• Nottingham secures Purple Flag accreditation for 7^th consecutive year (ATCM)
• University of Nottingham number 1 for graduate employment (The Times)
• Fusion Students, alongside Collegiate AC, launch brand new Nova residence in Nottingham

The university city of Nottingham is celebrating securing Purple Flag accreditation for an impressive seventh consecutive year.

Operated by the Association of Town and City Management, the accreditation of a Purple Flag (the scheme that recognises excellence in the management of UK town and city centres at night) indicates that Nottingham is a safe and vibrant place for a night out and therefore the ideal location for students to feel secure and at home during their time at university.

The highly sought-after accreditation is based upon a number of core themes including the overall wellbeing of the place, accessibility and public transport, crowd management, access to information, assortment of venues such as pubs, bars and late night spots and attractive public spaces. And with Nottingham proudly retaining its Purple Flag accolade for the seventh consecutive year, it’s hardly spurring that it is fast becoming the perfect student city, combining a fun and friendly atmosphere with exceptional higher education institutions.

Results from the latest census reveal that out of the total population of just under 319,000 in Nottingham, 37,000 are university students. With students comprising 11.6% of the population and growing, accommodation is in demand and the best is quick to sell-out.

Indeed, the demand for accommodation from students choosing Nottingham for their higher education is set to rise even further with the news that the University of Nottingham has been named the 2016 University of the Year for Graduate Employment according to The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, moving the institution back into the top 20 on the national league table.

Answering this demand for residences is Fusion Students, provider of luxury student accommodation in the UK, alongside their management partner Collegiate AC. Their brand new Nova site is aptly named as it allows residents to shine brightly from the luxuriously star-studded premium accommodation.

Warren Rosenberg, co-founder of Fusion Students, comments,

“Nottingham is not only emerging as a place of first class education but also a lively, cultural city, the perfect location for students. With the University of Nottingham now ranked in the top 1% according to the 2016 QS World University Rankings, at Fusion Students we have noticed the brilliance of the city and all it has to offer.

“We are therefore proud to announce our brand new Nottingham based high-tech student accommodation site, Nova, opening on the 24^th of October and available for bookings. We are thrilled to be working with Collegiate AC once more and are confident that Nova is the perfect accommodation for those that want the feel of a boutique hotel with amazing facilities on offer to make sure that student living is truly luxurious and fun!”

The latest addition to Collegiate AC’s Fusion collection, Nova delivers an outstanding blend of facilities and service to the city’s most discerning students. The brand new accommodation comprises 437 rooms, each of which has been carefully interior designed and finished to a high standard. Every room comes with a double bed, ample storage (including a double wardrobe), 42” television, USB sockets and free 200mb Wi-Fi.

At Nova you’ll be in the midst of the bustling culture of Nottingham with shops, restaurants and leisure facilities just a short walk away. Easy access to the University of Nottingham with tram and bus links and Nottingham Trent University union and campus buildings only five minutes away by foot.

The brand new site offers study and conference rooms with purpose built hammocks for studying; party rooms with a state of the art sound systems with lighting, DJ booth, bar and dance floor; private fully equipped gym; games room with table football, ice hockey and table tennis; private cinema with high-tech facilities and a cold store to keep your groceries fresh until you arrive back from lectures.

The 24/7 concierge team are always there to help, providing free coffee at breakfast and to sign for deliveries when students are busy, as well as keeping security and safety foremost in mind.

For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on 01235 250 140.

• Fusion Students, alongside Collegiate AC, launch brand new Eclipse residence in Cardiff
• Cardiff is home to a new, never before seen standard of student accommodation (Fusion Students)
• Exclusive Alice in Wonderland themed Nightclub, Keg Fridays and complimentary breakfast Tea and Coffee for residents 

Cardiff is home to a new, never before seen standard of student accommodation. Fusion Students, provider of luxury student accommodation in the UK, alongside their management partner Collegiate AC, have revealed their latest addition to the capital’s student scene. The brand new site Eclipse is set to break the mould and enhance students’ lives for a stylish, first class living experience.

Fusion Students are proud to reveal their Eclipse residence, complete with premium features to make its’ residents time at university the very best it can be.

The on-site Alice in Wonderland themed nightclub aptly named ‘The Rabbit Hole’ has a secret entrance, is equipped with a bar for students to create their own drinks and hosts a top of the range sound system. It is sure to kick-start any party with residents socialising and no doubt grinning like Cheshire cats.

Another fantastic aspect of the new site includes Keg Fridays which offers free beer on Fridays to help cut your weekly spending and complimentary tea and coffee at breakfast to make sure students are prepared for long days of lectures or studying in the on-site private study and conference rooms. A personal Mad Hatters tea party to start each day with the help of the on-site concierge team is certain to make students feel settled and at home.

Eclipse boasts a long list of amazing features, such as a French Renaissance themed dining room (bookable to throw dinner parties and special occasions), an on-site gym (with exercise classes available), private cinema room, outdoor recreational space with beautiful landscaping and hammocks, table games throughout (ping pong, fussball and ice hockey) and a total sense of security with 24/7 staffing and concierge team, all for an all-inclusive rate.

