# Bullish outlook for PBSA sector in 2017 as investment builds and interest heads north of the border Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2017-01-04 Category: INVESTING Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/investing Meta Title: UK Student Accommodation Investment Soars in 2016 Meta Description: Discover the opportunity to invest in the booming PBSA market in Edinburgh with the modern Braefoot House, offering studio apartments starting at £107,800. URL: https://financedigest.com/bullish-outlook-for-pbsa-sector-in-2017-as-investment-builds-and-interest-heads-north-of-the-borderhtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/image-1736844302029-compressed.jpg) - **2016 set to become second highest year on record for investment in UK student accommodation sector (Cushman & Wakefield)** - **National student-to-bed ratio rises to 2.3 students per bed space (Cushman & Wakefield)** - **‘Extremely [positive outlook](https://www.financedigest.com/sales-forecasts-of-automotive-parts-remanufacturing-market-reveal-positive-outlook-through-2026.html "Sales Forecasts of Automotive Parts Remanufacturing Market Reveal Positive Outlook Through 2026") for PBSA in the New Year with Edinburgh emerging as desirable location for investment’ (Aspen Woolf)** 2016 is set to become the second [highest year on record](https://www.financedigest.com/uk-inflation-hits-40-year-record-highest-in-g7.html "UK inflation hits 40-year record, highest in G7") for investment in the UK purpose built student accommodation sector (PBSA), according to the latest just released research by Cushman & Wakefield, with the total expected to reach £3.1bn. The Cushman & Wakefield [report shows that demand](https://www.financedigest.com/bone-grafts-and-substitutes-market-overview-highlighting-major-drivers-growth-and-demand-report-2018-2026.html "Bone Grafts and Substitutes Market Overview Highlighting Major Drivers, Growth and Demand Report 2018 – 2026") for [student](https://www.financedigest.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-student-loan-forgiveness-programs.html) accommodation remains strong with more students in the system than ever before, as 1.7m are now studying full-time, an increase of 0.4% from the previous year. And despite intensive development in some areas, the ratio of students seeking a purpose-built bed has also increased. The [latest figures that the national student-to-bed ratio has now risen from an average](https://www.financedigest.com/sports-nutrition-market-share-revenue-and-average-worth-by-makers-shared-in-an-exceedingly-latest-analysis-report.html "Sports Nutrition Market SHARE, REVENUE, AND AVERAGE WORTH BY MAKERS SHARED IN AN EXCEEDINGLY LATEST ANALYSIS REPORT") of 2.1 to 2.3 students per bed space, and as competition builds it would seem rents in the sector have also risen, by an average of 2.7% in comparison to 2015. The report also highlights that the geographical focus of investment throughout 2016 has been in the regions, with the proportion of transactions in [London falling](https://www.financedigest.com/london-stocks-fall-1-on-weak-global-growth-outlook.html "London stocks fall 1% on weak global growth outlook") by approximately two thirds. This shift away from England’s capital city has made way for another of the UK’s capitals. Edinburgh is the UK’s most educated city with a significant amount of [students](https://www.financedigest.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-student-loan-forgiveness-programs.html) [staying to work](https://www.financedigest.com/remote-and-hybrid-work-are-here-to-stay-as-cyberattacks-escalate.html "Remote and Hybrid Work are Here to Stay as Cyberattacks Escalate") in the city after qualifying. Around 55% of the Edinburgh workforce hold a university degree or equivalent. And with 4 universities and over 58,000 students living and working in the city, [demand for accommodation that meets student rising requirements continues to outstrip supply](https://www.financedigest.com/all-terrain-vehicle-market-demand-supply-growth-factors-latest-rising-trend-and-forecast-to-2027.html "All-Terrain Vehicle Market Demand, Supply, Growth Factors, Latest Rising Trend and Forecast to 2027"). **Oliver Ramsden Director** of [**Aspen Woolf**](http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001di09LzeJQSnu9J7_9opw19zK8YoI7n0RszsIVNBYJtmZy70gf0e3Vfl_gNuX6jits2bfQeAoArh4gtrs3wvaqhO7R82Xo_TiR4F_PQpzPVbjFZHVdN-ul4MQGjp5d2Ys4m7GngtKpNeOJiCqzh0fvJW4elnwiypEk1A8mg504xBaqLogNtfdlQ==&c=FYpPnHuRfB8k97eZGc1JDBG-jF2vw_bb0LdxGP_i1RyzAr4ysNaUwQ==&ch=MMHnKXqhtZNEffO2CCZXapyy6JWXGl5lIt6w0lCQL55-64GFpgHjAw==), leaders in providing wealth building opportunities for investors of all levels through property, is confident in the future of Edinburgh’s PBSA market and all it can offer both regional and foreign investors. He explains, The most recent statistics present an extremely positive outlook for PBSA in the New Year and with that Edinburgh is quickly [emerging as the desirable location for investment](https://www.financedigest.com/rouzbeh-pirouz-on-investing-in-commercial-property-as-the-uk-emerges-from-the-pandemic.html "Rouzbeh Pirouz on Investing in commercial property as the UK emerges from the pandemic") in the sector. The QS World University Rankings 2016/17 have placed the University of Edinburgh 19th in the world, ensuring that [student](https://www.financedigest.