• Student spending priorities revealed as groceries, eating out and utility bills (Natwest Student Living Index)
• Collegiate AC accommodation offers inclusive billing and luxury communal facilities to ease budgeting (Collegiate AC)
• Students spend on average 28 hours a week studying compared with only 12.5 hours socialising (Natwest Student Living Index)

For a student leaving home for the first time, one of the key lessons they will quickly learn is how to budget, with this an often treacherous minefield that can be especially worrying for parents miles away at home, concerned about their son or daughter’s spending habits. In line with this, 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 25 UK universities, the enlightening research reveals that students spend more per week on groceries than anything else, with eating out and utility bills ranking second and third as financial drains.

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 benefit,

“A key aspect of planning for university life is understanding your finances and creating a budget by which to stick to on a week to week basis. Every student budget will vary depending on individual circumstances and it is always 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 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 day-to-day expenses reduce, whilst enhancing the living and studying experience: this is the future of university living.”

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 that are available to residents at no additional cost, again assisting with budgeting and in turn reassuring parents and guardians from afar.

With eating out taking second place in student spending, Collegiate AC’s 333 Bath Street in Glasgow benefits from a private dining room that allows residents to throw their very own impressive dinner parties, eliminating the need to eat out so often.

Southampton’s premier student residences, Brunswick Apartments, 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. With the Natwest Student Living Index showing that students spend more on gym membership than any other sport or fitness activity, having free access to this facility is a key advantage when calculating a weekly budget.

With the report also highlighting that, contrary to popular belief, the majority of students’ time is spent studying – approximately 28 hours a week compared to just 12.5 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 Hope Street Apartments, set in the heart of Liverpool, are equipped with seminar and common rooms, ideal for just this purpose.

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

• Collegiate AC provide Summer Lets in 6 different locations across the UK, including London the world’s most popular capital in 2015
• Collegiate AC accommodation is available during the summer months for all students, not just current residents
• Rates starting from just £140 a week

With lecture halls and common rooms having closed their doors for the summer holiday, the majority of students will be saying goodbye to their university family and moving back home. However, an alternative option is now available, a way of continuing the student lifestyle into the summer season and making the most of the holidays.

As the leading provider of luxury student properties in the UK, Collegiate AC are offering Summer Lets, with a selection of their accommodation available for the summer break.

With 11 properties located across 6 different UK citiesrticipating, Collegiate AC residents have the chance to stay in their accommodation or take advantage of the opportunity to visit an entirely different city for the summer. The scheme also provides students, who are not currently Collegiate AC residents, the chance to upgrade their summer experience with a taste of luxury living.

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC, explains further,

“We have certainly noticed a rise in demand for Summer Lets this year, whether students have enrolled on a summer course, organised a work placement, are attending a festival or simply visiting friends and family. Collegiate AC accommodation offers current residents a sense of familiarity during the summer break, as well as allowing students who have not yet stayed with us to experience the benefits of the outstanding facilities featured in our properties.”

Figures released last month reveal that London is the world’s most popular capital, with 18.82 million visitors expected to make overnight trips this year. With accommodation available, Collegiate AC residents are also flocking to London to spend the summer there and Halsmere Studios, located in the heart of South London, provides the perfect base for those looking to discover the capital.

Spanning one period property and one modern building, the studios are spacious and well designed with comfortable furnishings. The property includes a range of features, such as secure bike storage, high-speed broadband and Wi-Fi throughout and a private garden and BBQ area to make the most of the British sunshine.

As well as London, other locations are becoming increasingly popular with students, from those looking to experience Edinburgh’s celebrated Fringe festival to those heading towards the coast for MTV ‘crashes’ Plymouth. Collegiate AC’s Summer Lets are available in ideal summer destinations to all students, even those that are not currently Collegiate AC residents, with prices starting from just £140 a week.

Situated close to Plymouth city centre, and less than 40 minutes from Cornwall’s stunning coastline, St Augustine’s House is another Collegiate AC property, perfect for a summer retreat. With much larger than average student rooms, the range of contemporary studio, one and two bedroomed apartments all have high-gloss kitchens, individual en-suite facilities, flat-screen TVs, double beds and generous study and storage space. Additional facilities include a private gym, bike storage and a fantastic roof terrace perfect for enjoying long summer evenings.

