Highlights of our program include the "Investment Barometer," where esteemed operators, investors, and advisors will share their predictions for the PBSA market, unveiling the prime investment opportunities across European countries and cities. Delve into data insights on student living in Germany and Spain, gaining a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics, trends, and growth drivers.

The Class Conference is our annual flagship event and is the largest network in Europe where leaders from real estate, higher education, urban planning, and policy-making come together to explore how big ideas and cross-border collaboration will shape the future of student living. Get cutting-edge insights from industry trailblazers and network with international executives, investors, developers, operators, and more over the course of our two-day programme.  

Reality Check: Empowering Growth, Sustainability, and Student Well-being in the Evolving Student Housing Landscape

This year’s theme is “Reality Check”, which serves as a powerful framework to explore and address the key subjects at the forefront of the student housing industry.  

The idea stemmed from the recognition that it is essential to first confront the pressing challenges happening on the ground while also working on the more visionary goals for the sector. Our aim is to delve deep and categorise the main challenges of the sector by examining it through four main lenses; affordability, sustainability, investment, and experience. With these lenses, we hope to contextualise all the goals that our community works toward.  

1. Affordability: The cost-of-living crisis is one of the greatest barriers to a student’s educational journey throughout university. Examining through the lens of affordability in student housing entails exploring strategies and solutions to make accommodation more accessible and affordable for students. This includes considering factors such as rental costs, shared living options, and innovative financing models. We will also explore risk mitigation of risk for investors through long term affordable policy implementation

2. Sustainability: Looking through the lens of sustainability in student housing means emphasising the importance of environmentally friendly practices and initiatives. Students and young people are more climate conscious than ever, and we aim to fulfil their needs by highlighting future-proof solutions. It involves exploring ways to reduce energy consumption, promote recycling and waste reduction, implement sustainable building materials and technologies, and create eco-conscious living environments.

3. Experience: Focusing on the theme of experience involves enhancing the overall living, social & learning experience. This encompasses factors such as community engagement, access to amenities and services, adequate support systems, and the integration of technology to facilitate seamless and enriching experiences.

4. Investment: The theme of investment centres around attracting and facilitating investment opportunities for shared living & mixed-use assets. This includes examining market trends, financial viability, and potential returns on investment. It also involves exploring innovative funding models, partnerships, and strategies to support the growth and development of alternative assets.

These four lenses collectively encapsulate what we want to achieve with this year’s conference: creating a holistic and comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the student housing industry, while driving meaningful discussions and shaping the future of student & young professional living.