HIGHER EDUCATION IN
FACTS AND FIGURES
2016
2
HIGHLIGHTS
Facts and figures 2016
22% of 18-year-olds from
the areas of lowest higher
education participation in
England have applied to
university in 2016 as compared
to 12% ten years ago.
In 2014–15, £1.25 billion
worth of income for
institutions came
from collaborative research.
13% of undergraduate students,
38% of postgraduate students
and 28% of academic staff are
from outside the UK.
16% of research and
development funding received
by UK universities in 2014–15
came from overseas sources
– the majority (£0.8 billion)
from within the EU.
In 2015, the unemployment
rate of graduates was
half that of non-graduates
(3.1% versus 6.4%).
For further information:
Tel: +44 (0)20 7419 4111
Visit: www.universitiesuk.ac.uk
Email: [email protected]
STUDENTS
18-year-old application rates to full-time first
degree study in the UK, 2006 to 2016 Application rates to full-time first degree
study for the most disadvantaged 18-year-olds,
2006 to 2016 5
6
7
Full-time and part-time higher education
students by level of study at UK higher
education providers, 2014–15 8
Higher education students by domicile
and level of study, 2014–15 9
Students by subject area at UK higher
education providers, 2014–15 10
Income from non-EU domiciled students
and non-EU domiciled student numbers,
2003–04 to 2014–15 14
National Student Survey, 2008 to 2016 15
Qualifications awarded at UK higher
education providers, 2014–15 16
Destinations of leavers by level of
qualification, 2014–15 17
Unemployment rates and median salaries
in the UK by group (2015) 18
STAFF
Staff by nationality and contract level,
2014–15 19
Qualifications obtained by subject area, 2014–15 11
Academic staff in UK higher education
providers by nationality and sex, 2014–15 20
Home country of international students
at UK higher education providers, 2014–15 Staff salaries at UK higher education
providers, 2014–15 21
12
Home country of European Economic Area students
at UK higher education providers, 2014–15 13
Facts and figures 2016
Students at higher education providers
in the UK by country of provider, 2013–14
to 2014–15 3
4
FINANCE
ANNEXE
Facts and figures 2016
Public expenditure on higher education as a
percentage of GDP (2012)
22
Income and size of UK higher education
providers, 2013–14 and 2014–15 23
Income and expenditure of UK higher
education providers, 2014–15 24
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
Knowledge exchange income by type of
activity for higher education providers,
2005–06 to 2014–15 25
Research and development funding received
by UK higher education providers, 2014–15 26
Government-financed gross domestic
expenditure on research and development
as a proportion of GDP, 2007 to 2014 27
Glossary 28
Sources 30
STUDENTS AT HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS IN THE UK
BY COUNTRY OF PROVIDER, 2013–14 TO 2014–15
Scotland
232,570 TOTAL
+2.4% FULL-TIME
-3.8% PART-TIME
19 PROVIDERS
0.8%
Northern Ireland
Students
In 2014 there was a continuing decrease
in part-time students in all four UK nations,
while there were small decreases in numbers
of full-time students at English and
Welsh providers.
5
0.1%
England
56,445 TOTAL
+2.1% FULL-TIME
-3.8% PART-TIME
5 PROVIDERS
-1.6%
Wales
132,965 TOTAL
-2.3% FULL-TIME
-4.6% PART-TIME
10 PROVIDERS
-3.0%
1,844,095 TOTAL
-0.1% FULL-TIME
-6.1% PART-TIME
131 PROVIDERS
18-YEAR-OLD APPLICATION RATES TO FULL-TIME
FIRST DEGREE STUDY IN THE UK, 2006 TO 2016
Students
18-year-olds in all UK nations are more likely
than ever to apply to university.
50
48%
45
Application rate (%)
6
40
37%
35
33%
30
32%
25
20
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Year
England
Northern Ireland
Wales
Scotland
2014
2015
2016
APPLICATION RATES TO FULL-TIME FIRST DEGREE STUDY FOR
THE MOST DISADVANTAGED 18-YEAR-OLDS, 2006 TO 2016
7
England
Northern Ireland
Wales
Scotland
POLAR3 method is used for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, while SIMD is used for
Scotland. Therefore, they are not directly comparable. Application rates reported for Scotland
are lower, as a substantial section of Scottish providers do not use UCAS.
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
5
0
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
5
2009
10
10
2008
20%
15
2007
20
16%
15
2006
22%
Application rate (%)
25
0
20
24%
2006
Application rate (%)
30
Students
18-year-olds from the areas of lowest higher education
participation from England, Wales and Scotland have never
been more likely to apply to university.