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

• Student top priorities revealed as fast internet, inclusive bills and double beds (Glide Utilities)
• The continued ‘flight to quality’ is set to continue (Savills)
• Collegiate AC provides all of aspects highlighted by report and undertake own tenant surveys

Mel Gibson’s classic film ‘What Women Want’ famously shone a light on the supposed truth of the inner thoughts and needs of the female of species, purportedly revealing their secret ‘wants’ and allowing men to learn some very enlightening aspects about the feminine psyche. Now, in a similar guise, the ‘What Students Seek’ report by Glide Utilities has revealed the hitherto unknown aspects that are key to modern students’ property needs.

The 2015 survey has revealed that the top priority by far for this year’s students is fast internet, with 83% of those asked placing this form of technological communication and online research tool above all other important aspects. Next in line was inclusive bills, with almost three-quarters, or 74%, of respondents saying that this was something they specifically looked for when choosing their accommodation, rating it as either ‘essential’ or ‘important’, revealing that today’s students like to know where they stand up-front with their student property, and in turn their finances.

The survey also showed that 61% required their rooms to have double beds and 59% needed their property to offer big, functional communal rooms, something that is often thought of as lacking in the stereotypically cramped student flats of old.

As the leading provider of luxury students properties in the UK, Collegiate AC pride themselves on knowing precisely what students seek, also undertaking regular surveys of their tenants to determine their priorities. Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC, explains more,

“The demands of today’s student is very different even to, say, a student of five years ago and keeping abreast of these evolving demands is key to providing the very best student accommodation. At Collegiate AC, we provide all of the aspects highlighted in the new ‘What Students Seek’ report, with our inclusive billing covering super-fast broadband and Wi-Fi in every room, fabulously comfy double beds, and a variety of common rooms, reading rooms and work rooms to provide our residents with the spaces they need to live and study in comfort.”

The ‘What Students Seek’ survey also found that respondents are looking for their property to have a top location (55%) and good transportation links (31%). Again, Collegiate AC opt for properties that are close to the city centre, so that residents can enjoy easy access to a wide variety of shops, restaurants and other facilities, also ensuring that they are well-located for access to university campuses, giving residents the convenience of having everything they need on their doorstep.

James Villarreal, CEO at Glide Utilities explains that the results of the ‘What Students Seek’ report provide an insight into the wider context of evolving student demands,

“The secret to gaining student appeal in 2015 is definitely ‘more is more’. While the majority of students are satisfied with their accommodation, we can’t ignore the fact that this figure is gradually falling. This isn’t because conditions are slipping, necessarily, but that student expectations are rising.”

These increasing expectations of the modern student reveal that university accommodation today is not just seen as a place merely to lay your head, with this also being highlighted by the newly released Savills Spotlight report on ‘UK Student Housing’ 2015. The report confirms that,

“The introduction of higher fees appears to have continued to drive a flight to quality… The attractiveness of universities in terms of the quality of the education they provide, their value for money, employment prospects and even the student lifestyle offered by the town or city will continue to play an important role in where prospective students choose to go…. We expect the ‘flight to quality’ to continue with higher ranking institutions benefiting most.”

As Savills indicates, the importance of additional aspects and facilities to enhance both study success and lifestyle experience are key, something which Collegiate AC is at the forefront of, through providing a wide range of student accommodation of the very highest standard in some of the UK’s very best university cities.

All properties are thoughtfully-designed and beautifully attired to meet the needs of the discerning modern student. Incorporating features such as on-site gyms, private cinemas, study spaces and luxury lounges, as well as concierge services, 24-hour security and even airport transfers, Collegiate AC properties are luxurious and hugely desirable.

Cuanalo concludes, “We work hard to make sure that our accommodation is perfectly suited to students’ needs to ensure that we get it spot on, every time. This is something that is at the very centre of our ethos to provide ‘Student living. Just better’. We know what students want.”

