Snooker Hall Mutley

Economic and Social Value of Students*

Plymouth has two successful academic institutions; The University of Plymouth, and the University of St Mark and St John (Marjon).

The University of Plymouth:

Plymouth University is now one of the largest in the UK with 24,525 students and is the only post-1992 university with its own medical school.  The university is the largest provider of nursing, midwifery and professional health education and training in the region.

The University of St Mark & St John (Marjon)

Marjon aims to double in size over the next decade, and develop a “credible and critical mass” in each of its specialist subject areas, to make economies of scale and invest in development. There has already been investment of £20 million in the campus buildings and sports facilities a new Journalism and Media Centre opened in 2013 to coincide with full university status.

Halls of Residence

The University of Plymouth has 11 halls of residence offering 2,985 bed spaces to its students. None is catered.

Marjon offers 460 bedrooms to its students. The accommodation comprises a mixture of en-suite or non en-suite halls of residences and campus village houses. In total, the higher education institutions in Plymouth provide 3,445 beds to students in the city leaving 20,145 students either living at home or in private rented accommodation, some of which operate as HMOs.

International Students

The 2,415 international students currently studying in Plymouth make up 10.2% of the higher education student population, significantly below the international average of 22.9%.

Purpose Built Student Accommodation

Plymouth has 16 private sector purpose built student halls providing direct let student accommodation. This results in 1,266 rooms in total, operated by some large operators such as Unite Group plc, Collegiate AC and more local, smaller operators, such as Spectrum/Signpost.

Pipeline and Consented Schemes

Consented: There are 12 planning applications currently in the planning system which have gained consent, providing 1,862 beds. Of all the consented schemes, 309 bedrooms are currently under construction.

Pipeline: Known applications have been made for a further 16 beds, for which consent has not yet been granted.

Conclusion

Supply The Universities in Plymouth have 23,590 students but are only in a position to offer 3,445 students accommodation in halls of residence. This represents just 14.6% of the full time student population, illustrating a considerable undersupply.

• There are currently 16 private sector purpose built schemes are operational providing 1,266 bed spaces. These rooms represent just 5.4% of the full time student population, illustrating considerable undersupply.
• The number of beds provided by a combination of the halls of residence and the private sector schemes totals 4,711. This represents just 20.0% of the total student population and leaves 18,879 (80.0%) of the students unable to access university or private sector accommodation.
• Even if the consented pipeline of development (1,862 bed spaces) were to be completed, there would still be an undersupply, with 17,017 (72.1%) students still unable to access accommodation.
• The majority of students currently live in HMO stock of varying quality, with rents exclusive of utilities