8
FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS BY LEVEL
OF STUDY AT UK HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS, 2014–15
Students
Part-time students make up about a quarter of all
postgraduate research students, a fifth of all undergraduate
students, and half of all postgraduate taught students.
Undergraduate
1,727,895
Postgraduate
taught
425,270
Postgraduate
research
112,910
Total
2,266,075
25.1%
19.5%
47.9%
25.9%
74.1%
52.1%
74.9%
80.5%
Full-time
Part-time
HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS BY DOMICILE
AND LEVEL OF STUDY, 2014–15
9
1,495,750
153,745
Undergraduate
78,345
269,070
124,610
Postgraduate taught
64,375
33,655
31,360
Postgraduate research
14,870
0
500,000
UK
EU
Non-EU
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
Students
13% of undergraduate students and 38% of postgraduate
students are from outside the UK.
STUDENTS BY SUBJECT AREA AT UK HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS, 2014–15
350,000
300,000
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
y
ne
M
as
d
y
su
s
co
bj
ec
m
m
un ts
ic
at
io
Ar
n
ch
Ag
ite
ric
ct
M
ul
u
re
at
tu
he
re
m
&
at
ve
t s ics
ci
en
ce
s
bi
Co
in
ic
ed
m
e
&
de
nt
is
tr
or
w
Hi
g
M
Undergraduate male
st
La
s
tin
pu
m
Co
s
ce
ls
ci
en
g
ge
ua
ng
Ph
ys
La
ic
a
n
io
En
g
in
ee
rin
n
at
si
g
uc
de
Ed
an
d
s
ce
st
u
al
Ar
ts
ci
Undergraduate female
di
es
ts
ic
og
Bi
ol
So
al
sc
ie
n
ec
bj
su
d
al
lie
Bu
si
ne
ss
0
lth
Students
The most popular subjects for male undergraduate students are business,
engineering and biological sciences, and for female undergraduate students are
health allied subjects, business and biological sciences.
He
a
10
Postgraduate female
Postgraduate male
QUALIFICATIONS OBTAINED BY SUBJECT AREA, 2014–15
11
Students
In 2014–15, the subject areas where a high percentage of postgraduate
qualifications were obtained include education (57%), business (47%),
medicine and dentistry (45%), and architecture (43%).
Business & administrative studies
Subjects allied to medicine
Education
Social studies
Biological sciences
Creative arts & design
Engineering & technology
Languages
Law
Physical sciences
Computer sciences
Historical & philosophical studies
Medicine & dentistry
Mass communications & documentation
Architecture, building & planning
Mathematical sciences
Agriculture & related subjects
Veterinary sciences
0%
First degree
10%
20%
30%
40%
Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
Other undergraduate qualifications (incl HND)
Other postgraduate qualifications
50%
60%
Foundation degree
Postgraduate Certificate in Education
Other higher degree
Doctorate
70%
80%
90%
100%
12
HOME COUNTRY OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
AT UK HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS, 2014–15
Students
Students from Europe accounted for 33% of all international students, while 20.5%
were from China and 4.2% from India. Between 2013–14 and 2014–15 there was a
decrease in the number of students from India by 7.2%, and an increase from South
America by 12.9%.
North America
1.0%
27,610
EU
-0.6%
124,575
6.3%
4.5%
4.6%
28.5%
South America
12.9%
5,995
19.3%
6.5%
8.0%
up to 1%
1–5%
5–10%
10–20%
20–30%
1.4%
Legend
% of total non-UK domiciled students at UK HEPs
% change from last year
Total students 2014–15
Other Europe
2.0%
19,920
Africa
-0.1%
35,070
Rest of
Asia
-0.5%
84,460
20.5%
4.2%
Middle
East
3.7%
28,525
0.6%
India
-7.2%
18,320
China
1.9%
89,540
Australasia
-0.6%
2,565
HOME COUNTRY OF EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (EEA)
STUDENTS AT UK HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS, 2014–15
13
Country
2014–15
% change from
2013–14 to 2014–15
Country
2014–15
% change from
2013–14 to 2014–15
Germany
13,675
France
11,955
-2.7%
Portugal
2,730
7.9%
4.0%
Finland
1,895
Ireland
0.5%
10,905
-5.1%
Austria
1,880
5.3%
Italy
10,525
10.2%
Hungary
1,685
15.0%
Greece
10,130
-5.1%
Latvia
1,530
-16.8%
Cyprus (EU)
9,745
-5.3%
Slovakia
1,415
0.7%
Spain
7,040
6.9%
Czech Republic
1,405
6.8%
Romania
6,590
1.2%
Denmark
1,360
-4.6%
Bulgaria
6,255
-1.6%
Luxembourg
1,100
2.8%
Norway
5,475
4.9%
Estonia
1,075
-8.5%
Poland
5,245
0.9%
Malta
895
-8.7%
Lithuania
4,340
-10.8%
Slovenia
370
2.8%
Netherlands
3,390
1.5%
Croatia
355
39.2%
Switzerland
3,190
2.9%
Iceland
225
7.1%
Sweden
3,095
-4.2%
Liechtenstein
20
33.3%
Belgium
2,925
0.9%
Students
In 2014–15 there were 133,485 students from the EEA studying in
UK universities, equating to 5.9% of the entire student body.
