeal to owner-occupiers and may only be saleable to other landlords. This limits capital appreciation in some markets, especially where planning restrictions or licensing burdens have reduced investor appetite.
To preserve exit flexibility, some landlords retain adaptable layouts that can be reconverted for family use if required. Others focus on areas where student demand and general rental demand overlap, allowing for repositioning in future if the student market weakens.
In cities with high student turnover and consistent enrollment, resale opportunities remain strong, particularly for well-maintained, fully tenanted properties with a strong yield history. However, investors should build a holding period into their planning and not rely on short-term value growth.
Finding Suitable Houses to Turn into Student Rentals
Converting residential properties into student rentals is a strategy many landlords use to improve yields and access consistent demand. Student tenants tend to rent by the room, on fixed academic-year cycles, and in predictable locations near higher education institutions. However, identifying suitable properties is not simply a matter of proximity to a university. Factors such as layout, licensing, local planning rules, and property condition all influence whether a residential house can be adapted into a compliant and commercially viable student let. This process involves more than spotting a bargain or relying on estate agent descriptions. It requires due diligence into the local rental market, university housing trends, and regulatory restrictions. An unsuitable layout or unmanageable compliance burden can turn what looks like a promising investment into a liability. For landlords seeking to expand into this space, clarity on what to look for at the acquisition stage helps reduce risk and support long-term income stability.
Location and Demand Analysis
Student demand is highly concentrated. In most towns and cities, specific areas develop around campuses that students favor for affordability, access, and social networks. These neighborhoods often become informal “student zones” and attract the bulk of private-sector demand. Within these areas, location advantages are marginal but important—being within walking distance of campus, near public transport links, or close to amenities like supermarkets and cafes improves the property’s letting appeal.
The presence of multiple universities, rising enrollment, or a limited supply of university-managed housing often supports strong off-campus rental demand. On the other hand, areas with declining student populations, overdevelopment of purpose-built accommodation, or university-led housing guarantees may be more competitive than they appear at first glance. Before making a purchase, it’s necessary to verify that demand for shared student housing exists in the area and that rental levels support the required yield after refurbishment and compliance costs are factored in.
Layout and Suitability for Conversion
Most student HMOs involve three to six tenants sharing communal spaces, each with their own lockable room. The layout of the property must allow for enough bedrooms, living space, and bathroom facilities to meet licensing standards. Properties with large reception rooms that can be reclassified, multiple bathrooms, and spacious kitchens are easier to convert without extensive structural work.
Not all houses are suitable for conversion. Narrow corridors, small box rooms, or limited kitchen space may fall short of HMO minimum standards. Some licensing schemes require communal living areas to be retained, meaning converting lounges into bedrooms may not be permitted. Other considerations include the location of bathrooms, fire escape routes, and whether the property has a cellar or loft that can be safely converted to usable space.
Ideally, a house should already meet most of the layout requirements or be easy to adapt with minor work. Every added conversion cost reduces the return on investment, and properties that require significant structural alteration often trigger additional building control obligations and higher ongoing maintenance costs.
Licensing and Local Planning Conditions
In jurisdictions with high concentrations of student housing, local authorities are more likely impose restrictions on the number and density of HMOs. These rules are typically enforced through mandatory licensing and planning controls. Before purchasing a house with the intention of letting it to multiple students, the investor must determine whether the property falls within an Article 4 area, which removes permitted development rights for HMO conversion.
If planning permission is required to change a house from single-family use to an HMO, it must be secured before purchase or be realistically obtainable. Authorities may refuse applications where student density is already high or where the conversion would conflict with neighborhood planning objectives. In cities where demand is high, these restrictions are often used to limit the spread of student housing into traditionally owner-occupied neighborhoods.
Licensing typically involves meeting specific criteria related to room size, amenity provision, and safety compliance. Local councils can operate selective licensing schemes or require additional documentation for HMOs. Ignoring these rules or assuming they are a formality can result in refusal to let, fines, or legal action.
Building Condition and Upgrade Costs
Whether student rentals must meet all the same safety and habitability standards as other tenancies depend on the jurisdiction, and standards can be both more and less taxing depending on the location and which specific clause your are locking at. Some local councils will for instance permit shared bathroom facilities for multi-tenant student housing in a way that would not be permitted for standard multi-tenant housing.
