Key investors and their strategies in the expansion of European student housing investment

The aim of this paper is to understand the expansion process investment into Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) in Europe by examining transformations student housing landscapes and uncovering profiles strategies key investors between 2010 2020. Using data from Real Capital Analytics, trends capital structures PBSA are identified. Investors driving these scrutinised terms their timelines, locations, hold periods portfolio diversification. Furthermore, in-depth interviews with property analysts, investors, developers substantiate quantitative analysis. empirical results show that Private Equity entered European market, starting UK, when yield premium post-GFC justified perceived risk. funds typically portfolios for around five years trade counter-cyclically institutions such as pension funds. specialists, mainly REITs, have accumulated substantial portfolios, REIT structure well-suited steady income which rents should provide, but lack diversification leaves them vulnerable changes demographics accommodation requirements.