Regional student housing is the best property sector in the UK to invest in.
This is according to the latest survey from Knight Frank, which revealed that the sector outperformed all other property asset classes in the year to December 2010.
Indeed, total returns equally 14.65 per cent, compared to London's 8.41 per cent.
Average rents actually fell in London by 3.61 per cent, while those in regional cities rose by 4.1 per cent.
Kingston, Brighton, Edinburgh and Durham were among the top areas to invest in rental property.
James Pullan, head of student property at Knight Frank, commented: "There have been record applications for university places this year. Once again students will find there is an undersupply of student accommodation to meet their needs.
"The student accommodation sector is now recognised as forming a critical component of a balanced investment portfolio."
He added that London is probably in need of a further 100,000 student bedrooms.