Higher education in numbers
Last updated on Thursday 16 Mar 2023 at 12:12pm
Key facts and figures about UK higher education.
Higher education institutions
In 2021–22, there were 285 higher education providers in the UK that returned data to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). This webpage includes data from these publicly funded providers and does not include those that return data to the Alternative Provider record. For further information on higher education providers visit HESA's website.
Student numbers
In 2021–22, there were 2,182,560 students studying at UK higher education providers.
- Undergraduate: 1,734,805
- Postgraduate: 444,760
- Full time: 1,630,505
- Part time: 552,060
- Students from the UK: 2,182,560
- Students from the EU: 120,140
- Students from non-EU countries: 559,825
(Source: HESA Student record 2020–21)
Staff numbers
In 2021–22, there were 233,930 staff (excluding atypical staff) employed at UK higher education institutions.
- Staff employed on academic contracts made up 43% of the population
- 16% of academic staff with a known nationality had an EU nationality, while 16% had a non-EU nationality
- 8% of non-academic staff with a known nationality had an EU nationality, while 4% had a non-EU nationality.
(Source: HESA staff record 2020-21)
Student satisfaction
The latest National Student Survey, published in 2022, found that 83% of students were satisfied with the quality of their course.
- 80% of respondents agreed that they were happy with the teaching on their course
- 81% of respondents were happy with their learning resources
- 79% were happy with their learning opportunities.
(Source: 2020 National Student Survey)
Widening participation
In 2021, a record 24% of UK 18-year-olds from low participation neighbourhoods (POLAR4 quintile 1) were accepted to study a full-time undergraduate degree through UCAS, compared to 14.1% in 2012.
The entry rate of state school students in England who, while aged 15, were in receipt of free school meals, has increased from 13.0% in 2012 to 20.9% in 2021.
(Source: UCAS 2021 End of Cycle report)
Applicants and acceptances
767,000 people were accepted through UCAS to start an undergraduate course in the 2022 cycle.
- In 2022, 683,650 people applied through UCAS to an undergraduate course.
(Source: UCAS 2021 End of Cycle report)
Working with business and industry
- In 2020–21, 4528 new graduate start-ups were created.
- 167 new university-owned or part-owned spin-off companies were created.
(Source: HESA Higher Education – Business and Community Interaction (HE-BCI) survey 2020-21)
Income and expenditure
Figures for 2020–21 show that the total income for the sector was £43.9 billion. This was made up from the following sources:
- Tuition fees and education contracts: £23.5 billion
- Funding body grants: £6.0 billion
- Research grants and contracts: £6.5 billion
- Investment income: £0.3 billion
- Donations and endowments: £0.8 billion
- Other income: £6.8 billion
Figures for 2017–18 show that the total operating expenditure by the sector was £42.3 billion.
(Source: HESA Finance Record 2020/21)
Graduate employment
- The survey of 2019/20 graduates revealed that 80% of respondents were in employment or unpaid work, including 10% who were engaged in both employment and further study.
- In 2021, the median, English domiciled graduate salary was £10,000 more than the median non-graduate salary. (Source: DfE Graduate labour market statistics: 2021)
Economic impact
In 2018–19, universities across the UK generated £95 billion in gross output for the economy.
- The UK university sector contributed £52 billion to GDP
- The sector also supported more than 815,000 jobs across England.
(Source: Frontier Economics (2021) The economic contribution of the higher education sector in England)
Research
The 2022 Research Excellent Framework rated 41% of the research submitted as 'world leading' and 47% as 'internationally excellent'. (Source: Research Excellent Framework (REF) 2021)