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

• Hotel-esque services, such as concierge and airport transfers, part of new student accommodation offering
• Hotel industry concierge recruitment up 25% in Q4 2014 (Caterer.com)
• Collegiate AC provide hotel-style lobbies, club lounges and concierge in luxurious UK student properties

The door-to-door service of a private airport transfer and a 24-hour on-demand concierge provision, ready to serve each and any whim, are usually the luxurious extras associated with the world’s very best 5 star hotels. Yet these are the very services, alongside many other additional luxury facilities, which are being offered in today’s new student accommodation.

A far cry from the student properties of old, where dilapidated, cramped conditions often came as standard, this very modern take on student ‘digs’ provides a much-needed evolution to the market, putting first-class living to the absolute fore of design and innovation in this growing sector.

Leading provider of luxury student property, Collegiate AC, whose message is ‘Student living. Just better’, has launched a range of standout university accommodation options around the UK that turn the notion of what constitutes a student property on its head, paving the way for luxurious student living.

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC, explains more,

“Student life can be stressful, pressured, busy and adjusting to a life away from the family home, which for many is also a move overseas, is often not an easy transition. In answer to this, a student property should not only provide a comfortable and safe living environment, today it can also provide a home with a sense of community that is unique and luxurious, with a focus on lifestyle, making student living fun, exciting and a reflection of ambitions. It is through our additional extras that we add a wow to the university experience.”

This new high end student accommodation is being launched in line with a growing demand in the wider world towards greater luxury. Increasing numbers of HNWIs are making the UK their home, with London at the centre of this growth in a moneyed population who demand more from their bricks and mortar.

It is for this reason that the concierge industry is booming, with IBISWorld’s Business Concierge Services market research report predicting that the contribution of the sector to the economy will grow at an average rate of 4.2% annually to 2019. In line with this, concierge recruitment in the hotel industry is also increasing by an impressive extent, with the Caterer.com Quarterly Hospitality Employment Index showing a 25% growth in such recruitment in Q4 2014, compared to the same period the previous year.

The demands of modern urban life are unavoidable: smart phones flash at every turn with an incoming communication, notifications appear from social media activity begging for unerring attention, time is undoubtedly at a premium, and this is especially true for university students. This is where the use of an on-site concierge, a service offered in many of Collegiate AC’s properties, is hugely valuable, ensuring that some of the stress is taken out of student life. From top restaurant bookings to the best places to visit and help to source valuable resources and the hottest tickets in town, this service, usually the domain of the finest hotels, is now the mainstay of the finest student accommodation too.

And a 24-hour concierge service is not the only luxury being offered in today’s new Collegiate AC breed of student property. Hotel-style lobbies are standard, cleaning services are a highly popular option, free high-speed broadband and Wi-Fi are a given, 50 channels are viewable via digital TV, and a Club Lounge, an ultra-luxurious feature, provides the feel of an exclusive private members’ club.

Meeting the expectations of the Millennials, who are at the centre of this modern way of living, such luxurious hotel-style features make it easy to forget that you are in a student property once you step through the door of these hospitality-led living environments.

Fusion Tower in Bristol, for example, offer the services of an onsite, round-the-clock concierge and management team, that can even take delivery of groceries and place them in refrigeration for busy students, as well as the security and electronic access usually found in a top hotel. The luxury Club Lounge is an expertly tailored social space that is second to none, modern and sleek, with a design-led feel.

With Collegiate AC properties also offering the option of airport transfers, perfect for those students arriving from overseas, as well an optional cleaning service, akin to the traditional maid service of a 5 star hotel, individual properties have their very own special luxurious facilities.

Saxon Court Apartments, Reading’s premier student accommodation, boasts a range of high-specification studio apartments, complete with 32″ flat screen TVs, and benefits from 24-hour on-call support. 333 Bath Street in Glasgow, meanwhile, offers luxurious touches such as an exclusive private dining room, enabling students to host their friends in style, and a private gym with the very latest fitness equipment.

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

• Just 43% of students living in private halls feel property provides facilities that allow for effective course engagement (NUS)
• Private sector lacking additional facilities to allow for this – Collegiate AC provides answer with facilities such as common rooms, group study areas and luxury lounges
• Top 5 Revision Tips from Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO, Collegiate AC

With exam season looming ever-nearer on the horizon and students staring down the barrel of end of year assessments, there is one thing laying heavy on students’ minds right now – revision. The age-old approach of staying up into the small hours, surrounded by text books crammed onto a tiny desk, in the solitude of a small run-down bedroom may have been the mainstay of university revision as long as memory serves, but things are changing.

