The Deposit Protection Service (DPS) has reported that latest data suggests students returned to university in greater numbers this year compared to 2020.

The protector of tenancy deposits said that it registered 25% more student deposits between 1 August and 26 October compared with the same period during 2020.

August 2021 was also the DPS’ busiest month on record for deposit registrations in student areas across England and Wales, with 53% more than in August 2020, 23% higher than in August 2019 and 42% higher than in August 2018.

The DPS also said that August 2021 had been the sixth consecutive month in which deposit registrations in student areas were higher than in the corresponding month in 2020.

Matt Trevett, managing director at the DPS, said: “The DPS registered significantly more deposits in areas of England and Wales with traditionally high student populations in the run up to this autumn term compared to in 2020.

“This suggests that students have grown more confident in signing up to tenancies near their universities compared to last year.

“Last year’s drop in student deposit registrations was clearly linked to the ongoing pandemic and the greater public health restrictions that were in place; with the increase this year following a more extensive roll out of the vaccination programme and a loosening in restrictions that may affect student life, such as travel and meeting in public.”