The Times Higher Education (THE) has released its 2024 World University Impact Rankings. This ranking measures the achievements of universities worldwide in fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It was first launched globally on April 3, 2019, and this year marks its sixth edition.
A total of 68 UK universities made the list, with 25 ranking among the top 100 globally. Among them, the University of Manchester stood out, retaining its position as the No.2 university worldwide and No.1 in the UK. In the past six years, Manchester has consistently ranked high in the THE World University Impact Rankings, even taking the top spot globally in 2021.
As a prestigious institution ranked No.6 in the UK and No.34 globally by QS, Manchester University has become even more appealing. However, the city of Manchester is equally fascinating in the property market, attracting investors from around the world.
In 2025, Manchester continues to be a hotspot for buy-to-let property investments in the UK, recognized as one of the "most promising cities for investment" this year.
For many considering investing in Manchester's real estate, the strong rental yields and potential for capital appreciation are major draws. Research by UOWN indicates that house prices in the North West of England are expected to rise faster than anywhere else in the UK over the next five years, with a cumulative increase of up to 29.4%.
Similarly, JLL predicts that Manchester will be one of the UK cities with the highest house price growth. Over the past few years, Manchester's property market has defied trends, consistently ranking at the top of Zoopla's list of the top 20 cities for house price growth. This underscores the robust strength of Manchester's real estate investment and its market resilience.
From a rental market perspective, with an influx of tenants into Manchester, rental prices for buy-to-let properties have surged by over 72% in the past decade, compared to the UK average of 44.4%. This has directly led to an increase in rental yields in Manchester. Data shows that the average return on property investment in Manchester was 6.5% in 2024, compared to the national average of 4.75%.
In essence, the two news stories can be summarized as "Manchester University is a top-tier institution + Manchester is a great investment destination."
For students who have received offers from the University of Manchester and their parents, it's time to start paying tuition fees, booking apartments, purchasing flights, arranging visas, and budgeting for living expenses...
However, there's another group of parents who are "quietly making their move," using a "property-funded education" strategy to achieve a double win of offsetting tuition fees and gaining asset appreciation, with Manchester as their top choice. What is "property-funded education"?
Literally, it means:
1.Buying a property to live in, thus eliminating expensive rent paid to others.
2.Buying a property to rent out, using the funds to subsidize other expenses.
3.Capitalizing on the property's appreciation to minimize the cost of studying abroad.
The core concept of this strategy is to use property investment to cover or partially offset tuition fees, living expenses, and even generate long-term investment returns during a child's study abroad period. Specifically, this model has the following characteristics:
Property Investment and Rental Income: After purchasing a property in Manchester, one can choose to live in it or, in the case of a two-bedroom apartment, rent out the extra room to generate stable rental income. The demand for rental properties near the University of Manchester is particularly high, offering substantial rental yields.
Reducing Study Abroad Costs: Compared to long-term renting, buying a property can avoid high rental expenses and offset some educational and living costs through property appreciation.
Long-Term Asset Appreciation: Manchester's property market is considered a stable investment choice, especially in prime locations near the University of Manchester. Over time, the potential for property appreciation is significant, providing both asset accumulation for the family and financial security for the child's future.
Flexible Exit Strategy: After the child completes their studies, parents can choose to continue renting out the property for income or sell it for a profit.
In summary, parents can achieve "education, housing, and asset allocation" all in one go through this strategy.
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