The Class Conference 2024: The Next Chapter opens not only a space to reflect on the PBSA sector’s achievements and milestones of the past decade but also acts as a catalyst to collectively reimagine and shape its future in the coming one. At a time when core concepts that form the foundation of our sector, such as city, university, and even youth sentiment, are rapidly evolving, a collective action plan is needed to guide meaningful change and impact.

The Class Foundation and our partners are committed to consulting, shaping, and publishing this agenda through our 10-Year Student Living Vision, which will be brought to life from key takeaways of The Class Conference 2024. Our community thrives on sharing innovative ideas, design concepts, operational practices, and wellbeing strategies. We see greater opportunities to turn these learnings into active solutions. With over 14 years of analyzed research, influential events, and the development of more than 100 strategic partnerships with industry leaders, The Class Foundation has created a groundbreaking programme for The Next Chapter, centered on Accessibility, Availability, Collaboration, and Experience. These pillars challenge the status quo of the student living sector and are at the forefront of industry transformation. The Next Chapter will also foster cross-sectoral collaboration during curated Community Hub activities and set the stage for data-driven Market Insights in key and accelerating countries across Europe.  

During last year’s conference, JLL reported that “only about 15% of students can access European student housing.” It is estimated that demand for student housing exceeds 4.7 million beds across 17 major European markets. The middle class is now considered the largest socio-economic group in the world, contributing to the expectation that student numbers will continue to grow and reach nearly 600 million by 2040. The Class Foundation’s community represents over 3 million bedspaces, with assets valued at approximately £400 billion, highlighting the sector's ability to drive substantial impact.

Bold solutions to industry challenges are needed; below are some burning questions we will unpack during The Next Chapter:

• How can the PBSA sector reconcile its profit-driven motives with the growing demand for accessibility and affordability in student housing?

• With only about 15% of students able to access student housing in Europe, what radical changes in funding, policy, or design are needed to address and close this gap with the necessary type of housing?

• How do we measure success in the PBSA sector—by occupancy rates, profitability, or by the long-term success and well-being of the students we serve?

This year’s conference destination, Manchester, Europe’s 'youngest city,' has been ranked as the leading large UK city for Foreign Direct Investment in 2024. Its sustained dynamic growth and economic transformation emphasizes its strategic significance, offering a compelling backdrop for in-depth discussions on the evolving intersections of urban development, education, and student housing.

The Next Chapter welcomes all agents of sector transformation—from city leaders to urban planners, from PBSA professionals to student representatives—to connect, strategize, and co-write the future of student living with us. Let’s turn the page together.