Processes of destudentification and studentification in Loughborough

This thesis presents the first empirical findings of processes of destudentification, using the case study of the university town of Loughborough, UK. Within the context of recent profound changes to higher education, studenthood and local housing markets, the study is timely since understandings of the processes of destudentification and population restructuring remain underdeveloped (Sage et al. 2012a: 600). The thesis advances knowledge of student geographies in several ways. First, the thesis establishes a definition of the concept of destudentification, which encapsulates the complexities and diversities of the processes at local neighbourhood scales. Second, the discussion considers the overlaps between studentification and destudentification from a conceptual perspective. It is contended that although studentification (as a concrete outcome) is a necessary prerequisite for destudentification, destudentification is not an inevitable outcome of studentification. It is argued that both are distinct, yet interrelated, processes of urban change. Third, the empirical findings show that processes of destudentification and studentification can unfold in concurrent ways, and within and between different areas of a university town. Fourth, the discussion exposes some of the leading causes of destudentification and studentification, emphasising the complex interrelationships between the balance of supply and demand of student accommodation, and the ways that higher education institutions, accommodation providers and the student population mediate and influence the dynamic production and consumption of student housing. It is concluded that an understanding of the complex and diverse relationships between geographies of destudentification and studentification is essential for progressing knowledge of processes of urban change in university towns and cities.