While student accommodation is an established niche property sector in the United Kingdom, there are growing opportunities for investment in student housing in continental Europe.

“The student housing market, already an established alternative asset in the United Kingdom, is also becoming a niche sector for European investors,” says Marcus Roberts, head of Savills student investment. “With some uncertainty surrounding the fundamentals of traditional commercial property sectors, investors are looking for alternatives in Europe. With a sustained demand and student registrations consistently rising year-on-year, student accommodation could be seen as such an alternative.”

In Spain, Savills points to a growing supply/demand imbala