Conference Programme

Wednesday 6th May

5pm – Welcome Networking Drinks in Battersea for those in London the day before the main conference agenda.

7.30pm – Speaker, Sponsors & VIP Dinner in Battersea, London (by invitation only)

Thursday 7th May

8.30am – Breakfast, Networking and Registration at the Oval Cricket Ground, London

9.30am – Start of the main conference programme

1.00pm – Networking Lunch Session for speakers & attendees

2.00pm – Conference programme continues

4.20pm – Conference programme close

4.30pm – Student Housing Networking Drinks Reception on pitch side terraces at the Oval.

7pm – Event closes at the Oval to allow delegates to organise their own dinner plans & fringe events

Conference Agenda

9.30am
Chairman’s Welcome & Introduction – where are we with Student Housing Property Investment?

Student Housing in the UK & Europe – where has the market got to?
Where does Student Housing fit with the wider spectrum of rented residential and other property asset classes and how is it performing?
What are the key deals in the last 12 months across the UK & Europe?
Where is the money coming from?
How has the sector been affected by fluctuating interest rates?
Where is the future growth coming from when looking across Europe?

The UK Student Housing Market in 2026 – where are the key opportunity areas over the next 5 years and how is the market evolving?
What were the key transactions in the UK Market over the past 12 months and what do these tell us about where the market is heading?
What is happening with UK Rents, Values, & Opportunity areas?
Which UK Cities now represent real value and why is there so much demand for UK stock in the current market?
Which universities are going to see the highest demand and which towns and cities will require more supply?
HMOs & the private rented sector – how do they prop up PBSA and how is this changing?

Panel Session – the Future of UK Student Housing Investment & Operation
Where do operators and investors see the market evolving?
With planning challenges, rising build costs, and an increasing cost of borrowing, are there now concerns about the viability of UK Development?
How is planning affecting the UK Student Housing market?
How important is ESG and sustainability with each portfolio and how can we repurpose existing stock to meet modern environmental targets?
What kind of stock will the UK market demand in coming years in terms of build, design and amenities?
Where are the key opportunity areas moving forward, looking both at location and also at the product?
Where are the opportunities in PBSA to partner with Universities?
How does price match up with the expectations of students with regards to the product and facilities?
How are utilities and other rising costs dragging returns?

11.00am
Coffee & Networking Session

11.30am
Understanding what is happening with Student application numbers in the UK and what it means
What is the changing demographic of international students and what does this mean for accommodation markets?
What have we learned and how are things likely to evolve over the next decade?
What will affordability mean for future student numbers?

Student Housing Industry Insights – What are students really looking for and where is the affordability?
How do we see this evolving?

How can existing student stock be repurposed, modernised or rebuilt?
With embodied carbon restricting demolition options, how can old stock be transformed to fit current & emerging market needs?
What is the future for new versus repurposed stock?

Operations, Management and Technology
What is likely impact of Rental Reform on the market and how are operators preparing?
What kind of stock will the UK market demand in coming years in terms of build, design and amenities?
How far are operators looking towards a ‘blended living’ or ‘flex living’ product?
Where are the key opportunity areas moving forward, looking both at location and also at the product?
Amenities & Operation – what are the key differences and similarities across Europe?
How can we make existing processes more efficient using technology and AI?
How is the Student Housing sector embracing innovation?
What kind of technology and systems are available?

1.15pm
Networking Lunch Session for Speakers & Attendees

2.15pm
How do Investors see the Student Housing Property Market
Opening Questions to each panellist:
Where are you looking to invest now?
Which cities and countries you see as the best opportunities?
Where you see student in relation to other property sectors and other resi living sectors?
What are their aspirations in terms of size of portfolios & where do they see the opportunities Geographically?
Where are investors looking for growth with rents plateauing?
Where do investors stand on operational platforms?
How do Investors view the Student Housing Market in the long-term sense and where do they see the growth?

University Panel
How can we deliver modern, fit for purpose facilities, that prioritise Student Wellbeing and ESG as a whole?
What do constraints on University budgets mean for delivery of residential estate?
International Students – how important are they to the business model?
How has the operation of Student Accommodation evolved and how is the sector approaching inflation and the increasing costs of living?
What kind of measures can we put in place to improve the Student Experience and take the best care of their wellbeing, both in the short and longer term?
How can technology and innovation help with this and what kind of ideas are we seeing?
What kind of Partnership Opportunities will be prevalent between Universities and Private Sector Operators & Investors to deliver both a best in class product and service?
How is planning now perceived and how should this be approached?

Design, Delivery & Operation in Mainland Europe
5 market leaders offer 5 perspectives on the future of the European Market.
Each will present their ideas, followed by a panel discussion

Panel Themes
Why is Europe continuing to grow in popularity and where are the opportunities?
Where in particular is proving attractive for Investors and how much of a priority is ESG in Europe?
How do Continental Markets view the link between Student Housing and Build to Rent/Co-Living?
How mature is the market and what are reasonable growth projections?
What has been happening with market activity across Europe?
What the investors are doing and where are they putting their money?
Where are we with mature and emerging markets?

A Market Update & investment prospects in the Northern Europe, Eastern Europe & Benelux Countries
A Market Update & investment prospects in Italy & Spain
A Market Update & investment prospects in Germany
Understanding the Opportunity in France

4.15pm
Close of conference followed by The 2026 Student Housing Industry Drinks Reception for Speakers and Attendees