INVESTMENT CASE We are the UK’s largest owner, manager and developer of purpose-built student accommodation. Sustainable growth Structurally growing sector Demographic growth The UK’s 18-year-old population is set to grow by 6% by 2030, supporting demand for undergraduate study at UK universities. 1 High-quality portfolio Growing alignment to the strongest universities Over the medium term, we will grow alignment to the strongest universities from 67% to 80%. This is where we see the strongest prospects for student number growth. We have increased our targeted run-rate of disposals to £300–400 million p.a. to support this approach. Value-for-money We offer students a high-quality and value-for- money living experience, with support on hand when it is needed. Our pricing is inclusive of utilities, Wi-Fi, contents insurance and maintenance. Our pricing is comparable to HMOs when allowing for the services included within our rent. We offer a range of price-points in each of our cities, catering to different groups of students. Investing to enhance our operational estate There is a multi-year opportunity to enhance rents and reduce operational costs through refurbishment projects and energy efficiency measures which improve the student experience and reduce resource use in our buildings. 2 Rising Higher Education participation 2025/26 saw a record number of UK 18-year- olds starting university, demonstrating young people’s recognition of the opportunities and life experience that university provides. Graduates earn £200,000–£300,000 more over their lifetime than non-graduates, and young graduates are 15% more likely to be employed than non-graduates, underlining the substantial value of university education. Students are increasingly focused on the value of their studies and employment outcomes. The strongest growth in student numbers has also been seen at higher-ranked universities, with numbers reducing at the lower-ranked, where students are increasingly likely to live at home. Growing attractiveness of UK Higher Education The Government is supportive of the Higher Education sector and sees it as a fundamental pillar of the UK’s industrial strategy. The international Education Strategy reaffirmed commitment to sustainable recruitment of high-quality international students and targets 25% growth in the value of education exports over four years. The Post-16 Education and Skills white paper supports the sector and focuses on quality of provision, increased specialisation of institutions and is supportive of international students coming to the UK which contrasts with the introduction of restrictions by the United States, Australia and Canada on student numbers, three leading competitors for international students. THE UNITE GROUP PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2025 12 STRATEGIC REPORT