Properties that are structurally sound but cosmetically outdated may offer the best opportunity for value addition. These can be refurbished to a modern standard, fitted with compliant fire safety systems, and brought up to licensing condition without overinvestment. Older properties with poor insulation, damp issues, or outdated electrics should be approached with caution unless the purchase price reflects the cost of required work. Any property considered for student conversion should be inspected with an eye to compliance: fire doors, wired smoke detectors, escape windows, emergency lighting, and sufficient bathroom and kitchen provision.
Energy efficiency is another factor; both to keep heating costs down and to adhere to any local, regional, or national minimum standards. A low rating may require insulation upgrades, boiler replacements, or window changes. In some jurisdictions, this will not be optional improvements—they will be legally required before letting is permitted, and factoring them into the financial model from the outset is essential.
Yield and Rental Modeling
The appeal of student rentals often lies in the higher gross yield compared to single-family lets. However, this must be balanced against the capital cost of acquisition and conversion, the operating expenses related to management and maintenance, and any void periods between tenancies. Accurately forecasting rental income means understanding both term-time rent levels and potential summer vacancy periods.
Room-by-room rental allows flexibility in pricing, especially in properties where one or two bedrooms are larger or offer private bathrooms. Including bills in the rent is common, especially when letting to undergraduates. If this model is adopted, utilities must be carefully managed or capped to prevent overuse eroding profitability.
Before purchase, a detailed cash flow analysis should be carried out, incorporating all licensing fees, furnishing, marketing, compliance work, and holding costs. The final yield should be calculated on a net basis, not just from gross rent. Sensitivity testing for void periods, interest rate changes, and emergency repairs helps ensure the investment is robust under less-than-ideal conditions.
Resale and Long-Term Flexibility
Not all student investments hold their value equally. A house converted into a six-bed HMO with fire doors, multiple meters, and room locks may appeal to another landlord but deter owner-occupiers. In areas where the student market shifts or where licensing rules tighten further, exit options may be limited. For this reason, some landlords prefer to buy properties that can later be repositioned as family homes or professional lets with minor changes.
The strength of resale depends on location, ongoing demand, and the adaptability of the property. A student rental in a stable university city with limited PBSA supply and strong long-term enrolment trends will likely retain value. In contrast, a student house on the fringe of a shrinking or shifting market may face reduced resale interest or require price adjustment to attract investor buyers.
Managing Your Student Rentals
Owning student rental property offers the potential for consistent demand, favorable yields, and relatively stable tenancy cycles. However, the management of student rentals involves a specific set of responsibilities that differ from standard residential lets. Tenants are often younger, less experienced, and living away from home for the first time. The academic calendar dictates tenancy timing, while compliance obligations—particularly for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)—require more rigorous oversight.
Effective management is not only about maintaining the physical property. It also involves understanding tenant expectations, enforcing legal responsibilities, and building systems that prevent small issues from escalating. For landlords looking to retain control while keeping the property profitable, attention to operational detail and communication practices is essential.
Tenancy Structuring and Documentation
Student tenancies usually begin in late summer or early autumn and run on a fixed-term basis aligned with the academic year. Most tenancies are for twelve months, regardless of actual term dates, though some landlords allow early move-in or reduced summer rent to secure tenants earlier in the letting cycle.
Joint tenancies are common, where all tenants sign one agreement and are collectively responsible for the rent and any damage. This simplifies some aspects of management but requires all tenants to act as one unit. If one tenant fails to pay rent or leaves early, the others remain liable. An alternative is individual contracts, though this introduces additional administrative complexity.
All tenancies should be documented in writing, supported by a clear inventory, signed guarantor forms, and proof of deposit protection. Clarity at the outset reduces the chance of disputes later, particularly around deposit deductions or maintenance responsibilities.
Communication and Tenant Relations
Student tenants often have limited experience with property maintenance or tenancy agreements. It’s common for small issues to go unreported or for responsibilities to be misunderstood. A proactive communication approach reduces friction and helps build mutual understanding. At the start of the tenancy, it helps to provide a written guide covering waste collection schedules, heating operation, basic maintenance, and emergency contact procedures.
Periodic contact—such as a monthly email reminder or mid-tenancy check-in—keeps lines of communication open and encourages tenants to report problems early. It also sets a professional tone, which supports compliance with the terms of the agreement. In shared properties, tensions between housemates can arise, especially over cleaning or shared expenses. While landlords are not responsible for internal disputes, awareness of these dynamics helps when planning inspections or resolving maintenance issues.
Property Condition and Maintenance
Student properties typically experience more wear than standard rentals, given the number of tenants, age of occupants, and use of shared spaces. Walls, carpets, appliances, and furniture are subject to faster deterioration, especially in houses let to groups of four or more. To manage this, annual maintenance should be planned into the rental calendar—ideally during the summer void period when
the property is empty.
