UWE Bristol contributes more than £1bn to UK economy, report finds

The largest university in south-west England also supports thousands of jobs across the country

The University of the West of England has created an ecosystem that has contributed more than £1bn to the UK economy, according to a new report. The largest university in the South West of England also generated an estimated £547m for the local economy and supported nearly 9,000 jobs in the West Country over the period of an academic year.

The research by Oxford Economics found the institution, whose alumni include television presenter Bear Grylls and comedian Russell Howard, supported some 15,000 jobs across Britain and £242m in tax revenues in 2023-2024.

The study, as well as quantifying the university’s economic footprint, also analysed its contribution to innovation, research and development, and its societal impact.

Over a quarter of the graduates who found employment in the UK in 2023 took on roles such as paramedics, care workers, social workers and nurses, the research found.

The second-largest cohort of UWE Bristol graduates in that year went on to work in the professional, scientific and technical services sector – an increasingly important part of the West of England economy and one of the fastest-growing sectors nationally.

It is estimated that UWE Bristol’s research and development in the academic year 2023-2024 will generate a productivity benefit equivalent to £5.2m across the UK by 2040. This is supported by its University Enterprise Zone (UEZ), which provides innovative tech start-ups and businesses with space and facilities.

Facilities at the UEZ include the innovation centre and Future Space, which offers high-spec labs, private offices, and technical workshops.

Professor Sir Steve West, vice-chancellor, president and chief executive of UWE Bristol, said the report “cements UWE Bristol’s position as an important anchor institution”.

“The research by Oxford Economics has shown not only the sizable contribution UWE Bristol’s staff and students make to the local and national economy, but also the breadth of our societal impact too,” he said.

“At the heart of this is our students, who bring vital skills to the region for local employers, particularly those in health and social care.

“Our enterprise ethos, embedded across programmes and our campuses, is supporting regional productivity by nurturing start-ups and spin-outs at Future Space, alongside world class research collaborations.”

Since 2018, UWE has also contributed to more than 400 new jobs through its Scale up 4 Growth (S4G) partnership with NatWest. S4G is a grant-funding programme offering £400,000 of grant funding, as well as practical support, to help small and medium‑sized enterprises in the region to grow.