Delivering student accommodation solutions for the long-term

Universities in the UK have traditionally funded student accommodation on or near their campuses through their own resources or by borrowing within the tightly controlled restrictions of the higher education sector. By the mid 1990s, much of the country’s student accommodation was run-down and there was a shortage of the kind of high-quality, en-suite rooms many students were beginning to look for. In the mid-1990s, recognising that good-quality accommodation was an important factor in student choice, a number of institutions began to look for more innovative solutions.

A new way to fund the future
To meet this growing demand, Jarvis brought together a team which combines financial, construction and facilities management (FM) expertise to offer a new model to universities. Today, the Jarvis University Partnerships Programme (UPP) works closely with universities to provide the accommodation they need, to the standards they expect, without the delivery, demand, asset and operational liabilities traditionally associated with large-scale accommodation schemes.

The key to the UPP model is flexibility. Jarvis can either purchase and operate a complete scheme on behalf of the university; or buy, refurbish and operate existing accommodation. Alternatively, there is the option to buy or lease a site from the university itself or a third party, and then develop and operate a new scheme. Any combination of these options is also possible. In each case, Jarvis maintains and operates the accommodation to a set of standards agreed in advance with the university.

Working together to create a better living environment
Long-term partnership with the university or universities involved is vital to the success of the UPP model. This is what makes Jarvis unique. The UPP approach is about providing not just a building, but a pleasant and cost-effective environment which will be home to several generations of students. That means building in quality from the start – particularly on a new-build or refurbished scheme. This up-front investment helps to keep maintenance and running costs to a minimum throughout the life of the building.

Jarvis provides a range of hard and soft FM services through the life of the partnership. The extent of these services is negotiated to suit each customer. For example, although Jarvis can handle bookings, many universities prefer to market and allocate rooms themselves while Jarvis provides behind-the-scenes maintenance. Close working relationships with university estates and buildings departments are a feature of many of the Company’s partnerships.

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Factfile

• First university accommodation scheme completed in 1999
• Original University Partnerships Programme (UPP) fund established in 1998 to provide £500 million of financing, in partnership with Abbey National Treasury Services, Barclays and Barclays UK Infrastructure Fund
• Working on over 21 major projects with universities and colleges
• Over £1 billion of funding committed, providing more than 20,000 student rooms