INCOME FROM NON-EU DOMICILED STUDENTS AND NON-EU DOMICILED
STUDENT NUMBERS, 2003–04 TO 2014–15
350,000
5.0
4.5
300,000
4.0
250,000
3.5
3.0
200,000
2.5
150,000
2.0
1.5
100,000
1.0
50,000
0.5
0
08
7–
00
2
09
20
–
08
20
11
10
–
09
0–
01
2
12
1–
01
2
14
13
–
12
20
2
3–
01
15
2
Year
Real tuition fee income from non-EU students (£bn)
Note: Base year 2014–15 prices.
4–
01
Total non-EU domiciled students
0
Total non-EU domiciled students
Students
Higher education providers received £4.2 billion in tuition fees
from 312,000 registered international students in 2014–15.
Real tuition fee income from non-EU students (£bn)
14
NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY, 2008 TO 2016
15
Students
Overall student satisfaction at UK providers has remained at a record level of 86%
since 2014, an increase of four percentage points compared to 2008. In 2016,
satisfaction with teaching on the course was 87%, assessment and feedback 74%,
and academic support 82%. Satisfaction with academic support has increased
by eight percentage points since 2008.
Level of satisfaction (%)
90
85
80
75
70
65
60
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
The teaching on my course
Overall satisfaction
Academic support
Assessment and feedback
2013
2014
2015
Learning resources
2016
16
QUALIFICATIONS AWARDED AT UK HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS, 2014–15
Students
53% of all qualifications awarded in 2014–15 were for undergraduate
first degrees, 12% were for other types of undergraduate degrees, and
35% were for postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate
Mode
of study
Postgraduate
First degree
Other
undergraduate
Foundation
degree
Postgraduate
taught
PGCE
Postgraduate
research
20,255
22,015
1,055
4,625
Full-time
38,910
10,365
143,495
358,355
Part-time
6,515
37,225
32,040
Total
395,580
70,950
16,875
213,650
21,310
26,640
% of
total
53.1%
9.5%
2.3%
28.7%
2.9%
3.6%
70,155
DESTINATIONS OF LEAVERS BY LEVEL OF QUALIFICATION, 2014–15
17
81.6%
4.3% 6.2% 3.6% 4.3%
Postgraduate
70.3%
5.1% 14.0%
4.9% 5.7%
First degree
56.3%
12.9%
22.7%
4.2% 3.9%
Other
undergraduate
0
40
20
Work
Work and study
Study
Other
60
80
Unemployed and looking for work
100
Students
Six months after graduation, 92% of postgraduates and
other undergraduates, and 89% of first degree students were
working or pursuing further study.
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES AND MEDIAN SALARIES
IN THE UK BY GROUP (2015)
40,000
20%
18%
35,000
16%
30,000
14%
25,000
12%
20,000
10%
8%
15,000
6%
10,000
4%
5,000
2%
0%
0
Postgraduate
Graduate
Non-graduate
Young unemployment rate (21–30 year olds)
Unemployment rate (16–64 year olds)
Young median salary (21–30 year olds)
Median salary (16–64 year olds)
Median salary (£)
Students
In 2015, the unemployment rate of graduates was half that of
non-graduates. The median salary for graduates was a third
higher than for non-graduates among those aged 21–30, and
43% higher for those aged 16–64.
Unemployment rates (%)
18
STAFF BY NATIONALITY AND CONTRACT LEVEL, 2014–15
19
EU and international staff make up 7% of senior management,
and 25% of senior lecturers, professionals and researchers.
13.6%
12.1%
80%
10.1%
8.4%
70%
76.3%
90%
5.6%
90.9%
8.1%
6.1%
85.8%
3.5%
79.5%
4.1%
10.7%
92.9%
7.1%
82.1%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
t
em
en
so
rs
ag
an
m
io
r
Se
n
Ta
sk
Pr
of
es
pr
ov
id
er
s
f
st
af
Ad
m
in
ad
le
m
Te
a
Se
ni
or
l
ec
t
ur
er
er
s
s
0%
UK
Other non-European Union countries
Staff
100%
EEA
Note: Each column contains a number of job titles, which can be found in the online version of this publication.
