SUMMARY OF REPORT CONTENTS

The report specifically reviews the higher education sector, focusing on the structure of the university system, the impact of rising student numbers, new building  plans and the growth of the student accommodation sector.

The report also provides an overview of different sources of university capital funding and current capital building programmes taking place in UK universities. The current state of the university estate and infrastructure backlog is also assessed, together with an overview of leading construction contractors operating in the higher education sector.

In addition, the report also provides a detailed analysis of activity within the growing student accommodation market, including current supply of accommodation in university halls, commercial and private accommodation, factors affecting the market and future trends. The number of bed spaces under construction has risen strongly since 2002, rising towards current volumes of around 25,000 with good growth prospects over the next few years.

Over the past 10 years, growth in student numbers has been steady and the UK now has over 1.4 million students in full-time higher education, with numbers increasing year on year. Across the UK, enrolments in higher education institutions have increased by around 22% in the period from 1998 to 2007. Going forward, continued growth in full-time student numbers to the end of the decade is envisaged, with total student numbers expected to rise to over 1.5 million by 2009. 

The expansion in the number of students in higher education has led to increased pressure on university infrastructure and there is a considerable need to address past under-investment and provide additional and appropriate spaces for teaching, research and student accommodation.  Universities have also had to invest in developing student residences to cope with the growing numbers in communal accommodation. and the quality of the campus accommodation is an important deciding factor for students.

For English universities state funding for the period 2007-08 rose to £7.1 billion, an overall cash increase of 6.4% over the previous year.  Funding allocations beyond 2008 have been set in the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review and provide for a further increase of £150m per year from 2010-11 for HEFCE funding.

In 2007, contractors output from new higher education sector construction work reached £1.1 billion and accounts for around 2% of all new work obtained by contractors in the UK.

AMA Research’s “Higher Education and Student Accommodation Market UK 2008-2012” report is available in hard copy or electronic format for £625 and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 0871 3103450.