Preventive work—such as repainting high-traffic areas, replacing worn mattresses, and servicing heating systems—can reduce mid-tenancy disruptions. Repairs should be handled promptly, both to maintain the property and to avoid complaints. Student tenants are subject to the same housing standards as any other occupants, and failure to address issues like mould, heating faults, or water ingress can lead to local authority involvement.
Routine inspections are necessary for HMOs and advisable for all student lets. These should be conducted with appropriate notice and recorded with photographs. Tenants should be present where possible, both for transparency and to build familiarity with the inspection process.
Legal Compliance and Licensing
Many student rentals fall under HMO regulations, which apply when three or more unrelated individuals share facilities such as a bathroom or kitchen. HMO licensing is mandatory in many councils and comes with conditions around room sizes, safety features, and property management standards. Landlords must ensure that smoke alarms are installed and tested regularly, that electrical and gas systems are certified, and that communal areas are maintained to a safe and hygienic standard.
Fire safety is a particular concern in HMOs, and landlords may be required to install fire doors, emergency lighting, and central alarm systems. Failure to comply can result in significant penalties, including fines and bans on future letting. Licensing also requires landlords to be considered a “fit and proper person,” which includes a history free of serious housing offences.
Beyond licensing, landlords can be legally required to protect tenant deposits in a recognized scheme, issue prescribed information, and comply with energy efficiency standards. In some areas, local rules can restrict or ban the conversion of family homes into HMOs.
Void Periods and Turnover Management
Student rentals tend to operate on a fixed calendar. Some landlords use 12 month contracts, where the property is let from July or August through the following summer. Others use shorter-term contracts, where contract time largely follows the academic year, with a gap for the summer break.
If a property becomes vacant during term time, it can be more difficult to re-let. For this reason, tenant retention and early marketing are crucial.
Viewings for the next academic year often begin as early as November or December. Landlords who delay marketing may find that the most organized tenants have already committed elsewhere. Properties that are well-maintained, priced appropriately, and advertised clearly tend to let fastest.
Turnover involves more than just finding new tenants. It includes deposit reconciliation, end-of-tenancy cleaning, maintenance, and contract preparation. Managing this process efficiently is essential to avoid delays that result in unlet weeks or unhappy tenants. Working with letting agents who specialize in student rentals can reduce the administrative burden but adds cost.
Financial Oversight and Budgeting
Managing a student rental includes setting aside funds for regular and irregular costs. Furnishings wear faster than in professional lets, and utility costs may be higher if included in the rent. Insurance premiums can also be higher for HMOs, particularly where student occupancy is declared. Budgeting should reflect realistic assumptions about wear, voids, maintenance, and licensing renewals.
Service contracts for boilers, appliances, and safety inspections help manage costs and reduce emergency repair frequency. Rent collection systems should be in place, ideally with automated reminders or online payment tracking. If payments are delayed, early contact is essential—often it is a matter of disorganisation rather than intent.
Keeping detailed records, including communication logs, repair invoices, and inspection reports, provides protection in the event of disputes and supports efficiency in annual property reviews.
Examples of Famous Student Housing
Chapter Spitalfields in London, England
Owner: Greystar Real Estate Partners
Located in Central London, Chapter Spitalfields, originally named Nido Spitalfields, is one the tallest student dormitories in the world. It is a 33-storey tower, where the roof is 112 meters above the ground. You´ll find this imposing building in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, not far from the boundary with the City of London.
Architects: TP Bennet Architects
Trivia: The tower can be see in the Doctor Who episode “The Wedding of River Song”.
Studentendorf Schlachtensee in Berlin, Germany
Owner: The Swiss pensionfund CoOpera Sammelstiftung PUK
Studentendorf Schlachtensee (Student Village of Butcher Lake) is a heritage-listed building complex of residential and community buildings for students in Berlin, Germany. It was created after the end of World War II as a planned residence for the students of the Free University Berlin, using money donated by the Government of the United States.
You´ll find the Studentendorf Schlachtensee in south-western Berlin, in Steglitz-Zehlendorf. It is a complex consisting of 28 houses sitting on 5 hectares of land, with all houses being grouped around a village square. Among the first buildings to be erected were residential buildings for students, the mayor´s office, a library, and a shop.
