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Who do universities benefit?
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How do universities grow the economy?
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Impact of universities: in numbers
Our universities are a national asset. They give opportunities, grow the economy, solve global challenges, and equip graduates with skills for the future.
We’ve set out the most compelling evidence behind the impact of universities.

Key evidence
£130 billion
Higher education makes a £130 billion contribution to the UK economy
£15 billion
The spending of international students contributes £15 billion to the UK economy
768,000
Universities support more than 768,000 jobs
3x
Graduates are around 3 times more likely to reach the top 20% of earnings (an annual income of at least £33,500 in 2018 prices) at age 30 than non-graduates
11 million
extra graduates will be needed to fill jobs in the UK by 2035
88%
of new jobs by 2035 will be at graduate level
463k
Between 2021-2026, universities will train 191,000 nurses, 84,000 medical specialists, and 188,000 teachers (463k public service workers)
£1.96–£2.34
Every £1 of public R&D spending stimulates between £1.96 and £2.34 of private spending