Student flats shortage drives Dundee demand as housing pressures grow in St Andrews
“Students are beginning their accommodation search much earlier than they did even a few years ago” – Tim Goddard, Gylemuir Capital
Dundee is increasingly helping to meet the accommodation needs of students studying in St Andrews as housing pressures in the Fife coastal town grow, according to property experts.
Tim Goddard, director of Gylemuir Capital, the developer behind Parklands Dundee - one of the city’s newest purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) developments - said student property had become one of the biggest housing challenges facing university towns and cities across the UK.
“Demand for higher education remains incredibly strong, but the supply of modern, purpose-built accommodation hasn’t always kept pace,” he said. “Dundee has become one of Scotland’s most successful student cities. It has excellent universities, a vibrant student community and excellent transport connections to St Andrews, making it an increasingly attractive option for students looking for high-quality accommodation.
“Purpose-built student accommodation provides students with professionally managed homes designed around modern student life, while also helping to reduce pressure on the wider private rented sector. It’s an important part of creating sustainable university communities.”
Research by property consultancy Savills estimates that the UK’s 20 largest university cities require an additional 234,000 PBSA beds to better balance student numbers with existing accommodation. The boom in new PBSA projects comes despite wider concerns over the fallout from an ongoing university and college funding crisis, the impact on future jobs from AI, and local worries about a lack of general housing.
The University of St Andrews continues to attract more than 11,000 students from around the world. Alongside strong demand for places at the historic Fife university, sustained pressure on the local housing market has encouraged many students to widen their accommodation search to Dundee.
Parklands in Dundee city centre provides 163 bedrooms, including en-suite cluster apartments and self-contained studios. Residents have access to dedicated study areas, a fully equipped gym, rooftop terrace, a “sky lounge”, communal social spaces, high-speed wi-fi and all-inclusive content insurance and utility bills.
Goddard added: “Students today are looking for much more than just a room. They want certainty. They want to know exactly what they’ll be paying each month without worrying about unexpected energy bills or rising household costs.
“In the current cost-of-living environment, that certainty has become incredibly valuable for both students and their families.
“Students are beginning their accommodation search much earlier than they did even a few years ago. Starting early gives them the widest possible choice and helps ensure they find accommodation that suits both their lifestyle and their budget.”
Scottish government research has recognised purpose-built student accommodation as an important part of Scotland’s housing mix, helping support students while reducing pressure on the wider private rented sector.
A report last year hailed student flats as a “shining light” in Scotland’s commercial property market. PBSA schemes, which have been springing up across Scottish university towns and cities, were highlighted in the investor research on the living sector, undertaken by property advisory firm Lismore Real Estate Advisors.
The resilience in the student accommodation market comes amid a backdrop of funding concerns across the higher education sector.
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