The Studentdorf Schlachtensee has been classified as a historical monument since 1991. Despite this, the Berlin Senate authorized the demolition of the complex in 2001, wanting only five of the original buildings to be preserved, and the land to be sold. The plan was to use the money from the sale to finance a new building for the Berlinische Galerie, a museum of modern art, photography and architecture. The plans were not welcomed by current and former inhabitants of the student village, and a resistance movement initiated by the Local Government fought to preserve the village, and demolition was averted.
Architects: Hermann Fehling, Daniel Gogel, and Peter Pfankuch designed the buildings for the first building phase (1057-1959) and second building phase (1962-1964).
Harmony Commons
Co-owner: The LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada (LPFCEC)
Harmony Commons, a dormitory building for the University of Toronto Scarborough, is one of the largest Passive House buildings in Canad, and also one of the largest Passive House dormitories in the world. It has been recognized as a Passive House Building by the Passivhaus Institut in Darmstadt, Germany, which means it meets the institutes energy use standards.
Completed in 2023, the building, which is located on campus, is comprised of three volumes organized in a U-shape, with a raised, central courtyard in the center. It has room for 746 first-year students, and also contains offices and a dining hall.
Among other things, the building recovers heat from both ventilation exhausts and wastewater, to become more energy efficient. The windows have been sized to maximize natural light, while keeping heat in.
Architects: Handel Architects
St Anselm Hall
Owner: University of Manchester
St Anselm Hall (nicknamed Slems) is a University of Manchester hall of residence located in Victoria Park, a suburban area roughly two miles south of the city center. Situated on Kent Road East, the hall occupies the whole southern side of the road.
St Anselm Hall was founded in 1907 by Rev. Thomas B. Allworthy on behalf of the Church of England. Back then, it was the Saint Anselm´s Hostel, and it was intended as a place for working-class male students who were studying for holy orders in Manchester, where a theology department had been established just a few years prior. The hostel was named after Anselm fo Aosta, who served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109.
When the hostel was opened on its first address – at 105 Droylsden Road – in 1907, it was announced as a hostel “for free training and preparation with maintenance, of candidates for Holy Orders”, and had room for eight students. As the hostel grew, a new site at Kent House was secured by Edmund Knox, Bishop of Manchester, and the students moved there in late 1914. As the hostel was re-opened after the move, it was renamed St Anselm´s Hall. Since then, St Anselm Hall has remained in that location – now for well over a century – although the building has been altered and added to in several ways over the years. One example of an early addition is the Dewar wing, added in 1927.
At its Kent House location, St Anselm´s Hall eventually merged with Gartness Hall, an institution that also provided accommodation for Anglican ordinands. The apostrophe was dropped from the name in 1933, the same year as the hall became financially independent from the Church of England´s Central Board of Finance.
The hall stayed open during World War II, during which it housed several men from the armed forces who were taking short training courses at the university.
In 1954, the hall was licensed by the University of Manchester and became an official hall of residence for university students. In 1956, ownership was transferred to the university. As a part of these changes, the hall´s student capacity was increased from 70 to 130. The hall kept its strong ties with the Church of England, but it was no longer a purely Anglican institution, and academics from other fields than theology were allowed to stay there as well.
In the 1960s, the hall´s student capacity increased to around 140. The Manor and Summerfield wings were added, along with a dining hall and a new chapel. In 1974, the hall was classified as a Grade II listed building. The chapel from the 1960s is still in use as an Anglican place of worship.
Since there is no longer any warden living on site, the warden´s house has been refitted to house post-graduates.
Only male students lived in St Anselm Hall until 2017, when the first female students were admitted. Until then, St Anselm was the last remaining all-male university-owned hall of residence in all of the United Kingdom. At the time of writing, roughly half of the hall´s residents are women.
A tradition that is still in place at St Anselm, even though it has become rare in the UK, is the communal formal dinner which takes place every weekday during term time. The communal dinner is still central to student life at St Anselm, and has helped foster its close-knit community.
The traditional hall toast is Floreat Aula Sanctus Anselmi, which means “May St Anselm Hall flourish”.
Student Housing History and Development
In the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, and especially in England, there is a long history of residential universities where students live in colleges. Up until the mid 1800s, a student living in a college was typically renting an unfurnished place, bought their own food, and paid their own servants.
A groundbreaking change occurred when the a Church of England priest and university administrator David Melville established f Bishop Hatfield’s Hall (now Hatfield College) at Durham University in 1846. Bishop Hatfield’s Hall introduced several changes that would eventually become widespread. The rooms were furnished, all meals were eaten communally, and all expenses were not only to be reasonable but also fixed in advance. This served to make university housing more affordable. A few years later, in 1852, the Oxford University Commission praised Hatfield’s Hall, recommending Oxford University to create something similar. The Oxford University Reform Act 1854 made substantial changes to how Oxford University was administered and permitted the establishment of private halls, but private halls never became very popular at Oxford.
