Prime Highlights:
Over the past decade, Glasgow has added nearly 6,000 purpose-built student accommodation rooms, with 20 new student blocks completed since 2015.
Glasgow City Council has approved plans for 3,222 additional student beds, the highest number in the past ten years.
Key Background:
Over the past ten years, Glasgow has made significant strides in expanding its student accommodation, with almost 6,000 purpose-built student rooms completed. According to data in Scotland, since 2015, 20 student housing blocks have been constructed, the majority of which are situated in the city center.
In addition to this expansion, Glasgow City Council has approved planning permission for the construction of 3,222 more student beds, a record high for the city in the past decade. However, despite these efforts, the city continues to face mounting challenges in addressing the rising demand for student accommodation. The number of students enrolled in Glasgow’s universities has increased by more than 20,000 over the last ten years, according to figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
The surge in student numbers has contributed to a broader housing crisis in Glasgow, exacerbated by a severe shortage of housing supply. In 2023, the city council declared a housing emergency in response to “unprecedented pressures,” with rental prices soaring due to the limited availability of housing. To mitigate this, the council took steps to encourage property owners to bring over 2,500 vacant properties back into use.
Glasgow’s three major universities—Glasgow University, Strathclyde University, and Glasgow Caledonian University—have all experienced notable increases in their student populations. Glasgow University alone has added more than 12,000 students since 2015. Despite the construction of new student accommodations, a recent report co-authored by Glasgow University revealed a shortfall of more than 6,000 student beds, placing many students at risk of homelessness. The growing demand for student housing in Glasgow underscores the need for continued investment and development in affordable and adequate accommodation options to support the expanding student population.