In line with the evolving demands of students, those paying out for an increasingly expensive university education today expect more from their study experience and this is being reflected in their accommodation requirements. The most recent ‘Homes fit for study’ research report released by the National Union of Students (NUS), has shown that increasingly students are looking for their accommodation to provide them with an environment that is a good place to study, as opposed to somewhere simply to lay their head, with around three quarters currently saying their student property offers this.

However, when looking at the figures of those who feel their accommodation offers something extra, those that think it supports them to engage effectively with their course, of utmost importance in the face of upcoming end of year exams, the figures are quite different. Just 43% of those living in private halls, and 54% of students in institution-managed halls, feel their property provides facilities that allow for effective course engagement.

The discrepancy between the two types of accommodation offering could be said to stem from the fact that, traditionally, university halls provide a more communal feel, something that is usually lacking in the private sector, meaning that shared study experiences and group revision sessions are easier when residing in university-owned or campus accommodation.

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC, a leading provider of luxury student accommodation, explains that this notion plays an important role in effective study,

“A comfortable individual environment, where students feel happy, relaxed and safe, alongside additional features such as common rooms, group study areas and luxury lounges combine to create the ideal environment to make the very most of revision periods and to support students through the difficult dissertation process. Yet it is sadly hard to find in the private rented sector, with only 60% of such students feeling their home environment provided this, according to the National Union of Students.

“At Collegiate AC, we have taken a thorough approach to the creation of our student accommodation, with attention to detail at every turn. This includes a recognition of the key role of effective study spaces and additional facilities, such a free high-speed Wi-Fi, that will make the revision process easy and as pain-free as possible.”

As part of their focus on making students’ study time more efficient, Heriberto Cuanalo gives his Top 5 Revision Tips:

    1.Plan to succeed!

Start as you mean to go on and draw up a revision timetable. Be disciplined with yourself and set aside time each day to revise, don’t leave it to the last minute, and start early – research shows that you are more likely to do all the planned work if you start early in the day, because as it gets closer to the evening, there is a greater tendency to be distracted.

    2. Two heads are better than one!

Buddy up with a friend or two from your course and share ideas on a topic. Discuss key points, test topic knowledge by asking each other questions, or even simply sit alongside each other in a comfortable communal area in quiet study to feel less alone. Just don’t get distracted by the TV!

    3. Learn from the past…

Don’t be afraid to look at past papers and check your knowledge against them. You may well find that once you have studied three or four past papers, chances are some of the questions that appear on the day of your exam will look very familiar! This will also allow you to familiarise yourself with the layout of questions asked in exam papers, which can save you time and help to earn marks on the big day.

    4. Work smart!

Try to reduce pages of information into brief, clear notes, then summarise these into a few key points which will help remind you of the whole subject. You can then carry this ‘key points’ sheet with you and revise regularly, even if it’s for short periods of time.

    5. Revise – and reward

Try to find the right balance between study and leisure. Make sure you eat healthily and balanced meals but also ensure you treat yourself after a hard day’s study. Go out with friends after a productive day of revision, play a game of pool or table football in the games room, or simply put your feet up for some chill-out time in the lounge or home cinema if you have one.

Collegiate AC provides some of the very best student accommodation across the UK, with a range of accommodation options available, all beautifully-designed and boasting top class additional facilities to support university study and student life. These include luxury lounges, on-site gyms, private cinemas, games rooms, study rooms and high-speed Wi-Fi, alongside modern bedrooms and sleek kitchens and CCTV, 24-hour on-call support, and electronic entry systems to provide peace of mind.

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

• Student accommodation sector now worth in excess of £20bn (AMA Research)
• Collegiate AC’s Gateway Apartments in Edinburgh win RICS Residential Award 2014
• Gateway Apartments are ‘a stark contrast from the site’s former use’ through juxtaposition of old and new architecture (Susan Stephen Architects)

For the majority of people, the term ‘student housing’ will conjure images of damp, overcrowded buildings in a less than picturesque setting. However, in recent years this infamous vision of student ‘digs’ of old has been gradually abandoned as luxury new build, design-led accommodation has caused the evolution of the student housing market, making choosing a property a lifestyle choice for both current and prospective students.

