Our economic impact

The University of Sussex contributes £495 million each year to the UK economy and supports over 7,800 jobs, as outlined in our latest Economic Impact Report.

University of Sussex boosts UK economy by almost half a billion each year

  • Video transcript

    [INTRO MUSIC: Upbeat quirky pop]

    [Animated collage University of Sussex campus aerial view]

    Voice over: The University of Sussex contributes nearly half a billion pounds each year to the UK economy,

    (Text shows £495 million)

    Voice over: We support over 7,800 jobs across the UK….

    [Funfair bells ring as a hammer hits the target on a strength tester game]

    Voice over: 7,250 of these jobs are within the local region.

    [Number counter ticks and strikes a bell, as rock candy falls out of a dispenser)

    Voice over: 89% of our research...

    [Clicking sound as a microscope moves into place]

    Voice over: was categorised as world-leading or internationally excellent

    (footnote: Research Excellence Framework 2021)

    [Cartoon blinking sound as a giant eye looks through a microscope]

    Voice over: Our investment in research and innovation is estimated to boost the national economy by £31 million by 2030

    [Small pop sound as particles seen through the microscope transform into text “£31 Million”]

    Voice over:  We are creating real-world benefits and scientific breakthroughs, generating five new spin-outs...

    [Roller coaster sound as a single roller coaster track turns into five]

    Voice over: …and 37 new graduate start-ups in three years,

    creating business and job opportunities and attracting investment to the region.

    Voice over: After graduating,

    [Pings sounds as windows in the Meeting House turn to colour]

    Voice over: over 1 in 4 of our students found work in the region...

    [Pencil stroke sound as the number 1 is outlined, followed by seagull cry with a seagull photo]

    Voice over: With 40% going on to become key workers such as teachers, social workers and doctors…making a social impact

    [Small wooden block sounds as multiple hands touch letters from the word ‘impact’]

    Voice over: And contributing their skills and knowledge

    [Taps and click sounds as hands, chalks, scissors and a pencil move into the centre]

    Voice over: to local businesses and community.

    [Soundscape of seaside, stream train, trade and tourism with a cut out collage of local landmarks and icons]

    [END CARD. University of Sussex logo, with text ‘Ideas with impact’]

An independent report by Oxford Economics has measured the University of Sussex’s impact on the UK economy during 2020/21. The findings demonstrate the important economic and social contributions we make within the region and across the UK.

Our economic effects are measured in several ways, including:

  • impact of our operational spend
  • number of jobs we support and employment we provide
  • gross value and tax revenues generated from our activities
  • economic contribution from our students and the visitors we attract to the area
  • research and development expenditure in the region.

Through these positive effects, we are supporting ideas with impact.

  • £495 milliongross valued-added to the economy

  • 7,800 jobs across the UK

  • £31.3 million boost to economy from R&D investment by 2030

Download full report [PDF 2.2MB]

To find out more about how our economic impact was calculated please contact collaborate@sussex.ac.uk for a copy of the report methodology. Please state if you require an accessible version of this document.

Reflection from our Vice-Chancellor, Sasha Roseneil

“We are a university with a global outlook, attracting students and staff from more than 120 countries. But we do more than educate. We carry out world-leading research, encourage innovation and contribute to national growth.”

Read the full message.

Explore our impact

Economic contribution of International Students in Sussex

The Higher Education Policy Institute in partnership with Kaplan have published the latest data showing the economic value of international students to the UK according to the new parliamentary constituency boundaries. The total gross benefits across the whole UK of one year’s intake of international students amount to £41.9 billion.

The findings demonstrate the significant value of international students that the University of Sussex brings to the region. The total gross economic contribution in the areas of Hove, Brighton Pavilion, Brighton Kemptown and Lewes was £351m with a net contribution of £317m. Taking into account impacts for the whole of East and West Sussex, the total gross economic contribution of international students was £557m with a net contribution of £504m. 

Read the full report.

Contact

If you have any queries, email collaborate@sussex.ac.uk.

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