Queen’s University Belfast, an institution in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland aims to allocate up to £100 million in the next four years. This investment is a key component of their strategy to address an unprecedented surge in demand for accommodations from international students in Belfast. The decision follows a recent nationwide report by StuRents, the leading platform for student accommodation search, property management and data, which highlighted an anticipated shortfall of approximately 4,50,000 student beds in the UK by 2025, according to an official release.
Currently hosting around 45,000 full-time students engaged in tertiary education, Belfast is projected to require an additional 3,000 rooms within the next five years, solely for Queen’s University students. This surge in demand reflects a growing preference among students for high-quality accommodation. According to UK Government data from 2022, there were 55,465 Indian students in the UK on student visas and in June 2023, the Home Office announced the issuance of 142,848 student visas to Indian nationals, the release mentioned.
“We have been aware of and planning for a major increase in demand for student accommodation in recent years and through this significant investment, we are ensuring we are prepared to respond effectively. There is a specific focus on the need for high quality, affordable and safe housing options, in close proximity to Queen’s,” Caroline Young, vice president, students and corporate services, Queen’s, said.
As part of its Strategy 2030, Queen’s University Belfast has secured three new sites at Dublin Road, Laganbank and Brunswick Street in Belfast to facilitate its accommodation expansion plan. These sites, designed to attain full Passivhaus certification, will contribute to sustainable accommodation options, providing additional spaces for Queen’s students, staff, and their families. In addition to the substantial investment of up to £100 million, this initiative is expected to generate up to 225 jobs and bring about a transformative impact on the city center, as per the release.