Modern, innovative buildings with all the latest technologies and trends built in as standard are now an almost irresistible option and as the student accommodation landscape expands and transforms, so too does the university cityscape to allow for this 21^st century experience.

The most recent ‘Higher Education and Student Accommodation Construction Sector Report – UK 2014-2018’ from AMA Research, highlights that the student accommodation sector is now worth in excess of £20bn. With investment in the sector continuing to expand and develop, the report focuses on purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) and the shifting imbalance between supply and demand figures.

New properties are being erected throughout the UK as a reactive solution to this exacerbating problem, however, not only is there increasing demand for readily available accommodation, there is also demand for that accommodation to fit within the emerging student lifestyle that requires a more design-led approach.

Unique external facades of more recent student accommodation are modernising university city landscapes, whilst ensuring that the properties blend cohesively amidst their often traditional locations. This could be seen to be a microcosm of the new student lifestyle, with the contemporary take on university life having not totally abandoned the established conventions of its roots.

A company at the forefront of innovative design for luxury student properties is Collegiate AC. Their newest edition to the Edinburgh skyline, Gateway Apartments, was the winner of the prestigious RICS Scotland Residential Award in 2014, a showcase of the most inspirational regional developments in land, property, construction and the environment throughout the UK.

Gordon Beaton, Design Director for Susan Stephen Architects who led the project, explains the effect of the building’s exterior on the city landscape,

“Many design options were discussed with planning in order to ensure an appropriate yet contemporary design which sits sympathetically within its surroundings.  Natural stone was used on the main facade to complement the tenements with a beige brick however, the courtyard uses white facing brick and lightweight glass staircases to create a bright open space.

“The use of white bricks in a coordinated landscaped setting has created a bright and peaceful sanctuary from the city – a stark contrast from its overdeveloped former use.”

This design choice has made an impression on the city landscape, emphasising the juxtaposition between Edinburgh’s old and new. The disparity between Gateway Apartments and the development that was there initially illustrates the influence that student accommodation is having on university towns and cities across the UK. New build projects designed for students are breathing new life into areas of a city which may have become worn or forgotten, enhancing the complete landscape.

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC explains the need for new purpose built student accommodation and the importance of its design on the city within which it sits,

“The revolutionary designs now being used for new build student properties are not only changing the overall student experience, but also the physical landscape which is housing these additional structures. New build student accommodation alleviates the pressure felt by university towns and cities to manage the ever increasing undergraduate applications, as well as altering the landscape in keeping with the new student population’s demands and expectations.”

Gateway Apartments are set in a peaceful and elegant enclave, within walking distance of all the main colleges and university campuses. These student apartments are well served with a variety of retail outlets creating an almost ‘village’ feel about the area, whilst offering easy access to transport links and central Edinburgh. These high-specification and beautifully designed student apartments are equipped with contemporary high-gloss kitchens, individual en-suite facilities, flat-screen TVs, double beds and ample study and storage space.

As part of the innovative design, amazing on-site facilities include a private gym, common room, in-house cinema, laundry room and spacious study rooms combined with high-speed broadband and Wi-Fi throughout the building. To add to the student experience offered by Gateway Apartments, the building has secure electronic access, CCTV, on-site management and a concierge team with a 24-hour helpline.

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

• 54.2% growth in Chinese students studying in the UK over past 5 years (HESA)
• Increase of 26.5% in Chinese students booking luxury accommodation in past year (Collegiate AC)
• Private members’ club style features of luxury lounges and airport transfers heighten appeal to Chinese students

The UK’s higher education institutions are undoubtedly growing in popularity with international students, registering a growth of 0.6% in the past year, and taking the number of non-UK students studying in our universities to 388,255 for 2013/14, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). However, whilst this growth is noticeable, it is the number of non-EU students, and specifically the Chinese, that are increasing on a dramatic level.

Year-on-year from the 2012/13 academic year to 2013/14, there was a substantial increase of 4.9% in the number of students arriving in the UK to study from outside of the European Union, with China the top non-EU nation producing the greatest numbers of students with a UK university education ambition.

