University of Exeter and UPP in £150m deal

A £150 million initiative to increase the amount of on-campus student accommodation, and thereby relieve pressure on the local rented housing market, has been announced by the University of Exeter. Following a competitive bidding process, the University has selected on-campus student accommodation provider University Partnerships Programme (UPP) as its ‘preferred bidder’. UPP will take over the running of Lafrowda Flats, Rowe and St German's and will then seek planning permission to redevelop some of the existing buildings and, in addition, to build further new student rooms on the University's Streatham Campus.

The initiative is a vital part of the University’s £450 million investment programme. This also includes a £48 million redevelopment of the centre of the Streatham Campus called the Forum Project, a £25 million investment in the Business School and £18 million for new facilities for Biosciences. The agreement with UPP is strategically important because it enables the University to concentrate its funds on academic investment whilst also being able to improve and increase student accommodation stock.

UPP company founder Clive Crawford added: “We work in partnership with universities to ensure we offer both high-quality accommodation for students and a solid financial solution. Being selected to work with the University of Exeter is testament to this offering, and we look forward to building a successful and productive relationship with the University and its students.”

The University’s £450 million investment programme is gaining pace. Last week the University selected leading architects Wilkinson Eyre to design its £48 million Forum Project to provide new learning and social space for students. Work is already underway on phase one of the Business School improvements and the University is now seeking planning approval for a major new building to expand facilities.