About the campaign

Campaign highlights

Campaign content has reached over 10 million social media users, generating 36,000 likes, comments and shares. Politicians across the UK have shown their support for the campaign.

1. Campaign launch

Our launch in May 2021 aimed to showcase the key role UK universities are set to play in the economic and social recovery from Covid-19.

We set out how university partnerships can create thousands of jobs, new businesses, and prosperity across the UK over the coming years. Universities renewed their commitment to work closely with a wide range of organisations and seek out new partnerships nationally and locally, to deliver the greatest impact possible.

Alongside our campaign work, we published ‘Universities and the UK’s economic recovery: an analysis of future impact’, a report by the National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education (NCEE).

2. Partnerships between universities and small and medium-sized enterprises

For the next phase in October 2021, we showcased how universities are working closely with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to boost economic growth across the country. We aimed to remind politicians about the importance of universities in building the future workforce, levelling up and enterprise.

We featured success stories and insights on our website and across our social media channels.

Two scientists in white lab coats, one middle aged woman and one young woman, undertaking scientific research

Magnitude Biosciences is a Durham University spin out Contract Research Organisation (CRO) working in ageing, drug discovery, toxicity and microbiome research.

Nick & Kath Whitworth, founders of Celtic & Co, standing outside in winter clothes and smiling at the camera

Celtic & Co, a retailer of ethically sourced, natural and sustainable premium knitwear, footwear, outerwear and homewares, has enjoyed a long-term relationship with the University of Exeter Business School.

Dr Doug Lester, wearing a white lab coat in a lab, holding a Fertility Genomics test

Fertility Genomics is a company based on Abertay University’s world-leading fertility research and provides a new DNA test that can tell whether IVF or ICSI will work for couples struggling to conceive.

The two co-founders of Tarian Drums standing next to their equipment in their workshop and smiling at the camera

The University of South Wales has supported Tarian Drums with academic expertise and collaborative funding to help develop 3D printed Drum moulds that will expedite their business growth and support new market development opportunities.

Sanjay and Shashi, co-founders of Spice Kitchen, cooking together with their products

Sanjay Aggarwal (founder and Chief Spice Officer at Spice Kitchen) attended the University of Liverpool Management School’s eight-month leadership development programme, Growth Catalyst.

Heather Fox sitting in her studio, smiling at the camera

During the pandemic, Heather could no longer welcome students to her jewellery studio, The Fox Studios. Seeking small business support and advice, she joined the University of Chester's Business Growth Programme.

Aerial shot of housing under construction

BBRC Homes received funding from UWE Bristol’s Scale up 4 Growth programme which allowed BBRC Homes to develop healthy, sustainable communities of homes.

Park Street Kitchen employees, wearing face masks and visors, posing with their products in Wellington Market

Park Street Kitchen is a Shropshire-based Caribbean inspired fresh food eatery which benefitted from one-on-one business expertise from the University of Wolverhampton.

3. Shared Prosperity Fund

In March 2022, we launched a phase of campaigning promoting the importance of the Shared Prosperity Fund to universities and their local communities.

We urged the UK Government to bridge the funding gap while it established a replacement by 2025 for the EU Shared Prosperity Fund, which funds local skills and training partnerships.

NTU @TrentUni has been using EU funding to help over 1,200 local businesses, upskill 2,275 individuals and fund placements for almost 466 graduates in local SMEs. 

We’re asking the government to fill the gap before replacement funding starts.

👇 https://t.co/DaDeMJ0Hu8 pic.twitter.com/eGJ1k7ifc5
— Universities UK (@UniversitiesUK) March 23, 2022

4. Graduate skills

In April 2022, we brought back #GettingResults with the launch of a new report: Busting graduate job myths.

Publications

Busting graduate job myths

Our report tackles the misperceptions that there are too many graduates, not enough jobs for them, and that some degrees have little value for employers.

The report tackled common misperceptions that there are too many graduates, not enough jobs for them, and that some degrees have little value for employers.

We found that employer demand for UK graduates is significant, had increased year-on-year, and was likely to grow in the future as the country has a skills shortage.

6. Growth and opportunity

In summer 2022, we promoted the vital role universities have to play in levelling up their local communities. Find out more.

Our universities: generating growth and opportunity

Our universities bring jobs, investment and facilities to our local communities, and will be at the heart of addressing economic and social disparities. But to do more, we need the government to work with universities.

Our October 2022 report, Our universities: generating growth and opportunity, made several recommendations for how universities, governments, and employers could work together to create jobs, innovation, and economic growth to make life better for everyone, especially communities in greatest need.

In March 2023 we followed up on this work with our briefing, University Enterprise Zones: boosting local business, building on our recommendation for the government to establish a UEZ in every university in England.