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The Manchester Student Housing Crisis Statistics

Manchester is one of the UK’s fastest growing student cities, with 123,950 students enrolling during the 2022/2023 academic year. Securing affordable and suitable accommodation is becoming difficult. 

While Manchester’s student population is increasing, there is a lack of student accommodation to house them.

Journalists, student platforms, and university teams are welcome to reference the figures in this article, with a link back to Square Gardens as the source.

Why is Manchester facing a student housing shortage?

Manchester’s respected universities and diverse culture make the city attractive to students. Accommodation supply has failed to meet the student increase and demand, leading to a lack of sufficient numbers and unsuitable housing. 

Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) aims to combat the issue; however, it has struggled to provide the necessary coverage, increasing pressure on students and the rental market.

Student bedroom at square gardens showing the Manchester student beds shortage
  • Since 2018, only 4,745 new purpose-built student beds have been built in Manchester.

  • During this period, demand grew by 8,100.

(Source: Place North West)

How many students are studying in Manchester?

Leading institutions like the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University attract tens of thousands of students each academic year. Outside of London, Manchester has one of the largest student populations in the UK. 

According to The Complete University Guide, Manchester’s student population is over 100,000, with 27,000 international students. 

How big is the student housing gap?

Manchester ranks as one of the worst cities in the UK for student accommodation shortages, which increases stress and negatively impacts students’ experience and the rental economy.

  • 23,186-bed shortages in Manchester student accommodation.

(Source: Amber Student)

  • 12,179 monthly Google searches for student rooms–twice as many as in Glasgow.

(Source: The Tab)

As a result, Manchester has one of the largest PBSA gaps across the UK. Alongside rising rent costs and increased competition, Manchester is becoming a less attractive proposal to students and international students.

What impact does this have on rent prices and living conditions?

The student accommodation crisis affects the entire city. Many students are forced into lower-quality private housing or positioned at an inconvenient distance from campus.

As students seek private housing, it becomes difficult for locals and young professionals to find appropriate accommodation.

  • Manchester now ranks among the highest average student rent levels in the UK. 

(Source: Deloitte Crane Survey)

  • The shortage then forces thousands into unsuitable or expensive private housing.

(Source: Place North West)

Where are students living instead–and is it sustainable?

Limited PBSA means students are turning to private rental options which can cost considerable amounts, and increase stress levels and financial strain.

However, some students are choosing luxury co-living developments as an alternative. Square Gardens and The Fernley are raising the standards for student living, offering hotel-like amenities, flexible leases, and true value in the centre of Manchester.

Such alternatives are far more attractive to low-quality private spaces without necessary amenities.

What is being done to address the shortage?

Manchester City Council recognised the growing demand for new PBSA developments, and the city has been identified as a high-priority city to address the ongoing student accommodation crisis.

But one question remains: will these efforts meet the pressing demands?

  • 5,440 to 11,320 beds are required by 2030 to keep up with the projected student population.

(Source: City Council)

  • Student accommodation investment labels Manchester as a priority city.

(Source: Place North West)

Why this matters to students and property stakeholders

Manchester’s student housing crisis impacts well-being and academic performance. What was once a thriving city welcoming students with open arms is now a city where students could be apprehensive about selecting for studies. Stakeholders, however, face a significant challenge and opportunity.

Statistics suggest that an increase in affordable and suitable student accommodation will meet the growing demand–or the implications could be considerable.

Affordability and quality accommodation must be provided to counter the ongoing issues. This is where co-living developments like Square Gardens offer a luxury alternative for students and young professionals.

Learn more about how Square Gardens is helping the Manchester student housing crisis, and view available rooms today to discover the accommodation you deserve.