3.0%
20
ACADEMIC STAFF IN UK HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS
BY NATIONALITY AND SEX, 2014–15
Staff
16% of academic staff at UK higher education providers are
from EU countries, while 12% are from non-EU countries,
and 72% are from the UK.
7%
5%
9%
32%
Female UK staff
Male UK staff
8%
Female EU staff
Male EU staff
Female non-EU staff
Male non-EU staff
39%
STAFF SALARIES AT UK HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS, 2014–15
21
60,000
Staff
54% of the total higher education workforce is female, and accounts for two thirds
of those earning under £24,057 per annum. In contrast, men make up 46% of
the total higher education workforce and account for 70% of those earning over
£58,172 per annum.
Percentage of employees
from total
50,000
19%
22%
30,000
20,000
10,000
27%
to
+
,1
72
3,
3
25
£5
8
£5
8,
17
2
,3
25
32%
£4
77
to
£4
3
,2
77
Male non-academic
£3
2,
2
£2
4,
0
57
to
£3
2
,0
57
£2
4
to
£1
8,
03
1
to
£1
8
,0
31
0
Up
Staff
40,000
Male academic
Female non-academic
Female academic
22
PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AS A PERCENTAGE OF GDP (2012)
Finance
In 2012 the UK’s public spending on higher education was 1.2% of total GDP –
a lower proportion than many competitor countries including the United States,
Canada, Finland, France and Germany.
Country
Total expenditure in %
Country
Total expenditure in %
Finland
1.78
1.74
1.58
1.51
1.47
1.41
1.41
1.40
1.37
1.26
1.24
1.22
1.22
1.21
1.21
1.20
1.20
1.18
1.06
Chile
1.04
1.03
1.03
1.01
0.97
0.96
0.93
0.93
0.93
0.92
0.89
0.88
0.84
0.80
0.80
0.67
0.55
0.53
0.45
Austria
Norway
Sweden
Canada
United States
Estonia
Belgium
Netherlands
France
Switzerland
Germany
Slovenia
Turkey
New Zealand
Czech Republic
United Kingdom
Poland
Iceland
Latvia
Ireland
Spain
Mexico
Slovak Republic
Portugal
Brazil
Colombia
Israel
Russian Federation
Australia
Korea
Italy
Hungary
South Africa
Indonesia
Japan
Luxembourg
INCOME AND SIZE OF UK HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS, 2013–14 AND 2014–15
23
Less than £10m
Less than 1,000
£10–20m
1,000 to 5,000
5,000 to 10,000
Number of students
£20–50m
Income (£)
Finance
One third of all UK higher education providers have
an annual income of up to £100m, and two thirds
of providers have an annual income above £100m.
£50–100m
£100–200m
£200–500m
10,000 to 15,000
15,000 to 20,000
20,000 to 25,000
25,000 to 30,000
£500–1000m
30,000 to 50,000
More than £1bn
50,000 to 200,000
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
0
10
20
30
40
Total income 2013–14
Number of students 2013–14
Total income 2014–15
Number of students 2014–15
24
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS, 2014–15
Finance
In total, tuition fees made up 44% of provider income.
Within that 44%, the highest proportion came from full-time
UK and EU students.
Total income £33.2 billion
Total expenditure £31.2 billion
10%
6%
1%
21%
1%
38%
55%
8%
44%
16%
Teaching – UK government
Teaching – fees
Staff costs
Other operating expenses
Research – UK government
Research – other
Depreciation
Endowment
Other income
Interest and other
finance costs
KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE INCOME BY TYPE OF ACTIVITY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
PROVIDERS, 2005–06 TO 2014–15
Research and innovation
In 2014–15, income from collaborative research accounted
for 30% of the sources of income shown below.
1,400,000
1,200,000
Income (₤)
1,000,000
800,000
600,000
400,000
200,000
0
2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11
25
2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15
Income from collaborative research
Contract research
Courses for businesses and the community
Facilities and equipment related services
Intellectual property revenues
Regeneration and development programmes
Consultancy contracts
26
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUNDING RECEIVED
BY UK HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS, 2014–15
Research and innovation
16% of research and development funding received by UK
providers came from overseas sources – the majority (68%)
from within the EU.
5%
11%
13%
4%
1%
66%
Research
funding from
EU sources
increased by
Research
funding from
non-EU sources
increased by
from 2013–14.
in the same period.
