This is the fourth study of the impact of the higher education sector on the UK economy which has been published by Universities UK. It updates earlier studies published from 1997.

Since the first report appeared the economic importance of higher education has been much more widely recognised and its contribution to national and regional economic development is an important influence on policymaking. Higher education is seen in the UK as being of key importance in the creation and transfer of knowledge to the economy through its teaching, research and other activities.