Why are Students Turning to Specialist Universities?

As thousands of UK students settle into their first year at university, the number of students attending specialist institutions continues to rise.

Those beginning their final year at college are already looking ahead to their exams and their university applications; it is likely that some of them will look to the UK’s growing specialist universities. With an increasingly competitive job market for graduates, likely to be exacerbated by this year’s record intake of first year students, many students are turning to specialist courses that will offer them academic teaching and practical work experience in their chosen field.

UK Student Accommodation Investments

Institutions such as the University College of Football Business (UCFB) offer an alternative to the traditional focus of redbrick universities. Founded in 2011, UCFB was created to offer students the opportunity to gain degrees and an executive education specialising in the football industry. By providing excellent academic training combined with the practical application of skills through work placements, UCFB can offer students the chance to discover their pathway into football.

More than any other sport in the UK, football is big business. Employing more than 100,000 people and extending far beyond the pitch, the industry encompasses everything from the legal, marketing and finance professions to human resources, supply chain management and logistics. With unique access to the knowledge and experience of senior and respected figures within football, students are able to gain insight into how these many roles come together to create the success that happens within the sport. At their founding Burnley campus, located at Burnley Football Club's Turf Moor Stadium, there are 370 students enrolled. In addition to the wider business of football, the specialism of the Burnley campus is their unique football coaching course. With 80 students registered on this course, it is the largest single degree qualification that UCFB offer and is demonstrates the unique opportunities to found at specialist institutions.

The appeal of specialist degree and vocational education is being felt across the education industry, with more students looking to find access to a profession beyond university life. The UCFB brand has felt the effect of this shift, enjoying rapid expansion with the creation of a second campus at the home of English football – Wembley Stadium. UCFB Wembley has generated a vast amount of interest from students with an estimated 1,500 students expected to join the university within the next five years.

The growth of institutions such as the University College of Football Business reflects the desire of students to focus in on their specialist goals, whilst industries use these organisations as an opportunity to discover the wealth of talent that can help them succeed even further in the future.

Holmes Street Burnley UK Student Accommodation Investment

As the University College of Football Business continues to grow, more students are moving to the area to study at the institution. Currently, Burnley’s student property market is severely undersupplied, meaning that UCFB cannot provide any purpose built student accommodation for their students.

With the construction of the new Holmes Street student accommodation development, students at the university will be able to live in high quality, purpose built student studio apartments. Located just 250m from the UCFB campus, Holmes Street is the perfect location for students. Investors can benefit from this addition to the Burnley student market with a rental returns of 10% NET assured for 5 years and interest on deposit.

For further information on Holmes Street, please click here.