The short term impact of Covid in the international student market, with a forecast on the longer-term trends and opportunities for student landlords, agents and PBSA. Also includes a presentation from Housing Hand on how their service assists International Students.

1. AFS Webinar
International
students
December 2021

2. Introduction
Quick overview of current position
Broad trends in international student sector
Forecast and prediction for future
Key factors for international students in accommodation
Targeting in tough cities
Session from our partners at Housing Hand

3. Connect with us
Please feel free to connect with us
on LinkedIn. Just scan the QR code
using your phone.
Get the latest updates on our LinkedIn page
Use the QR code to open our LinkedIn page
Keep in touch with the latest news here:
accommodationforstudents.com/
student-landlord-guides
The webinar will start in a few minutes, we are
just waiting for delegates to join.
afs | international students

4. 2021
Strong domestic demand
34% increase in webtraffic
125% growth in enquiries
Of the ½ million students going to University this year
Continued growth in the numbers of students wanting to go to University
The strong domestic audience is positive for private landlords
UK students are the core audience for shared housing
447,000 are UK students (86%)
60,000 from overseas
afs | international students

5. afs | international students
International students
20% of all students
14.9% of all undergrads
37% of all postgrads
Global survey of international students
30% preferred UK
25% USA
16% Australia 15% Canada

6. International students
afs | international students
496,000 international students
£23 Billion to the economy
70k in London (first years)
Spread around the UK
Sheffield and Nottingham key cities
Target to increase to 600,000 by 2030
Very competitive marketplace
PBSA focus for recruitment
Landlords and agents sometimes secondary

7. Currenttrends
Enrolment figs for 2021 not available till 2022 (HESA)
44% decline in studentvisa applications to Sept 2020
However accommodation suffered more than enrolments
Over 130,000 visas issued in September alone
afs | international students
Includes small number of EU Students for the first time
Online learning
143% increase in visas to September2021

8. Key trends
UK is well placed at present
‘Stability’ not likely to return to 2023
Other markets will recover and challenge this
Focus on targets and outcomes
USA Canada EU Target
Recruiting more students
Employment outcomes
Lower tariff Universities
afs | international students

9. China and India
These are the two key markets
Enrolment figs for 2021 not available till 2022 (HESA)
Growth is slowing from China
100% growth Indian students
afs | international students
Fewer young people
Slowing economic growth
Increasing quality of home unis
Unlikely to reach the levels of China

10. Short term trends
A number of Universities let international students study remotely
Practical recognition of the issues
Creates a short term opportunity
Questions
However, the expectation is that they will return in January
Exams
How many took up their place in 2020 and 2021?
Who will travel to the UK in January?
afs | international students

11. Future trends
Some aspects of the current arrangements have proven popular
E.g. access to recorded lectures
Some universities are considering new teaching styles
Taught masters growth will continue
Global battle for students
Opens up the possibility of more frequent intakes

12. Grade inflation and the flight to quality
16 Universities have increased student numbers by over 5,000 in the last 5 years
Over 50% growth for the top 5
32 Institutions increased by over 1,000
There will be further upward pressure on top performing Universities
13% decline for worst performing Universities
2/3rds lower ranked new Universities
Postgraduate, international recruitment
afs | international students

13. 2020 Example
Institution Increase/Decrease
Leeds Trinity University
74% Up
Buckinghamshire New University
59% Up
University College London
50% Up
St Andrews
35% Up
London School of Economics
32% Up
University of Bedfordshire
43% Down
Heriot Watt
24% Down
Coventry
23% Down
University of Surrey
20% Down

14. What do international students
want from their accommodation
afs | international students
90% rent their
accommodation
(compared to 70%
of UK students)
42% are looking for
accommodation
they can live in for
more than 1 year
International
students more
likely to be happy
with studio style
accommodation
than UK students

15. Most important factors
afs | international students
price
01.
distance to uni
02.
all bills
included
03.
distance to
amenities
04.
well maintained
& managed
08.
security &
safety
05.
student friendly
location
06.
who I am
sharing with
07.

16. Broadly the same rules apply
International students are slightly more likely
to consider Price to be most important factor
More likely to consider safety and
security as the most important factor
70% (compared to 66% of UK Students)
7% compared to 4% of UK Students
Safety when booking is a key factor
afs | international students

17. International students likely to
become increasingly important
In a tough city,where the institution has started to struggle with recruitment
As the numbers continue to increase over time
Among Landlords and agents looking for stable, sustainable rentals.
Particularly taught masters students
afs | international students

18. Thank you!