5.9%
3.6%
UK government*
EU sources
UK business
Non-EU sources
UK charities
Other sources
*Note: UK government includes RDEC funding, a one-off funding amount, which therefore increases research and total
income for 2014–15 only. For more information please see the glossary and online version of this publication.
GOVERNMENT-FINANCED GROSS DOMESTIC EXPENDITURE ON RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT AS A PROPORTION OF GDP, 2007 TO 2014
27
Research and innovation
UK government spending on research and development is
consistently below the OECD average as a proportion of GDP.
1.0%
Govt-financed GERD as % of GDP
0.9%
0.8%
0.7%
0.6%
0.5%
0.4%
0.3%
0.2%
0.1%
0%
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Year
United Kingdom
EU28
United States
Germany
France
OECD
Japan
Canada
Italy
China
28
GLOSSARY
Annexe
Application rate
The number of applicants divided by the estimated
base population.
DLHE
The Destinations of Leavers from Higher
Education (DLHE) survey asks leavers from
higher education what they are doing six months
after graduation. About three quarters of leavers
complete the survey.
Domicile
A student’s permanent country of residence.
EEA
The European Economic Area (EEA) is the 28 EU
countries plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Entry rate
The number of acceptances for entry to start
higher education divided by the estimated
base population.
First degree
A three- or four-year undergraduate higher
education course taken after finishing further
education, generally resulting in a bachelor’s degree.
GDP
Gross domestic product: monetary measure of
the value of all final goods and services produced
in a period.
GERD
Gross Domestic Expenditure on Research and
Development (GERD) is the total spending on
research and development performed within
a country during a given period.
HE-BCI
Higher Education-Business and Community
Interaction Survey.
HEFCE
The Higher Education Funding Council for
England funds and regulates universities and
colleges in England.
29
HESA
Higher Education Statistics Agency
POLAR3
Participation of Local Areas (POLAR) is a widening
participation measure which classifies local areas
or ‘wards’ into five groups, based on the proportion
of 18-year-olds who enter higher education aged 18
or 19 years old. These groups range from quintile
1 areas, with the lowest young participation (most
disadvantaged), up to quintile 5 areas with the
highest rates (most advantaged).
Mode of study
Whether a student studies full or part-time.
RDEC
Research and Development Expenditure Credit
NSS
National Student Survey
SIMD
Scottish index of multiple deprivation. SIMD ranks
small geographical areas in Scotland by their relative
level of deprivation across a range of measures. Data
used in this publication refers to 18-year-olds from
the most disadvantaged SIMD quintile.
OECD
Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development
Other undergraduate
Undergraduate degrees which are not first
degrees, including foundation degrees and Higher
National Diplomas.
Annexe
HEP
Higher education provider. This publication covers
organisations that deliver higher education and
receive government funding, plus The University of
Buckingham. It excludes alternative providers and
further education colleges.
30
SOURCES
P.5
HESA Student Record [2014–15]*
p.21 HESA Staff Record [2014–15]*
Annexe
P.6 UCAS, 2016
p.22 OECD Education at a Glance (2015)
P.7
P.8 HESA Student Record [2014–15]*
p.23 HESA Finance Record and Student Record
[multiple years]
P.9 HESA Student Record [2014–15]*
p.24 HESA Finance Record [2014–15]*
P.10 HESA Student Record [2014–15]*
p.25 HESA HE-BCI Record [2014–15]*
P.11 HESA Student Record [2014–15]*
p.26 HESA Finance Record [2014–15]*
P.12 HESA Student Record [2014–15]*
p.27 OECD (2016) Main Science and
Technology Indicators
*Copyright Higher Education Statistics
Agency Limited
UCAS, 2016
P.13 HESA Student Record [2014-15]*
P.14 HESA Finance and Student Record
(multiple years) and BIS GDP deflators
series, 2016
P.15 National Student Survey (NSS), 2016
P.16 HESA (2016) Statistical First Release 224
P.17 HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher
Education (DLHE) [2014–15]*
P.18 BIS (2016) Graduate Labour Statistics
P.19 HESA Staff Record [2014–15]*
P.20 HESA Staff Record [2014–15]*
All data and further information on sources
can be found on our website:
www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/facts-and-figures
Neither the Higher Education Statistics Agency
Limited nor HESA Services Limited can accept
responsibility for any inferences or conclusions
derived by third parties from data or other
information obtained from Heidi Plus.
UNIVERSITIES UK
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Founded in 1918, our mission is to be the
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members to promote a successful and diverse
higher education sector. With 135 members
and offices in London, Cardiff (Universities
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we promote the strength and success of UK
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ISBN 978-1-84036-364-7
August 2016