Student Housing Research & Innovation Internship

Student Housing Research & Innovation Internship

Help create the future of student housing.

Starting mid-November 2026, continuing February–May 2027

Student housing is about more than buildings and beds. It is about creating better living environments for students, building stronger business models for owners, and understanding how the sector can evolve to meet changing needs.

We are launching a special internship for students who want to help shape the future of student housing through research, data analysis, market intelligence, and collaboration with industry stakeholders.

The mission is simple: help drive understanding, generate actionable insights, and work with owners to create better outcomes for everyone involved in student housing.

Four research streams

Interns will contribute to four interconnected research streams, exploring student housing from the perspective of residents, markets, owners, and the future of the industry.

1. The Student Experience

Understanding the people behind the housing.

- Research student needs, expectations, satisfaction, and affordability.- Explore the relationship between housing, wellbeing, academic success, and community.- Investigate which amenities, services, and living environments create the greatest value for students.- Identify opportunities to improve the student experience.

2. Markets, Supply & Demand

Understanding where housing is needed and why.

- Analyse student populations, university enrolment, housing supply, and demand.- Compare cities and university markets to identify shortages and emerging opportunities.- Research rental levels, affordability, demographic changes, and market trends.- Develop data-driven market comparisons to support better-informed decisions.

3. Ownership, Investment & Operations

Helping owners make better decisions.

- Analyse occupancy, rental income, operating costs, and property performance.- Benchmark assets and business models across student housing markets.- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and financial performance.- Explore how owners can balance investment returns with affordability, resident satisfaction, and long-term asset quality.

4. The Future of Student Housing

Exploring what comes next.

- Investigate emerging housing models, new technologies, and changing student expectations.- Explore flexible living, university partnerships, and innovative approaches to accommodation.- Assess how demographic, economic, and societal changes may shape future demand.- Develop ideas and recommendations for a more accessible, effective, and future-ready student housing sector.

How the internship works

Phase 1 — November–December 2026: Discover and Define

The internship begins in mid-November with an introduction to the student housing sector, the identification of key research questions, and the development of an initial analytical framework across the four research streams.

Phase 2 — February–May 2027: Research, Analyse and Deliver

The programme continues in the spring with deeper research, data analysis, market comparisons, and engagement with industry stakeholders. Interns will develop tangible outputs that translate their findings into practical insights and recommendations.

What you will contribute

Throughout the internship, you will have the opportunity to:

- Conduct research that improves understanding of student housing.- Collect, structure, and analyse data to uncover meaningful insights.- Work with owners and other stakeholders to understand real-world challenges.- Translate research findings into reports, visualisations, benchmarks, and recommendations.- Contribute to a broader understanding of how student housing can better serve students, owners, universities, investors, and communities.

What we aim to achieve

By May 2027, the programme aims to produce a body of research and practical intelligence that can help the student housing industry make better decisions.

This may include market research reports, data-driven benchmarks, stakeholder insights, and actionable recommendations for owners and operators.

This is more than a conventional internship. It is an opportunity to help build the knowledge, data, and ideas that will shape the next generation of student housing.

Help drive understanding. Help create better housing. Help shape the future of student living.