A new breed of student accommodation answers increasing international students’ demands
- Number of international students studying in UK increases 57% in 10 years (CBRE)
- EU applicants increase 4.5%, non-EU increase 5.7% in 2014 (UCAS)
- International students demand higher quality accommodation with additional facilities (Collegiate AC)
The UK is the second most popular destination worldwide for internationally mobile students, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Outpaced only by the US, which edged ahead with the lion’s share, and given its relative size, the European counterpart is steaming ahead – and increasingly so.
Over the course of the last 10 years, the number of international students arriving to study in the UK has grown by 57%, a huge increase formed by 68.7% additional students from the EU and a 32.4% increase in non-EU students, according to figures from CBRE. And with a 4.5% increase in applicants to UK courses from EU students in 2014, and a 5.7% increase in applicants from outside the EU, according to UCAS, it is clear to see that the appetite for securing a UK university education is unerring.
As a world-renowned destination for higher education studies, combined with the historical attractiveness of many of the United Kingdom’s university institutions who do not simply offer some of the best facilities and teaching in the world but also the prestige associated with a centuries-old tradition of further study, it is not surprising that more and more international students are settling in the UK. Yet, whilst the education system may serve to provide everything and more for an overseas student looking for a solid higher education, until recently the housing market sadly did not.
Known for its somewhat tired, often cramped property offerings, the UK student accommodation sector is seriously lacking and certainly does nothing to support students. Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC explains why this often presents a particular challenge for an international student,
“The evolution from home-life to a new life of living and studying abroad, is often difficult. Filled with the tribulations of making new friends, adjusting to life in a foreign country, finding out where all the best places to visit in the new city are, and making the very most of study time, the transition to an overseas university education can be overwhelming for many.
“This is where a student property can make or break a living experience and where a high-quality home can ease not just the transition to university life in the UK but also sustain a long-term enjoyable and successful university career.”
In relatively recent times the infamous run-down student ‘digs’ have begun to change for the better, with the bringing to market of a new breed of student property. Companies such as Collegiate AC, at the leading edge of student accommodation provision, provide an array of luxurious properties that offer a wide range of additional facilities to support not only study but also student living.
Facilities such as on-site gyms, private cinemas, laundry rooms and luxury lounges, mean that easing into a new social situation is trouble-free, meaning making friends is easier and settling into a new living arrangement is painless, especially important for international students who are often away from home for the first time. Alongside this, free Wi-Fi and ergonomically-designed study spaces mean that learning is wholly supported and students are able to make the very most of their time.
In addition to this, 24-hour security makes properties safe and offers a high level of reassurance to families at home, again a key reason why Collegiate AC properties are extremely popular with the international student market.
Offering a wide range of accommodation throughout some of the UK’s finest university cities, including Birmingham, Leeds, London, Southampton, Liverpool, Exeter and Edinburgh, Collegiate AC offers peace of mind, beautiful interiors and some of the best student properties the UK has to offer. The perfect accommodation solution for today’s internationally mobile student.
For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate on 01235 250 140.