Unite Secures Northumbria

Unite Group PLC
4 June 2001

Date:                           4 June 2001

Embargoed until:       0700hrs


UNIVERSITY OF NORTHUMBRIA GIVES UNITE GO-AHEAD

TO DEVELOP AND MANAGE NEW STUDENT ACCOMMODATION


Work on the development on a new residence for 345 students at the University
of Northumbria will start in June 2001. This follows the seal of approval by
Northumbria's Board of Governors at their meeting last week.


The project will be undertaken by UNITE, the UK's leading specialist provider
of student accommodation services and it will be completed in time for the
2002 intake of students.


The new accommodation will be the first of its kind within the University to
offer en-suite facilities in all study rooms. Further facilities include
telephone and Internet access points in all rooms, fully fitted kitchens and
state-of-the art 24-hr security systems. The majority of residents will be
first year students from the UK and overseas, although there will be some
older students.


The scheme, comprising cluster flats of 4 and 5 beds will help to fill the gap
in affordable en-suite accommodation. Once the scheme has been completed,
UNITE will also manage the accommodation on behalf of the University.


Nicholas Porter, Chief Executive at UNITE comments: 'Nowadays students must
invest more in their higher education and in turn demand higher standards of
living accommodation.  Our aim at Northumbria is to provide students with a
comfortable and quality location for their studies. For example, we operate a
24 hour customer service centre, and security monitoring station to provide
support and pastoral care for the residents.'


                                  - ends  -


For more information, contact:

Nicholas Porter, Chief Executive

UNITE                                           Tel : [phone]


Emma Kane                                       Tel:  [phone]

Redleaf Communications                          07768 012924

About UNITE

*     UNITE was founded in 1991 by Nicholas Porter.

*     UNITE is fully listed on the London Stock Exchange and is currently       
      capitalised at  171 million (21/05/01)

*     UNITE is the UK's leading specialist provider of accommodation services   
      for students and key workers.

*     Further information is available at the Company's website at www.unite-   
      group.co.uk

*     www.bunk.com is a comprehensive, on-line accommodation service for        
      university students launched by UNITE in September 2000.


Extracts from Recent Research


As the UK's leading specialist provider of student and key worker
accommodation, UNITE is committed to maximising its understanding of all
markets it operates in.  UNITE's recent Student Living Report, conducted by
MORI, revealed that:


Type Of Degree Studied

*                     54% of students in the North of the UK believe they
will come away with a First or 2.1.  Students in the South and Wales are least
optimistic about getting a good degree with 37% of students studying in the
South think they will get a First or a 2:1 and, in Wales, only 14% are
optimistic about getting a First or a 2:1.


Finances

*                     More students studying in the North and Northern
Ireland owe money (29%) than their counterparts in Scotland (12%) and Wales
(9%).  20% of students owe money in the South.


Crime

*                     Students in the North/Northern Ireland are the most
concerned about their personal safety.  Those in Scotland and Wales feel the
safest from the threat of crime against the person.



Technical Note:

MORI conducted 1,103 face-to-face interviews with full-time undergraduate and
postgraduate students between 15th October and 23rd November 2000.