Turning Point Capital

INSIGHTS & OPINIONS

European Student Housing 2025: Institutional Demand Surges in Purpose-Built Accommodation (PBSA)

Marcus Emadi | Director at Turning Point Capital

CONTENTS

PBSA: An Established Core Asset Class in European Real Estate

In 2025, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) is no longer an emerging sector—it is an institutional core allocation. Record application numbers, limited supply, and evolving investor appetite have pushed PBSA to the forefront of alternative real estate investment across Europe.

At Turning Point Capital, we view PBSA as a resilient, countercyclical, and demographically backed opportunity that offers stable income, inflation-linked returns, and long-term growth.

Demand Drivers Remain Structural

Several forces are sustaining the momentum behind European PBSA:

  • Record student demand: International and domestic enrolments continue to rise across key markets.
  • Chronic supply shortage: Most major cities have insufficient beds relative to student populations.
  • Affordability pressure: Institutional-grade PBSA offers cost transparency and security amid rising rents.
  • Demographic tailwinds: Europe’s 18–25 age cohort is expanding, particularly in urban centers with world-class universities.

These fundamentals position PBSA as one of the most undersupplied and resilient asset classes in the residential space.

Key Investment Trends in 2025

  1. Capital Rotation Back into Beds

After a cautious 2023 and stabilisation through 2024, 2025 sees capital fully rotating back into income-generating residential assets—led by PBSA.

  1. Focus on Operational Performance

Institutions are prioritising stabilised, income-generating PBSA assets with strong brand and operational performance.

  1. Market Prioritisation

Investors are doubling down on cities with high barriers to entry and strong supply-demand mismatches—e.g., London, Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Milan, and Amsterdam.

  1. Platform Deals and M&A

Consolidation and operator alignment are key themes, with institutions backing platforms to scale across Europe.

Why Institutional Capital Prefers PBSA in 2025

PBSA delivers across multiple strategic priorities:

  • Yield stability through annual rental uplifts and fixed-term leases
  • Inflation hedging via indexed rent structures
  • Operational resilience during economic downturns
  • ESG alignment with modern, energy-efficient buildings and community integration
  • Diversification from traditional commercial real estate sectors

As a result, PBSA is now a strategic core-plus allocation for a wide range of global investors.

 

Looking Ahead: Europe’s PBSA Growth Path

While the UK remains the most mature PBSA market, continental Europe continues to accelerate. In 2025, improved regulatory frameworks, urbanisation, and rising student numbers are unlocking scalable opportunities in cities once considered secondary.

At Turning Point Capital, we see opportunities in:

  • Develop-to-core strategies with experienced delivery partners
  • Value-add refurbishments of legacy stock into ESG-compliant PBSA
  • Platform consolidation and cross-border operating partner growth

 

Final Thought: PBSA as Long-Term Core Plus

In 2025’s stabilising interest rate environment, PBSA stands out for its balance of income stability, demand certainty, and scalable growth potential. It offers investors a high-conviction way to deploy capital into a resilient, socially aligned sector.

Turning Point Capital continues to actively explore PBSA investment across core and emerging European university cities—partnering with leading developers and institutional-grade operators.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is PBSA?

Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) refers to housing specifically designed and managed for university students, often featuring en-suite rooms, communal spaces, and professional management.

It provides stable cash flow, inflation-linked returns, and strong long-term demand from growing student populations across Europe.

London, Berlin, Paris, Milan, Madrid, and Amsterdam are top targets due to deep student demand and constrained supply.

Yes. Most European cities have significant student housing shortages. Institutional capital is backing new developments and operational platforms.

Development exposure, regulatory shifts, and affordability constraints. These risks are mitigated through prime locations, ESG design, and experienced operators.

Share:

More Posts

Send Us A Message

Menu
Menu

Olympia Shabangu

Olympia Shabangu

Meet Olympia Shabangu, a seasoned professional specialising in capital markets and structured finance, currently serving as Director – Capital Markets at Amicorp Capital (DIFC) Ltd. In her role, Olympia offers comprehensive end-to-end structured finance and capital markets solutions, including advisory, agency services, fiduciary functions, arranging issuance, and listing of financial instruments.

Olympia attained her law degree from the University of the Witwatersrand and completed her articles at Blakes Maphanga Attorneys, gaining valuable legal experience that complements her expertise in financial services.
In addition to her professional commitments, Olympia has contributed writings on Medium, sharing insights and engaging with a broader audience on topics related to her field.

Through her extensive experience and strategic position at Amicorp Capital (DIFC) Ltd., Olympia continues to play a pivotal role in delivering innovative and compliant financial solutions, effectively navigating the complexities of the capital markets landscape.

Linkedin

Jafar Hamid

Jafar Hamid

Jafar Hamid is a seasoned financial professional specialising in wealth management and investment advisory services, with a focus on high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients. His expertise encompasses strategic asset allocation, risk management, and financial planning, aiming to optimize investment returns while mitigating risks.

 

In July 2009, Jafar joined HSBC Private Bank in London as Managing Director for Key Accounts. Prior to this, he led the key accounts desk in UBS’s South Asian team, where he honed his skills in managing complex client portfolios and delivering tailored financial solutions.

 

By December 2012, Jafar had transitioned to JP Morgan’s private bank, taking on the role of Executive Director. In this capacity, he focused on India-centric banking services, leveraging his deep understanding of the South Asian market to cater to the unique needs of his clients.