Warren Rosenberg, co-founder of Fusion Students, explains the significance of the new Cardiff development. He comments,

“We pride ourselves in being a lot more than just a bedroom for students, but a living experience to remember. We focus on creating a strong, sociable community for our residents to thrive. We are thrilled to be working with Collegiate AC to provide unique facilities in ideal locations, close to universities for students across the UK. Eclipse is no different as it is situated only a short walk to the main Cardiff shopping area and capital city as well as being in close proximity to the University of South Wales and the University of Cardiff.

“An eclipse is a rare and stunning occasion which does not want to be missed. With the site opening this month, the new residence is fittingly named and is certain to impress.”

The accommodation has an array of room types available including ensuites, shared rooms, studios and apartments. With 686 rooms, Eclipse is a huge community of students, each room has a double bed, 42” television, desk and study area as well as ample storage with double wardrobes. In addition to sophisticated sleeping options, the residence also has many casual study and relaxing spaces.

With the perfect student location, exceptional accommodation and one of a kind facilities available, Eclipse has to be seen to be believed and is definitely not one to be missed.

If you would like to view the online video of the site, please click here.

For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on 01235 250 140.

• Student accommodation market worth US$200 billion globally (JLL)
• New European Student Living Fund to support accommodation development in European centres of academic excellence
• Best in class UK accommodation model to be rolled out across Europe (Collegiate)

Within just a few short years, the student accommodation market has gone from a niche investment opportunity to a mainstream asset class worth around US$200 billion globally, according to estimates by JLL.

In Europe, the UK has been leading the way in terms of how to approach this market, with pioneers such as Collegiate AC rapidly raising standards and expectations when it comes to best in class student housing.

Now, Collegiate AC has joined forces with Shuman Capital in order to launch the €300 million European Student Living Fund, which will support countries across Europe with strong academic credentials to be at the forefront of developing state of the art student accommodation.

Shuman Capital, a division of Stam Europe, will work in partnership with specialist operator Collegiate to exploit the under-supply of appropriate student accommodation in Europe on a sophisticated basis. Stam Europe is a Paris based investment manager operating both funds and separate accounts with Assets under Management of €1, 5 billion.

The €300 million professional investor fund will be invested in procuring assets developed to Collegiate’s product and brand specification, leveraging on Collegiate’s international marketing reach.

Collegiate CEO Heriberto Cuanalo comments,

“Collegiate’s partnership with Shuman Capital marks the dawning of a new era for student accommodation in Europe. The European Student Living Fund will focus on cities known for their academic excellence, working to introduce a step-change to the student accommodation on offer.”

The accommodation assets will typically be a minimum of 350 beds, which will benefit from the full service offering of the Collegiate Prestige five star plus product and service specification. That specification includes a host of luxury features, from on-site cinema rooms and gyms to VIP bars, club rooms and gaming centres, as well as outstanding facilities for studying and superb individual apartments. Hotel-style concierge arrangements will ensure that the quality of the facilities is matched by that of the service available.

Shuman Capital Chairman Michiel Olland comments,

“We are thrilled by the strategic partnership with Collegiate. Their excellent operating skills are matching with our views on managing student accommodation and in line with our investment strategy. This collaboration will clearly add value for the partner investors in the fund.”

As a long-established provider of sophisticated student accommodation, Collegiate is well positioned to take forward the new partnership with Shuman Capital. Collegiate is already a strategic operating partner to a select number of investors and developers on a long term basis, including Fusion Students and other UK, USA and European clients.

Collegiate is also an operating partner of Empiric Student Property plc for part of its portfolio and supported Empiric through its IPO. Collegiate is a long way from the traditional operating companies in the student accommodation sector thanks to its development management support function and strong brand, marketing and product standards.

It is a name already recognised by students internationally and the new European Student Living Fund will support the expansion of the company’s unique brand of excellence to many more cities across Europe over the coming years.

Collegiate CEO Heriberto Cuanalo and Managing Partners Michiel Olland, Knut Riesmeier and Guy Remans of Shuman Capital Shuman Capital will be attending the Expo Real International Trade Fair for Property & Investment held in Munich, Germany on 4-6 October 2016 and are available to meet with the media and / or other interested parties.

For more information or to arrange a meeting at the Expo Real event, contact Collegiate on +44 1235 250 140 or visit www.services.collegiate-ac.com.

• More than half of students find managing money stressful, yet 39% still don’t create a budget (Natwest Student Living Index)
• Collegiate AC accommodation offers inclusive billing and luxury communal facilities to ease budgeting (Collegiate AC)
• Student spending prioritises groceries, utility bills and eating out (Natwest Student Living Index)

As the new academic year begins, many students are leaving home for the first time and one of the key lessons they will quickly learn is how to budget. Mastering this particular skill can take some time as students acquire new spending habits in fitting with their university life.

With this in mind, Natwest, in partnership with an independent research company, have produced the Student Living Index report to unearth the true realities of student expenditure, from what is considered essential spending, to the real financial impact of socialising and the true cost of students’ hobbies and interests.

