Student Housing: Is UK Higher Education Running Out of Road?
Domestic enrolments are stalling. International numbers are under pressure. And universities are battling deficits with little government support. In this episode of Room to Grow, David Tymms sits down with a sector expert to dissect the financial, demographic, and political forces shaping the future of UK higher education—and what it all means for student housing.
From flat 18-year-old participation rates to new commuter patterns and the weakening residential model, the conversation dives deep into what’s driving change and where we go from here.
Nick Hillman is the Director of HEPI, the UK’s leading think tank for higher education policy. Prior to joining HEPI, he served as Special Adviser to the Minister for Universities and Science during the coalition era, contributing to landmark reforms including the removal of student number caps and the introduction of £9,000 tuition fees. A frequent media commentator and policy influencer, Nick has spent over two decades shaping and analysing the UK’s higher education landscape.
David Tymms is a Strategic Advisor to the Board at QX Global Group with over 30 years of leadership in student accommodation. He formerly served as COO at iQ Student Accommodation, where he helped scale the business and played a key role in its £4.7B acquisition by Blackstone. Prior to that, he was Director of Residential Services at LSE, leading major innovations in university housing. David brings deep expertise across both public and private PBSA, with a focus on strategic growth and operational excellence.
