As a result, Glenigan data now puts the value of these starts as higher than any other social housing sector.

At the start of this year, there were 50,250 PBSA bedspaces under construction across the UK, with almost two-thirds of all activity focused on London (14,600), Bristol (5,000), Glasgow (4,300), Coventry (3,600), and Manchester (3,500).

It comes as the underlying demand for student accommodation is set to remain strong. For the 2026/27 academic year, UK universities received a record 619,360 applications, up 3% on last year. Applications from international students rose by 5% to 124,830.

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According to Glenigan construction data, PBSA construction schemes are also emerging as a form of tenure within mixed housing developments.

In Southwark, detailed plans have been granted, and tenders returned on the £100m Loman Street redevelopment involving two buildings to provide nine storeys of PBSA with 600 beds, along with 71 social housing flats and commercial and restaurant space.

Similarly, in Bristol, detailed plans have been granted for a PBSA-led, mixed-use development on the site of a former car park in Rupert Street. It involves some 328 student beds and around 250 conventional flats together with retail and commercial space.

Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, plans have recently been approved on appeal and work is due to start this autumn on a £45.8m PBSA project.