Including new facilities for universities, colleges and other major organisations
Home to more than 50 higher education systems, London is a leading centre for nurturing top talent. The capital contains 3 universities in the global top 40 (QS World University Rankings 2024). It is a magnet for the best students and researchers from across the globe, collectively educating over a half a million students and employing over 223,000 people across all sectors of the UK economy.
London’s international students make up 40% of all first-year students, and contribute £9.5bn in net economic benefit to the UK (London higher).
London’s higher education institutions make an essential contribution to the success of the capital's business and enterprise, generating over £27bn in economic impact (London higher).
It is estimated that by 2026, universities will generate £149ml in regeneration projects in London (London higher).
Post-pandemic, there has been an acceleration in office leasing activity from education institutions across the London and South East region, with annual take-up from the sector surpassing 400,000 sq ft each year since the start of 2020, which previously had only occurred twice from 2012–2019 (Savills).
Student numbers have increased by 15% over the last five years in London (HESA), stimulating London’s higher education sector to expand their real estate footprint.
This expansion is most notable in the Greater London market area, where the three highest years of take-up by the sector from 2020-2022 were recorded. Increasing student numbers, expansion of London-based institutions and collaboration with regional and international universities have fuelled the growth of this sector. Regional universities have sought to establish or expand their presence in London to capitalise on the rise in student entrants with 12 universities outside the capital having leased office space since the start of 2020 (Savills).
Located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, East Bank is a unique collaboration between cultural institutions, world leading universities and the people of the Olympic boroughs.
A world-class cultural and education district, East Bank comprises of BBC Music Studios, UAL: London College of Fashion, Sadler’s Wells East, UCL (University College London) and V&A East. London College of Fashion, UAL and UCL are already open for students and events with Sadler's Wells East expected later in 2024 and V&A East and BBC Music Studios opening in 2025.
In March 2022, the University of Portsmouth and Waltham Forest Council announced that the University would be launching a new London campus in Waltham Forest. The University of Portsmouth London will offer undergraduate and postgraduate course, along with a number of learning opportunities in apprenticeships and continuous learning programmes.
The campus will bring an estimated £372 million in wider economic benefits over the next 20 years and the creation of over 500 jobs in the borough.
