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Higher education research in facts and figures

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An overview of the quality of research, impact, collaboration, students, staff and finance at UK universities.​

​Higher education research in facts and figuresHighlights include:

                        • 76% of research at higher education institutions was considered as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ for its overall quality in 2014
                        • UK higher education institutions received £4.2 billion from knowledge exchange activities in 2015−16
                        • More than half of UK research is produced through international collaborations
                        • UK government spending on  research and development is  below the OECD average as a proportion of GDP
                        • 43% of postgraduate research students and 29% of academic staff were from overseas
                        • Research performed by UK universities in 2014−15 equates to an increase of £28.9 billion in gross value added


News

UUK response to latest UCAS data on applicant offers and student deferrals

25 June 2020
UUK has responded to the latest UCAS (18 June) data which details the number of applicants with a firm offer to start university this autumn and the latest on student deferrals.

​Time is running out to save Erasmus+: Losing study abroad scheme would blow a hole in UK economic prospects

9 March 2020
More than 17,000 UK university students are hoping that the UK Government can negotiate continued involvement in Erasmus+ in its trade discussions with the European Union so they can develop important and necessary skills overseas next year.

Blog

A-level results day and Clearing 2019: reasons to be cheerful

12 August 2019
As A-level results day approaches, UUK’s Daniel Wake looks at recent trends in university admissions, and provides some final information to applicants, who for the first time can choose to put themselves into ‘Clearing’.