Q Investment Partners (QIP) has acquired a £14m development loan, from Maslow Capital, to support the delivery of a 76-unit purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Edinburgh.
Located at Canongate, the scheme enjoys a prime location within Edinburgh’s historic city centre and benefits from excellent transport connectivity. The PBSA scheme will deliver 76 studio rooms alongside quality amenity space, separate study rooms, a multimedia room, gym, break out space and cycle storage.
The site is conveniently positioned near two of the city’s leading academic institutions – The University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier University – making it an ideal student residence location.
The University of Edinburgh, ranked 29th globally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and is located just a 15-minute walk from the project.
“Maslow Capital has been a trusted and valued lending partner across multiple schemes, and this fourth funding arrangement is a testament to the strength of our relationship. Their market expertise and collaborative mindset have been integral to the success of our projects, and we are pleased to be working together once again. This marks our third scheme with them in Edinburgh, a top-tier university city we know well – as we look forward to delivering another best-in-class UK PBSA development that addresses the sector’s acute demand-supply imbalance.”
Abhinav Swamy, Head of Investment, Q Investment Partners
Edinburgh continues to attract a diverse student community, underpinning sustained demand for high-quality, centrally located student accommodation. This latest project aims to address this market need, enhancing the local academic environment.
“PBSA in the UK faces a chronic shortfall; industry research points to an unmet demand of roughly 600,000 bed spaces nationwide, with just 9,000 new beds delivered last year – barely a third of historic levels. At the same time, demand is rising.
“Recent analysis recorded a 25% year-on-year jump in interest from US students for British degrees in March alone, as policy uncertainty at home encourages them to look overseas.
“The UK is increasingly seen as a viable study alternative for international students, owing to the relative stability of its immigration rules compared to the US, Australia, and Canada. Against this backdrop, financing well-located schemes such as this one in Edinburgh is not only commercially attractive but essential to narrowing the supply gap and ensuring the UK remains the destination of choice for both domestic and international students.”
Rachael Gordon, Head of Deal Execution, Maslow Capital (UK & Europe)
This transaction marks the fourth successful funding arrangement between Maslow and QIP, bringing the total financing provided across their partnership to over £61m.
All four funded projects are purpose-built student accommodation assets, including £17.7m for London Road in Edinburgh, £19.64m for Huntingdon Road in Nottingham, £10.5m for East Newington Place in Edinburgh, and now £14m for Canongate in Edinburgh.
“We are pleased to strengthen our longstanding relationship with Q Investment Partners through this fourth transaction, further demonstrating our mutual commitment to enhancing the supply and quality of student accommodation in key university cities.
“QIP’s proactive approach across their projects significantly contributes to addressing the growing demand for premium student housing. This development at Canongate exemplifies this strategy, being ideally positioned to meet student needs and elevate Edinburgh’s student living standards.”
Sky Mapson, Senior Director, Origination, Maslow Capital
Scottish construction company, Clark Contracts was appointed in January 2025 to deliver the scheme. The company has over four decades of experience across public and private sector projects.
