In an update for the first quarter of 2025, the student accommodation specialist also revealed occupancy of up to 98% for the same academic year.

Of this amount, 75% of beds have already been sold with demand also leading to upgrades to the firm’s fund valuations.

This rental growth expectation has driven valuation increases of 0.7% and 0.8% for the Unite UK Student Accommodation Fund and London Student Accommodation Joint Venture, respectively.

As of 31st March 2025, these portfolios are valued at £2.9bn and £2.1bn.

Unite is also bolstering its pipeline of properties.

•   The Finance Professional Show 2024: The Video
•   Unite flags landlord exodus opportunity as earnings grow 16%
•   Unite completes £450m capital raise

The company also revealed it is in “advanced stages” of agreeing a new joint venture with Manchester Metropolitan University to develop 2,300 beds at the latter’s Cambridge Halls for delivery by 2030.

A planning application for a joint venture with Newcastle University is expected to go to committee in May, which would enable the delivery of a first phase by the 2028/29 academic year.

And, following an earlier rejection by a local planning committee, the Mayor of London has now called in a 605-bed PBSA development at TP Paddington.

"Student numbers are expected to increase again for the 2025/26 academic year due to a growing UK 18-year-old population and improving trends in international student recruitment,” said Joe Lister, CEO at Unite Students. “Reservations have accelerated in recent weeks, in line with our expectations for a later leasing cycle, and are underpinned by nomination agreements from our university partners.”