The deal will see the student residences specialist build and operate accommodation across the Highlands and Islands.

Work is due to start in the next week on a 40 bed residence in Fort William near West Highland College UHI and a 150 bed facility near Inverness College UHI on the new Inverness Campus. Both projects, valued at £10m in total, are due to be completed in time for new students arriving in September 2016.

A second phase, valued at £34m, will see Cityheart seeking additional suitable development sites throughout the university’s area with a view to providing a further 470 student beds by September 2017.

“This is fantastic news for our current and future students across the Highlands and Islands area,” said principal and vice-chancellor, Professor Clive Mulholland.

“Cityheart has a great track record of developing and managing student residences across the UK and we are pleased to have them working with us on the first of a number of projects across our region.

“Our students are at the heart of everything we do and we are measured by their success. The provision of suitable accommodation is important in delivering a university with more satisfied and higher attaining students.”

Mark McNamee, managing director at Cityheart, said: “To be working with a new university and to help it achieve its goals and objectives through adding superb accommodation and facilities for their students, is exciting beyond words. We look forward to providing a seamless service to the university and the colleges and research institutions which make up its partnership over the coming years.”