Based on data from 2,500 students living in 25 popular university cities across the UK, the enlightening research reveals that 52% of students admit to finding money management stressful. However, a substantial 39% are still not using any form of planning or budget when it comes to managing their money.

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of the leading provider of luxury student accommodation in the UK, Collegiate AC, explains the importance of budgeting and how a modern student property can help,

“A key aspect of planning for university life is understanding your finances and creating a budget by which to stick to on a week by week basis. Every student budget will vary depending on individual circumstances and it is advisable to create your own to include personal requirements, estimating weekly expenses as you go.

“Whilst an important skill to learn, financial planning when you have left home for the first time can be challenging and this is where modern purpose built student accommodation can help. At Collegiate AC, not only are our properties close to university ensuring that money is saved on travel, we also provide extra amenities included in our billing. This can help reduce day-to-day expenses whilst enhancing the living and studying experience: this is the future of university living.”

According to this year’s Student Living Index report, students still spend more per week on groceries than anything else, with utility bills and eating out ranking second and third, swapping places in comparison with 2015’s results.

Monthly utility bills can fluctuate and allowing for this within a weekly student budget can become difficult, especially when unexpected costs occur. In order to eradicate this monetary concern for residents, Collegiate AC properties have utility bills and unlimited Wi-Fi included in the rental price as standard, meaning that students know where they stand with their finances in advance.

As Cuanalo indicates, alongside inclusive billing, Collegiate AC properties also boast a variety of additional facilities available to residents at no additional cost, again assisting with budgeting and in turn reassuring parents and guardians from afar.

With eating out remaining in the top three of student expenditures, Collegiate AC’s Water Lane Apartments in Bristol benefits from a private dining room that provides residents with the ideal venue to throw their very own dinner parties, eliminating the need to eat out so frequently.

Leeds’ premier student residences, Pennine House, also boasts an array of excellent inclusive facilities. These range from an on-site cinema to provide the ultimate in home entertainment, to the on-site private gym, exclusive to residents and stocked with the latest exercise equipment to allow students to save on expensive gym memberships, a key advantage when calculating a weekly budget.

With Natwest’s latest report also highlighting that, contrary to popular belief, the majority of students’ time is spent studying – approximately 30 hours a week compared to just 8.9 hours spent socialising – Collegiate AC understand the importance of effective study areas in their properties.

With reading and work rooms available for individual study or in a group, Collegiate AC’s high-specification and beautifully designed Saxon Court Apartments, set in Reading, are equipped with study and common rooms, ideal for just this purpose.

For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on 01235 250 140.

• More students call Birmingham home than any other UK city except London (The Telegraph)
• Birmingham has one of the highest percentages of under 25s in Europe, almost 40% of the population
• Collegiate AC launch contemporary university residence in the city’s buzzing Selly Oak student district

A new guide to the University of Birmingham, published by The Telegraph, has revealed that Birmingham is home to more students than any other UK city, with the exception of London. In fact, the number of undergraduates, postgraduates and young professionals that call the city home is rapidly increasing and now almost 40% of the population is aged under 25, one of the highest percentages in Europe.

Such a youthful population means that the city is perfectly prepared for the student lifestyle, with cafés, pubs, restaurants, shops, bars, galleries, clubs and museum offering a huge range of both educational and entertainment options. In order to meet the expectations of new and existing students, Birmingham’s student accommodation is constantly evolving to suit to those looking for a stylish lifestyle that makes the most of such a vibrant city.

800 Bristol Road is the newest addition to Birmingham’s student residences, and will certainly be the envy of many of its predecessors. Part of the UK’s leading luxury student accommodation provider Collegiate AC’s Prestige Collection, 800 Bristol Road will provide students with the perfect environment for study and socialising.  In the heart of the city’s buzzing Selly Oak student district, the property offers contemporary, spacious studio apartments with en-suite shower rooms, kitchens and desk areas.

As well as state of the art sleeping quarters, students will also be able to take full advantage of the exclusive on-site facilities. The residents’ club lounge provides the ideal atmosphere for listening to music and relaxing in good company, an on-site cinema will ensure you can watch the latest movies in comfort and style and an exclusive dinner party room that will allow you to show off your culinary talents… or simply to get together with friends for a delivery pizza feast.

With a beautiful new show flat now available for viewings, Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC, is delighted to see the project come to fruition and is confident in the university lifestyle it can offer Birmingham’s student population. He comments,

“800 Bristol Road will provide students with a unique living experience, enabling them to make the most of their university careers both studiously and socially. The lifestyle-led apartments and social spaces have been carefully designed to create an environment where students can feel safe and looked after. Having now seen the show flat, I am very much looking forward to welcoming the first residents in the new semester.”

From £193 a week, with high speed broadband and Wi-Fi throughout the property, 800 Bristol Road is the perfect home for students who want to get the most out of their university accommodation. With a modern setting and a welcoming environment, 800 Bristol Road will provide a home away from home for its residents.

For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on 01235 250 140.