iQ Student Accommodation Weston Halls & the Pendulum Hotel

Demand, need and supply

full time students across the city

²between 2017/18 and 2022/23

18%

growth between 2017/18 and 2022/23

Manchester has one of the largest student populations in the UK. Growth from both the domestic and international student population has been significant reaching over 18% growth in recent years².

The city was home to over 85,000 full-time students across the city in 2022/23, with the University of Manchester being the largest institution in terms of full-time student numbers.

A continued new supply of well-located, purpose-built student accommodation is needed to support the future growth of the city’s institutions, maintain Manchester as both a local and global choice for prospective students, address the shortfall in student bedspaces, all whilst protecting the housing stock for local residents and families.

Students working in an iQ space
Inside of an iQ building
Shared kitchen space in an iQ building
A single room in an iQ building
Student icons

There are over twice as many full-time students in Manchester as there are purpose-built beds.

2x

Supply of student accommodation in the city 

Despite increases in supply over recent years, Manchester City Council still recognises that there is a continued need for additional, well-located student bed spaces to support demand.

There are over twice as many full-time students in Manchester as there are purpose-built beds, with over 35,400 students unable to access a purpose-built student accommodation bed.  

This demonstrates the need for additional purpose-built student accommodation to be delivered in the city in a strategic and accessible location in order to house its growing student population.  

While other planning applications have come, and are coming, forward in the city, there is still a shortfall which need to be located in the right strategic sites for students and the city.