Unite Students provides 'home for success'
British universities attracted more than 95,000 Chinese students last year, increasing the demand for secure, well-managed living spaces for students. Unite Students, Britain's largest developer and operator of student accommodation, works with higher education providers to provide a home for students from all over the world who are studying in Britain.
British universities attracted more than 95,000 Chinese students last year, increasing the demand for secure, well-managed living spaces for students. Unite Students, Britain's largest developer and operator of student accommodation, works with higher education providers to provide a home for students from all over the world who are studying in Britain.
"We provide a home that supports students' success and helps them achieve more from their time at university, whether that is academic success, personal growth or employability," says Mark Allan, CEO of Unite Students. "Location is the most critical. All our properties are close to university campuses and local amenities and we provide a straightforward and hassle-free service."
A melting pot of diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences, Unite Students is home to 41,000 students in over 120 properties across 23 of Britain's strongest university towns and cities. Among its top buildings are Moonraker Point situated near King's College London, Grand Central in Liverpool, The Plaza in Leeds, The Forge in Sheffield and Parkway Gate in Manchester.
Unite Students' facilities are designed to provide a home where students can enjoy studying and socialising. Unlike traditional rental houses that solely provide living spaces, Unite Students offers complementary services that make students' stays more organised and convenient. A single payment scheme includes rent and all other utility bills, access to high-speed wireless internet, on-site maintenance and cleaning teams. It includes customer service and support for students 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Unite Students offers various accommodation options through its online booking system that allows students to browse, see photos, compare prices and locations, and book a room. Studio apartments are available with private living and kitchen areas, and shared flats with study bedrooms, a private bathroom and a communal kitchen. It also supplies flexible tenancy lengths, 24-hour security and pre-arrival support services.
Unite Students provides a home to students from all over the world and welcomes foreign students, particularly from China and Asia. "Almost half of our Chinese customers choose to live with us because of recommendations from former students or customers," Allan says. "We have the strongest brand in UK student accommodation. We offer high-quality service at very competitive rates."
Listed on the London Stock Exchange, the group also manages and invests in several investment funds and asset management vehicles. Its co-investment vehicle with GIC Real Estate, the Singapore government's investment arm, has yielded two joint ventures, namely, Unite Capital Cities and London Student Accommodation Joint Venture. The ventures were established to develop properties across London and Edinburgh.
Unite Students is also the manager and a member of the largest specialist student accommodation investment fund. A top-performing real estate fund focused on acquiring and operating high-quality student accommodation in Britain, the Unite Student Accommodation Fund (USAF) holds 63 properties across 20 cities in Britain and is valued at GBP1.2 billion (HK$15.7 billion). With a 20.7 per cent stake in USAF, Unite Students is the largest investor and acts as manager and operator of the properties within the fund. It invites institutional investors to consider USAF as a viable investment.
"USAF is an institutional fund so it pays high dividends," Allan says. "It's a very risk-averse fund. It does not do development so it has a low level of borrowings. It's an institutional grade investment."
Focused on delivering the best accommodation experience to students while providing attractive returns for investors, Unite Students ensures it retains its edge in Britain's student housing industry. "We will not rest on our laurels, but we'll continue to use our most-trusted brand to grow our portfolio and focus on the strongest university locations to remain the market leader in the sector," Allan says.
www.unite-group.co.uk