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-student-loan-forgiveness-programs.html) numbers will continue to [grow heightening the need for quality](https://www.financedigest.com/agricultural-adjuvant-market-will-grow-at-6-2-through-2032-amid-surging-demand-for-high-quality-cereal-crops-fmi.html "Agricultural Adjuvant Market Will Grow at 6.2% through 2032 amid Surging Demand for High Quality Cereal Crops: FMI") student accommodation. **![aspens woolfs](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/1-1736844301942-compressed.jpg)** **Aspen Woolf’s** newest [offering to the PBSA market](https://www.financedigest.com/cycling-power-meter-market-to-offer-lucrative-growth-opportunities-for-players-during-the-forecast-period-2018-2026.html "Cycling Power Meter Market to Offer Lucrative Growth Opportunities for Players During the Forecast Period 2018 – 2026") in Edinburgh is the beautifully constructed, incredibly modern structure that is **Braefoot House**. Studio apartments start at just £107,800, giving [investors an assured](https://www.financedigest.com/apollo-assures-investors-deposit-flight-wont-spill-over-to-athene.html "Apollo assures investors deposit flight won’t spill over to Athene") 2-year net rental of 7.5%. And investing in the Scottish capital will also provide the now [rare opportunity to buy](https://www.financedigest.com/indias-reliance-makes-rare-buy-of-russian-naphtha-ups-fuel-oil-imports.html "India’s Reliance makes rare buy of Russian naphtha, ups fuel oil imports") freehold. **Oliver** continues, Investing in property in Scotland [offers the additional advantage](https://www.financedigest.com/rocket-missile-market-advantages-offered-by-rockets-missiles-and-increasing-adoption-of-missiles-to-drive-market.html "Rocket & Missile Market – Advantages Offered By Rockets & Missiles And Increasing Adoption Of Missiles to Drive Market") of freehold ownership, as opposed to leasehold opportunities south of the border, providing longevity and a sense of security. This is a huge benefit for investors, as it makes it considerably easier to sell a property onwards.” [**Braefoot House**](http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001di09LzeJQSnu9J7_9opw19zK8YoI7n0RszsIVNBYJtmZy70gf0e3Vfl_gNuX6jitxQ8PxfzTmiudATYo9B8EuF-z-d_r88f291XTLZu9uqDmMgXf4PEEiUhiFGjm13tDL-laTVLKfMuIZo9tZGJWUla18C1qaF9SU2xODcvIKeBej90LK0plVhwqOPd5Ftxy1MD0-0-GYy77bpzs240ZEKdNQcGuiiBkE99XxjlAE1c=&c=FYpPnHuRfB8k97eZGc1JDBG-jF2vw_bb0LdxGP_i1RyzAr4ysNaUwQ==&ch=MMHnKXqhtZNEffO2CCZXapyy6JWXGl5lIt6w0lCQL55-64GFpgHjAw==) will comprise of two phases totalling 172 executive student studio apartments, set in one of the most affluent suburbs of Edinburgh and less than 0.5 miles from Kings Campus Edinburgh University. The campus is served by a free university shuttle bus service that takes students into the city centre at regular intervals, and also gives students a hefty discount for City Car Club car use. Residents of Braefoot House will have access to a communal lounge, private cinema room, games room, [Apple computer](https://www.financedigest.com/apple-may-add-touch-screens-to-mac-computers-bloomberg-news.html "Apple may add touch screens to Mac computers – Bloomberg News") rooms on each level, a laundry and a manned reception. As well as beautiful landscaped gardens surrounding the property and cycle storage. ![apartments](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/2-1736844301957-compressed.jpg) Apartments are built to the highest standards with glass curtain walling to upper floors and rear elevations. All remaining apartments have brilliant floor-to-ceiling windows providing plenty of natural bright light to the modern living environments. Each unit includes a microwave combi oven, a fridge/freezer and a ceramic hob. And with the free furniture pack offer, apartments will also benefit from a double bed, wardrobe, desk and swivel office chair, two seater table with two additional chairs, a mirror, waste paper bin and coat pegs. --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---