Unite Group PLC on Thursday said it has sold fewer beds in the current sales cycle compared to a year ago, after the UK government tightened regulations on students bringing dependants to the country.

The Bristol, England-based owner and manager of student accommodation said its start to the 2025/26 sales cycle was ‘positive’ with 66% of beds sold, down from 70% a year ago.

In 2024, the UK government introduced stricter regulations on people from overseas wishing to study in the UK. International students are no longer able to bring dependants on their student visa, with exceptions in place for some such as those studying a postgraduate research course, or for students on courses with government-funded scholarships.

Unite expects 97% to 98% occupancy and 4% to 5% rental growth for the 2025/26 academic year, compared to 97.5% occupancy and like-for-like rental growth of 8.2% in academic year 2024/25, and compared to occupancy of 99.8% and rental growth of 7.4% in academic year 2023/24.

The company said it saw ‘improving trends in international student demand thanks to a more settled policy backdrop after the uncertainty created by changes to student visa rules and the review of the graduate route in the first half of 2024. Positively, the latest recruitment data indicates a 14% increase in international student acceptances for courses starting in January 2025.’

Unite added: ‘A planning application for our Newcastle University joint venture was submitted in the summer and we expect the application to go to committee early this year. We are making good progress with a second University joint venture, which we expect to announce within the next 3-6 months.’

For 2024, Unite expects to report adjusted earnings per share between 45.5 and 46.5 pence, maintaining its previous guidance, and up from 44.3p in 2023.

The company will release its 2024 results on February 25.

Unite shares were 0.6% lower at 791.00 pence each on Thursday morning in London.

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