Unite Group acquires Empiric Student Property

Unite Group has completed its acquisition of Empiric Student Property, bringing the Hello Student brand into its portfolio and adding 7,700 beds across 68 buildings in 22 UK cities. The transaction marks a significant expansion of Unite’s footprint in the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sector.

The combined portfolio now totals 71,000 beds in 29 cities, with 92% of assets located in Russell Group university locations. The deal broadens Unite’s offer by complementing its traditional focus on first-year undergraduates with accommodation tailored for returning and postgraduate students.

Empiric’s Hello Student brand has established a niche in the premium segment for more mature students, offering a different product mix that supports Unite’s aim of serving students across their entire university lifecycle.

Joe Lister, chief executive of Unite Group, said: “Bringing Hello Student into the Group is an exciting moment for our business. Its high quality, complementary portfolio enhances our ability to support students throughout their academic journey, particularly in the returner and postgrad segments.”

The acquisition is part of Unite’s wider strategy to diversify its offer and scale operations in key higher education cities. It also aligns with the company’s partnerships with universities and its active development pipeline.

With pressure on student housing supply continuing across the UK, the deal allows Unite to strengthen its position in a constrained market while enhancing the breadth of its customer offer. The company said the acquisition would help it deliver value-for-money housing at scale in locations with consistently high demand.

The move reinforces Unite’s long-term strategy of creating “Homes for Success” and supporting students at all stages of their academic experience, while also positioning the company to meet growing demand in the postgraduate and returner segments of the PBSA market.