Redevelopment can be the better option if universities need to increase quantity as well as quality There are some other factors that may carry variable weight depending on the specific circumstances. Accessibility is very important for universities, but they do recognise that in instances where there would be a real difficulty in bringing older stock up to modern specifications, and there are options for better accommodating students’ needs elsewhere in their estate, then this requirement can be relaxed. If they are undersupplied with accessible rooms, however, and the older stock is more conveniently located on campus, as is often the case, then this is a compelling case for new build. Sustainability is also very important but this is double-edged. A refurbishment will score better on embodied carbon then a new build, but over longer periods may produce more carbon given its inherent inefficiencies. Universities will often cite avoidance of future backlog maintenance costs as a justification for redevelopment over refurbishment. However, given universities’ poor track record in setting aside sinking funds for investment in lifecycle, this is ironic, as the argument rests on saving money that in all likelihood would never have been spent anyway. Redevelopment can also improve density and land use, which is particularly important if universities need to increase quantity as well as quality. Note i in the Appendix shows a selection of on- campus projects, encompassing demolition of old halls of residence and construction of new PBSA, that have either received planning permission or been built within the last 10 years. All of these projects have involved an increase in the number of beds, and two-thirds of them have at least doubled the number of beds. Each site will have been very different but the common theme across all of these examples was the ability to increase density through redevelopment. For universities with a strong need to increase the number of beds available to students, redevelopment will often have an advantage over refurbishment. Shared kitchen at Unite Students’ Bromley Place, Nottingham A Student First Group research report | April 2026 | Page 19