The economic impact of universities in 2014–15

Report

16 October 2017

Economic impact

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The higher education sector is vital to the UK economy. In 2014–15 it supported almost one million jobs, and contributed £21.5 billion to UK gross domestic product.

This report investigates the economic contribution that universities make annually to the UK economy through generating GDP, jobs and taxes, and their longer-term impact on the UK.

The research – carried out for Universities UK by Oxford Economics – also quantifies future economic benefits by estimating the long-term impact of the research, development, and skills generated in UK universities in the academic year 2014–15.

Read a summary of the research, or watch the above video, narrated by Universities UK President Professor Janet Beer.

The economic impact of universities in 2014–15

Report

16 October 2017

Economic impact

An investigation into the economic contribution that universities make annually to the UK economy through generating GDP, jobs and taxes, and their longer-term impact on the UK.

The economic impact of international students

Briefing

6 March 2017

Economic impact Immigration Parliament and government

This briefing outlines new figures for 2014–15 on the economic impact of international students studying in the UK, including the jobs generated at a regional level and the income they provide local businesses.

Economic impact on the UK of EU research funding to UK universities

Report

10 June 2016

Economic impact Research policy

EU research funding generates more than 19,000 jobs across the UK, £1.86 billion for the UK economy and contributes more than £1 billion to GDP, according to this report produced for Universities UK by Viewforth Consulting.

Download the full report

Infographics to download and share

Report summary

The economic impact of universities in 2014–15: report summary (PDF)

News

Increasing impact of world-leading university sector on jobs and growth should not be ‘taken for granted’, warn university leaders

16 October 2017

According to the latest study on the impact of the higher education sector on the economy – produced for UUK by Oxford Economics – universities now generate a knock-on impact of nearly £100bn (£95bn) for the UK economy and support more than 940,000 jobs

Response to HESA 2015–16 student data

12 January 2017

Universities UK has responded to the latest data on students from HESA

Blog

Addressing the university pension fund deficit

2 August 2017

Following the news coverage on the USS pensions fund deficit, Professor Koen Lamberts discusses the challenges facing the scheme.

What the British public really think about international students

13 April 2017

Karmjit Kaur, Head of Political Affairs at Universities UK, discusses the British public's perception of international students as an asset to the UK, and explains why international students should not be included in a net migration target.