It should be noted that even though England has a long history of residential universities, the colleges of 19th century London were originally non-residential. In the mid-1800s, University Hall was established by (mainly) Unitarian Dissenters for students at University College London, and in 1857, King´s College London established a hall for theology students (but it only remained in use for a little more than a decade).
The great expansion of higher education in the 20th century increased demands for student housing
The 20th century was marked by a great expansion of higher education – and much greater demands for student housing. Right before the outbreak of World War II, most universities had less than 25% of their students living in colleges and halls. The exceptions were Oxford, Cambrigde, Exeter, Reading, Southampton, Nottingham, Bristol, and Durham-Newcastle. After the end of the war, 65+ halls were built in little over a decade, but this was still far from enough to keep up with expanding housing needs for students. Many of the students ended up renting from private landlords, or living with family or relatives, instead of residing in any of the halls or colleges. Between 1943 and 1963, the number of university students living at home with their parents dropped from 42% to 20%, and the number of students in private lodgings increased from 33% to 52%.
Student housing in the 21st century – private sector landlords still absorb a large chunk of the demand
At the time of writing, in the 2020s, most universities in the UK private hall accommodation for first year students who make a firm acceptance of their offer. This type of university-run accommodation will normally entail living in a shared single-sex flat, but dorm-style rooms also exist. Halls can be self-catered, part-catered, or fully catered.
In many university towns and cities, purpose-built private halls (PBSA) have become a very important element when it comes to university students finding somewhere to live within a reasonable distance to the university, as the accommodation offered by colleges and university halls are not enough to place all university students. Many of these halls have been created through partnerships between the university and private developers, and they are often more expensive for the tenant compared to living in a college or university hall.
Studies have shown that in the UK, international students tend to prefer PBSAs while domestic students prefer houses in multiple occupation (HMO). HMO is a British term denoting a residential property where common areas are shared by more than one household. This has raised concerns that international students coming in from other countries are living segregated from domestic students, as one group stays in the PBSAs and the other group in HMOs. Similar trends have been observed in Australia and New Zealand.
In London, commercial sector purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) buildings are now chiefly being established in outer London, where land is less pricey. The London Plan (a statutory spatial development strategy for the Greater London area ) require PBSAs to have a minimum of 35% of their rooms rented at 55% or less of the maximum student loan for London. This has helped keep accommodation costs down for students, but it has also prevented PBSAs from being financially viable in more expensive parts of London.
In 2024, 111,000 students were guaranteed a place in halls (including contracted private halls) by their respective university, but there were only around 100,000 beds available in halls and private PBSAs. This shortage has become a major problem, and the University College London has even removed their housing guarantee for incoming students as a result.
In the United States
In the early colonial colleges, founded in the 1600s and onward, students would normally live within the main college building, where both education and accommodation was provided under the same roof. A notable anomaly was the primarily residential Harvard Indian College building, established as early as 1650, as a part of a mission to train Native American students at Harvard College. This building also contained a printing press, and the first Bible ever printed in British America was printed here in a Native American language (the Massachusett language). The first exclusive residential university building in British America was Stoughton Hall, built at Harvard in 1698, and funded by Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor William Stoughton, who also presided over the Salem witch trials.
Today, in the 21st century, most colleges and universities in the United States provide single och multiple occupancy rooms for their students in residence halls. Outside the academic world, this type of student accommodation is generally known as dormitories or simply dorms. A configuration that is still very common in the United States is the one were two students share one room, and everyone in the same residence hall have access to shared bathroom facilities. Newer residence halls are more likely to offer single rooms, and rooms where the bathroom is en-suit.
Students living in residence halls in the U.S. will usually live very close to the educational facilities of the university, and this can be a driving force when selecting student housing, as comparable private alternatives are often further away. Living in a residence hall is especially common among first-year students, a prevalence boosted by the fact that first-year students are commonly not allowed to park motorized vehicles on campus. Many universities in the United States give priority to first-year students when residence hall rooms are allocated.
Because of these combined factors, the private student housing market in the United States chiefly targets students from their second year and onward, including post-graduates.
In India
In India, most of the universities have student accommodation on-campus, but not enough for the total number of students enrolled. A lot of the students live off campus, and among those many live in hostels or PG housing. PG housing and private hostels off campus tend to have better amenities and services than the on-campus accommodations.