With the latest figures released from UCAS revealing a 2.5% increase in applicants for university places for the 2011/12 academic year, the last before the tuition fee cap increase, concerns over the pressure sure to be placed on already stretched student housing stock in Liverpool, home to some of the top universities in the country, is mounting.

Liverpool is one of the most established centres in the UK for higher education, with leading institutions including The University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool Hope University and The Liverpool University of Performing Arts.

The combined student population currently stands at 53,000, almost 12% of the city’s total population, with students from over 100 countries in the world enrolled.

Demand from this student population for housing is steadily rising with the Knight Frank Student Report 2010 revealing that Liverpool has seen the highest growth in terms of higher education student accommodation along with Leeds and Bristol, 13% increase in rental growth between the 2008/9 and 2009/10 academic years.

But as Steven Worboys, MD of student accommodation investment experts Experience International, comments, there is a supply shortage, 

“Across the country as a whole there is a significant shortage of high-quality student accommodation and Liverpool is no different. The surge in applicants for the 2011/12 academic year, especially from overseas students (7.9% increase in EU applicants and 5% for non-EU residents) who expect a high standard of accommodation is driving forward the student buy-to-let market, presenting investment opportunities which are low risk, hassle free and high yielding.”

In response to this demand a number of strategically located buildings located near the city centre are being refurbished into high specification, modern student housing units. One such project is Bold Street, the fourth residential development from Liverpool’s leading student management company with over 10 years’ experience.

Located in the heart of the City, only a few minutes walk to Liverpool John Moores and Liverpool Community College campuses and less than 400m from Liverpool Lime Street station, Bold Street will comprise high specification fully modernised student pods with state of the art facilities including a fully equipped gymnasium.

All pods include a flat screen TV, wash basins as standard and internet connection. In addition there will be a media and computer room with printing facilities and a key fob security entry system. Communal areas will include lounges with 52” flat screen TVs, fully fitted kitchens with appliances and dining areas and modern bathrooms and shower.

Ready for the start of the 2011/12 academic year, Bold Street offers 9.53% net annual yield with the management company guaranteeing the income in year 1. With a purchase price of just £43,500 this student development is proving highly popular and is selling fast.

For more information about investing in student accommodation or indeed purchasing a unit at Bold Street contact the experts at Experience International on +44 (0) 207 321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.com.