The Class Foundation is excited to announce the Student Living France forum on September 2025!

The one-day programme includes site tours, workshop sessions, and though leadership panel conversations, and is set to connect a wide array of key players within the PBSA sector -from investors to operators, from universities to policy makers- to engage in the shaping of a common Agenda for Change.

About the Event

France stands at the centre of a shifting European higher education landscape. With over 3 million students, including 420,000 international students (up 17% in five years), France now hosts the largest student population in Europe. It ranks 4th in Europe for English-Taught Programmes, and its academic prestige is growing; 55% more universities now rank in the QS Top 600 compared to 2021.

Yet despite world-class institutions, France’s student accommodation infrastructure is lagging. Just 15% of students live in PBSA or university halls, while 28% live alone in private rentals, more than double the European average. The strain is particularly acute in Île-de-France, Lyon, Toulouse, and the PACA region (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, including cities like Marseille and Nice) where availability, affordability, and accessibility converge as pressing challenges.

France has the largest private PBSA stock in continental Europe, with around 200,000 beds, yet provision remains limited relative to need. JLL anticipates a 15% increase in bed numbers over the next three years, but even this expansion will not close the gap. According to JLL estimates, France faces an unmet demand of 640,000 student beds by 2030, one of the highest shortfalls in Europe.

Savills’ 2024 PBSA Investment Barometer shows that even if all private operators across Europe expanded by 70%, the provision rate would only rise from 11% to 17%, highlighting the systemic nature of undersupply. However, France is underperforming in private investment penetration. While international players like Greystar and Blackstone are active, the market remains dominated by domestic capital (78%), and regulatory ambiguity around affordability threatens future inflows.

Yet, the opportunity is clear. Capital availability is improving, especially for stabilised assets, and according to TCF x Savills European PBSA Investment Barometer 2024 report, France is among the top 5 most targeted European PBSA destinations.

Against this backdrop, the Student Living Forum: France, proposes a National Action Framework (NAF) for PBSA. Rooted in four pillars, Availability, Accessibility, Experience, and Collaboration, the NAF aims to align France’s growing educational ambitions with sustainable, high-quality student housing.

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Join us for thought-provoking discussions, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities that will define the future of student living in France.

This forum is proudly supported by Salto, UXCO, Greystar, and WiFirst

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Agenda

12:00 - 12:30

Registration

Location: Greystar Canvas La Defense
Address: 60, Avenue du General du Gaulle, Puteaux

12:30- 13:30

Site Tour and Networking Lunch

Experience first-hand how urban regeneration and design-forward PBSA assets are being delivered in the Paris region with a site tour of Greystar's Canvas La Défense and a rooftop lunch.

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13:45 - 14:00

Vision for Student living and Learning in France

The Forum begins with a joint welcome from Kelly-Anne Watson, Managing Director of The Class Foundation and Laurent Chaillou and Nicolas Huille, where they will set the scene by sharing a vision for student living and learning for France.

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Speakers:

Kelly-anne Watson - Managing Director | The Class Foundation

Laurent Chaillou - COO and Senior Director France | Greystar

Nicolas Huille - Senior Investment Director France | Greystar

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14:00 - 14:40

Data Insight: Student Trends, Real Estate, and Legal Realities

This session offers a comprehensive snapshot of France’s student housing landscape. Combining data on provision, demand, mobility, internationalisation trends, student expectations, and investor sentiment.

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Speakers:

Arunima Dey - Research and Programme Manager | The Class Foundation

Marcus Roberts - Head of Europe, Operational Capital Markets | Savills

Etienne Chesneau - Lawyer, Partner | Gide

Marie Pastier-Mollet - Partner | Gide

14:40 - 15:40

Workshop : Initiating France's National Action Framework

France has the fundamentals to lead Europe in student living, but without coordination, the system risks falling short. This workshop is designed to bring together the full spectrum of student housing stakeholders to co-create a national action framework for France, a policy and investment roadmap that moves the sector from fragmented initiatives to coordinated impact.

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Speakers:

Pavlina Chandras - Head of Operations, Europe Living | EQT

Guillame Deri - Operations Manager | Greystar

Thomas Seguy - Chief Operating Officer | The Boost Society

Pierre Seguin - Head of Investments and Asset Management | UXCO Group

Arthur Rosaz - Head of Investment | The Boost Society

Francois Sotom - Industry Manager | Wifirst

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15:40 - 16:15

Evaluation : Co-creating France's National Action Framework

A summary of the Forum’s key takeaways, emerging commitments, and next steps in exploring a National Action Framework for France.

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17:30 - 19:30

Site Tour and Drinks Reception

Join peers across sectors for informal networking session, drinks, and exploration of UXCO’s PBSA site, one of the region’s most innovative approaches to student living.

Location: Ecla Paris Massy-Palaiseau

Address: 16 Av. Emile Baudot, 91120 Palaiseau, France

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