University boosts UK economy by £358m 

University College Birmingham contributes £358 million to the UK economy, according to new research, with around two thirds of the identifiable impact benefitting the West Midlands region.  

Analysts at London Economics estimated that £88 million of the institution’s economic impact that can be directly linked to a region occurs in the West Midlands. 

Crucially, however, the independent research also found that the University’s £221 million of UK-wide impact from teaching and learning activities is also heavily concentrated in the West Midlands region.

And that for every £1 spent, the University generates £6.70 of economic impact across the UK – an extremely high benefit to cost impact when compared across the sector. 

Professor Michael Harkin, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at University College Birmingham, said: “We impact far beyond the success of our students, contributing £358 million to the UK economy, with around 65 per cent of identifiable regional impact in the West Midlands, reflecting our integration into the local community and the fact that most students remain in the region post-graduation. 

"Universities must continue to play their part in the infrastructure that maintains the West Midlands’ status as the economic engine of the UK. 

“We will pro-actively work with the West Midlands Combined Authority, the City of Birmingham, local businesses, community stakeholders and other regional partners, and continue to strengthen our partnership with the University of Warwick, ensuring we continue to grow our contribution to our region." 

Analysis in the report estimates that £48 million of identifiable regional impact is accrued across other regions and sectors of the UK economy from the University’s activities, which includes impact from international students, estimated at £14 million. 

In terms of jobs, the University supports 1,275 jobs across the UK, with 925 jobs in the West Midlands. 

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “We all know that our world-class universities are a critical part of the West Midlands’ economy, and so it’s brilliant to see this new data for University College Birmingham confirming that.

“The University is a key educator and employer, and I look forward to continuing to work with them as they grow their curriculum and widen their opportunities to support our regional Plan for Growth.”