 

Throughout his career, Jafar has demonstrated a commitment to excellence and a client-centric approach, establishing himself as a trusted advisor in the financial industry. His extensive experience and strategic vision have contributed significantly to the growth and success of the institutions he has been part of.

Linkedin

Ezekiela Alatiit

Ezekiela Alatiit

Ezekiela Alatiit leads communications at Turning Point Capital, bringing over seven years of sales and marketing experience within the investment space. Based in London, she specialises in strategic messaging, media relations, and brand positioning—key elements in elevating the firm’s presence in the market. Ezekiela has worked with leading institutions including Morgan Stanley, PGIM, and Natixis, and her approach blends clarity with commercial insight. She holds a degree from the University of Newcastle and is an active contributor to industry panels and publications. Ezekiela’s ability to connect with stakeholders and drive impactful narratives makes her a crucial part of the Turning Point team.

Linkedin

Loredana Longo

Loredana Longo

As Head of Private Clients at Turning Point Capital, Loredana Longo oversees the firm’s relationships with high-net-worth individuals and families across Far East Asia, South America, and North America. With over ten years of experience and a degree in Economics and International Management from the University of Leeds, Loredana crafts tailored investment strategies with a deep understanding of cross-border wealth dynamics. She collaborates closely with legal, tax, and investment professionals to deliver integrated solutions. Fluent in multiple languages and recognised for her cultural awareness, Loredana is trusted for her discretion, empathy, and strategic perspective—making her a key driver of Turning Point Capital’s global private client offering.

Linkedin

Marcus Emadi

Marcus Emadi

Marcus Emadi is the Director of Turning Point Capital and a seasoned expert in real estate finance, with over a decade of experience across M&A, debt, and capital markets. Known for his strategic insight and execution, Marcus advises clients on complex transactions including equity raising, investment disposals, and bespoke finance structures. His background spans both advisory and principal investment roles, giving him a well-rounded perspective on deal structuring. With a vast network of institutional investors, developers, and operators, Marcus brings invaluable market knowledge to every engagement. He holds a First Class Honours Masters in International Business Management from the University of Manchester and is a Member of ARAD.

Linkedin

Abdul Buhari OLY

Abdul Buhari OLY

Abdul Buhari serves as a Relationship Manager at Credit Suisse Private Bank, focusing on High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) and Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals (UHNWIs). In this role, he provides tailored financial solutions, leveraging his expertise to manage and grow clients’ wealth effectively. Balancing his athletic career with his professional responsibilities, Abdul worked part-time in operations support at Credit Suisse while training for the 2012 Olympics. His unique background as an elite athlete has instilled in him a strong work ethic, discipline, and a commitment to excellence, qualities that he brings to his role in the financial industry.

Linkedin

Farooq Hakim

Farooq Hakim

Meet Farooq Hakim, a seasoned technology executive and Vice President for Strategic Accounts at Oracle Corporation, focusing on key clients across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. With over 30 years of experience in telecommunications and IT, he has held leadership roles in major organisations such as BT and Microsoft, driving digital transformation, cloud adoption, and technology innovation.

 

At Oracle, he leverages his deep expertise to help enterprises modernise their IT infrastructure, optimising cloud solutions for scalability, security, and operational efficiency. His extensive background in client and contract management (as COO & VP), technology innovation (as CIO & CTO), and business development (as Bid Director and Deal Architect) makes him a strategic leader in the field. He is also accredited in programme management (APM) and holds a TOGAF certification in enterprise architecture, further strengthening his ability to drive complex transformation projects.

 

Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Farooq has contributed to shaping enterprise IT strategies and advising organisations on emerging technologies, AI, and cloud computing. His track record of success in programme delivery, IT governance, and stakeholder management has earned him a reputation as a trusted leader in the technology sector.

Linkedin

Casper Nixon

Casper Nixon

Meet Caspar Nixon, a strategic and results-driven corporate affairs leader, specialising in reputation strategy; building corporate trust; policy communications; crisis and issues management; and product & consumer PR – across technology, FMCG, retail, financial services and government sectors.

 

Over 12 years of experience advising senior leaders and managing external communications for high profile and complex organisations including: CommBank, Virgin Mobile, Toyota, Google, Coca-Cola, Diageo, Unilever UK, The Industry Trust, Facebook, Telefonica (O2 UK) and the National Health Service.

 

For the past seven years I have led Uber’s corporate and product communications in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Linkedin

Victor Boys

Victor Boys

Victor Boys is a seasoned Chartered Surveyor (MRICS) with extensive experience in the real estate sector, most recently specialising in Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) and the office schemes. His expertise spans overseeing commercial development, valuation, and strategic asset optimisation, ensuring maximum value and performance for investors and stakeholders.


With a strong background in property valuation across multiple asset classes, Victor provides accurate assessments for investment, financing, and strategic planning. His deep knowledge of PBSA and office markets allows him to deliver tailored insights that drive operational efficiency and enhance asset profitability.

 

Victor is also skilled in lease negotiations, tenant relations, and regulatory compliance, making him a trusted advisor in complex commercial real estate transactions. His ability to balance investment returns with tenant satisfaction ensures long-term stability and growth in the properties he manages.


Beyond his technical expertise, Victor is known for his leadership and mentorship within the surveying community. He remains actively engaged in industry trends and best practices, contributing to the professional development of his peers. His commitment to high standards and ethical practices continues to shape the evolving landscape of BTR, PBSA and office sectors across the UK.

Linkedin

Based on your selections, we have identified 11 lenders on our platform that match your criteria.

Kindly complete the below and one of our team will be in touch shortly