Simon Griffiths shares their outlook on the future of UK student accommodation, from evolving demand and investment to affordability, sustainability and student experience.
Market & Demand
What fundamental shifts do you anticipate in UK student demand over the next decade, and how should the sector position itself to respond?
To what extent are changing student demographics and expectations reshaping the design and location of accommodation assets?
Over the next decade, UK student demand will be shaped by demographic change, affordability pressures and rising expectations. International demand will remain important, with growth increasingly coming from markets such as India, the Philippines and African nations. However, students are becoming more discerning and value-conscious as PBSA competes with build-to-rent, co-living and other private rental options.
Value will increasingly extend beyond price to include flexibility, safety, wellbeing, community, employability and access to support. Parents are also playing a greater role in accommodation decisions, making it important for operators to communicate clearly what is included at each price point.
The sector must respond with a more flexible, service-led and differentiated offering.
Changing demographics are also reshaping design and future schemes must offer a range of room types and price points, while balancing privacy with high-quality communal, study and social spaces. Location decisions must consider not only proximity to universities, but also transport, amenities and access to the wider city.
Ultimately, operators must create environments in which students can live, learn and develop successfully.
Student Experience & Value Proposition
How is the definition of “value” changing for students, and what must operators do differently to meet those expectations?
In what ways can accommodation providers contribute more meaningfully to student wellbeing, community, and academic success?
Value is increasingly about the complete experience rather than simply the rent or the physical specification of a room. Students are assessing whether their accommodation offers security, convenience, connectivity, community and access to the support they need. A lower-priced product will not necessarily represent good value if it leaves a student isolated, poorly supported or unable to study effectively.
Operators must therefore be clearer about what is included within the experience and ensure that services respond to different needs and budgets. This includes reliable technology, well-designed spaces, responsive management and meaningful opportunities to build connections. It also requires greater consistency between the experience promised during the booking process and the service delivered once a student moves in.
At Yugo, our Live Your Best Life (LYBL) programme brings this approach to life through three pillars: YugoEco, YuPro and YuGrow. It gives students opportunities to live more sustainably, develop personally and professionally, and build meaningful connections within their communities. Crucially, the programme is available across our living spaces and price points, helping us provide a consistent student experience while responding to different individual needs.
Operators can contribute significantly to wellbeing and academic success by creating environments that make it easier for students to form relationships, access support and establish a sense of belonging. This does not mean attempting to replace universities or specialist services. It means recognising the important role accommodation teams play in students’ everyday lives and building strong referral pathways and partnerships with universities and local organisations.
Affordability & Regulation
How can the sector address increasing affordability pressures while maintaining viable and attractive returns?
What impact do you expect regulatory changes to have on the sector, and how should boards proactively respond?
Affordability is one of the most significant challenges facing the sector. Addressing it requires more than reducing specification or limiting services, as that can undermine both the student experience and the long-term performance of an asset. Instead, providers should focus on offering a broader range of product and price points, improving operational efficiency and ensuring that students can clearly understand the overall value of what they are paying for.
Renters’ Rights Act
How do you anticipate the Renters Reform Act will reshape the risk profile, operational model, and investment attractiveness of the student accommodation sector, and how should boards respond strategically?
What changes have your organisation already made?
The Act raises expectations around transparency, consistency and accountability across the residential sector. For boards, this reinforces the need for robust tenancy frameworks, strong compliance oversight and systems capable of demonstrating that appropriate standards are being met. Code membership should not be viewed simply as a regulatory requirement but as an operational commitment that must be reflected consistently across properties and teams.
At Yugo, we have been reviewing our tenancy documentation, operational processes and compliance controls to ensure they remain clear, consistent and aligned with the new framework. This includes monitoring the legislation and accompanying guidance, confirming the status of relevant properties under approved codes and ensuring teams understand the requirements and can communicate them clearly to students. The wider strategic priority is operational resilience, maintaining strong governance while continuing to provide students with a fair, transparent and dependable experience.
Thank you to Simon Griffiths, Senior Vice President of Operations, Yugo, for your insights.