There was a close to 5% growth in the levels of Chinese students studying in the UK in 2013/14 and a breathtaking increase of 54.2% in the past five years. Alongside this there has been an interesting reflection in the student accommodation market.

Leading provider of luxury student accommodation, Collegiate AC, has noticed their own marked increase in interest from Chinese students, as CEO Heriberto Cuanalo explains,

“It is fantastic for the UK higher education system that more and more students from outside the EU are choosing to study here in the UK, proving that we really do offer an enviable university education to be proud of. This has certainly been reflected in the type of students booking with us to live in university accommodation that is of a higher quality and offers additional facilities that traditional ‘student digs’ do not.

“Students from China arriving to study in some of the UK’s top university cities are increasingly demanding more from their accommodation of choice, finding the benefits of having not only break-out study areas a huge draw but also extra on-site facilities such as private gyms and cinemas, allowing for maximising their efficiency and time-management.”

And it seems that the growth in interest from Chinese students in superior accommodation is far outweighing even the growth in their student numbers. Collegiate AC has seen a rise of 26.5% in just one year in the number of such students booking luxurious university accommodation, meaning that Chinese students make up over 50% of bookings for the coming 2015/16 academic year.

With life in a Collegiate AC property almost like living in a private members’ club – with luxurious lounges and even airport transfers arranged by the company, ideal for students arriving from China and other overseas nations – the focus is on providing the best possible university living experience, making not just the UK higher education system one that is enviable, but the entire living experience hugely desirable too, certainly an evolution from the scruffy university accommodation of old.

Located throughout some of the country’s finest university cities, including Birmingham, Leeds, London, Southampton, Liverpool, Exeter and Edinburgh, Collegiate AC residences also include fast broadband and free Wi-Fi, and incorporate key security features such as CCTV, 24-hour on-call support, and electronic entry systems.

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

• Over 100,000 higher education students now live in privately owned halls in the UK (HESA)
• Privately owned purpose built student accommodation can provide a premium living experience (Knight Frank)
• Students are striving to get more of a university lifestyle from their residences (Collegiate AC)

As the majority of UK universities struggle to house all first year students through their traditional halls of residence, demand for alternative accommodation has expanded dramatically.

Research from the Higher Education Statistics Agency reveals that the number of students now living in privately owned halls has more than doubled in recent years. Between 2007 and 2014 the figure increased from 46,000 to 102,000, with those in the industry forecasting that this trend is set to continue.

This rise in privately owned student accommodation, which it based upon the shared halls experience, can be inextricably linked with the preferences of today’s students. Further investigation, led by Knight Frank, into the desires of students highlights that they are now active consumers and can recognise the added value that purpose built student accommodation can bring to university life. Offering high quality residences, rent costs inclusive of bills, enhanced internet access and a secure environment, Knight Frank acknowledge that privately owned purpose built student halls can provide a premium living experience.

One company listening to students’ accommodation ideals is Collegiate AC, who provide a variety of luxurious properties across Great Britain that offer a wide range of additional facilities to support not only study but also all aspects of student life.

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC explains this move towards privately owned halls and how his company are dedicated to the needs of students,

“There has definitely been a significant change within the student accommodation landscape, with privately owned halls becoming one of the more sought after options available. With students now striving to get more of a lifestyle from their accommodation, communal areas and extra facilities are increasingly important.

“At Collegiate AC we aspire to not only provide students with well maintained, quality accommodation but also with a university experience that meets their needs and expectations. Our combination of comfortable and contemporary apartments and a secure and relaxing environment is what makes us a top choice amongst university students.”

Indeed recent Collegiate AC analysis shows that two-thirds of their current occupancy for the 2015/16 academic year are second and third year students, a 40% increase on 2014/15, highlighting that the demand for privately owned hall style accommodation is not just from first year students, but is also growing within the entire student populace.

Collegiate AC accommodation is comprised of modern living and learning spaces, alongside communal facilities that can include on-site gyms, private cinemas and reading rooms. Located throughout some of Great Britain’s finest university cities including Birmingham, Leeds, London, Southampton, Liverpool, Exeter and Edinburgh, Collegiate AC residences include fast broadband and innovative work spaces, as well as incorporating additional safety features such as CCTV, 24-hour on-call support, and electronic entry systems.

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