CEPS RESEARCH SEMINARS

Tuesday 17th  January 2026

12.00 - 13.00

Are International Students Struggling More? Comparing Housing Challenges of British and International Students in Glasgow

Joseph Zhao

Division of Engineering and Physical Sciences

This study examines the impact of studentification on the UK’s fragmented rental housing markets, highlighting the overlooked challenges faced by student tenants in housing financialization research. With the rise of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) and diverse international housing search strategies, international students encounter distinct difficulties compared to British students. Using a mixed-methods approach, this research draws on 436 survey questionnaires and four focus groups with international Chinese and British home students in Glasgow during the 2022 UK housing crisis. Findings reveal shared struggles with affordability and limited housing options, but international students - often reliant on PBSA and informal rental agents - face higher rents and greater instability due to asymmetrical information. This study contributes to literature on student housing experiences, shedding light on how financialization shapes a fractured rental market for students of different backgrounds.

Key Words: International Students; Home Students; Housing Experience; PBSA, 2022 Housing Crisis, Glasgow

Delivery mode/venue TBC

Chaired by Dr Mojtaba Mirzaeian