Belfast is currently home to an estimated 45,000 full time students attending third level education. It is estimated that 3,000 more rooms will be needed in Belfast within the next five years for Queen’s University students alone in line with an increased demand from students opting to live in high quality student accommodation.  

With a five per cent increase in applications for student accommodation this year, compared to last, Queen’s is determined to be ready for the challenges ahead. 

And the plans come after a recent UK-wide report by StuRents, the UK's leading student accommodation search, property management and data platform has revealed that the UK is set to face a shortfall of around 450,000 student beds by 2025. 

Three new sites across Belfast have been acquired by the university at Dublin Road, Laganbank and Brunswick Street as part of its accommodation growth plan, within the Queen’s ambitious Strategy 2030. The range of highly sustainable accommodation, which are being designed to achieve full Passivhaus certification, will create additional places for Queen’s students, staff and their families. As well as an expected investment of up to £100m, it would create up to 225 jobs while transforming the city centre.  

Caroline Young, Vice President of Students and Corporate Services at Queen’s, said: “We have been aware of and planning for a major increase in demand for student accommodation in recent years and through this significant investment, we are ensuring we are prepared to respond effectively. There is a specific focus on the need for high quality, affordable and safe housing options, in close proximity to Queen’s. 

“Belfast is already one of the top university cities across the UK and Ireland in terms of providing the best value for money for student accommodation, with rental prices for our offering including all bills, 24-hour security, gym membership and more.  

“Securing these three sites close to Queen’s and the city centre, is not only putting us on the front foot in terms of keeping our best students at home and attracting others from elsewhere, but it will also have a hugely positive effect on the city as a whole in terms of attracting developers, businesses and better services and crucially will help deliver Belfast City Council Agenda for 66,000 more residents living in our city centre by 2030."  

Dublin Road is the first of the three sites where construction will begin, by contractors GRAHAM where up to 460 student rooms could be built. A public consultation on this site is currently taking place.  

Gary Holmes, Regional Managing Director Building North from GRAHAM Building North, said: “We are excited to be leading on the construction of this new development, which will help to transform the area while boosting the economy. As part of our commitment to social impact, we are implementing an Employment and Skills programme to support local unemployed residents into the industry. We will also be working closely with community organisations to provide volunteering opportunities for our staff as well as working with local schools to offer site visits and curriculum support.”   

A recent report by the London School of Economics highlighted the £3.2bn impact of Queen’s on the economy, driving economic growth and creating new and better jobs. The report also revealed that a degree from Queen’s is worth over £100k to the graduate, with a further benefit to the public purse of some £93,000.   

Ms Young added: “The three new accommodation sites form part of a longer term plan by the University to obtain up to 3,000 more rooms that will not only positively impact the economy for the foreseeable future in terms of job creation and the transformation of the area but also in the long-term with the impact expected to be seen for generations of students to come.”