The rapid expansion of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) in Belfast has raised concerns about potential oversupply, as universities reassess their housing needs in light of shifting student numbers.

According to a study conducted by the Irish News, since 2021, over 7,500 new student accommodation units have been completed, are under construction, or have received planning approval in the city. This includes 2,871 units already in use, 1,425 currently being built, and a further 3,218 with approved planning permission. An additional 3,500 units are proposed across various developments.

However, Ulster University has now stated that existing student accommodation in Belfast is sufficient to meet current and future demand. Queen’s University, which operates its own student residences, is also reviewing its housing strategy due to a significant decline in international student numbers.

This reassessment follows a recent Planning Appeals Commission ruling that overturned Belfast City Council’s decision to refuse permission for a 795-unit PBSA development near Royal Avenue. The commissioner’s report cited outdated estimates, including a 6,000-bed shortfall claim attributed to Queen’s and a 1,700-bed requirement from Ulster University. Sources indicate these figures were based on assessments conducted before the 2021/22 academic year.

At that time, Queen’s projected the need for 2,500 additional beds by 2030, driven by a post-pandemic surge in student numbers. However, the landscape has since changed dramatically. Reports suggest UK student visa approvals dropped by 30 percent this academic year, with postgraduate enrolments declining by 40 percent. Universities across the UK are facing financial strain, with some forecasting up to 10 thousand job losses. Queen’s University itself is reportedly planning to cut 270 jobs due to an 11 million pound budget shortfall.

Despite this, Queen’s continues to expand its accommodation portfolio. In August 2024, construction began on a 46 million pound, 16-storey PBSA development on Dublin Road, set to provide 459 new student units. Meanwhile, the university is also planning to open a new campus in India, reflecting a strategic shift amid declining international enrolments.