Our Economic Impact

Driving growth and prosperity across Ipswich, Suffolk and beyond

FOREWORD FROM PRO VICE-CHANCELLOR BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

It is with great pride that I present the findings from the University of Suffolk’s latest Economic Impact Assessment. This comprehensive analysis, which has taken economic data from the 2021–2022 academic year, stands as a testament to the significant influence and impactful contributions the University of Suffolk has made in our communities in Ipswich, Suffolk and beyond. It is critical to understand the importance of our economic footprint and this assessment not only quantifies our impact but also underscores our commitment to transparency and accountability as part of our Civic University pledge.

The findings of this assessment highlight the ways in which our operations have contributed to economic growth and job creation across the UK, including spending with local suppliers and attracting investment from further afield to our region.

As we review this assessment in the context of the last few years of activity and investment at the University of Suffolk, we cannot underestimate the profound impact of our collective efforts across the University and our region. Together, we have transformed our University to ensure we are the catalyst for positive change on a broader societal scale, a founding principle of the University of Suffolk’s role as an anchor institution in the region.

Moreover, we are able to leverage these findings to drive forward our academic, research and business engagement strategies and position the University as an engine for change and a champion for growth within the region. I invite you to join with the University of Suffolk to reflect on our collective achievements, and to partner with us as we continue to navigate the evolving higher education landscape, economic progress and social responsibility.

Professor Gurpreet Jagpal Pro Vice-Chancellor Business and Entrepreneurship

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The University of Suffolk’s Quantifiable Impact

In 2021–2022, the University of Suffolk had an income of £135 million, 606 members of staff, and 4,946 full-time students in Ipswich. It generated a total economic impact of:

 £237 million GVA and 1,660 jobs in Ipswich;

 £332 million GVA and 2,740 jobs in Suffolk;

 £484 million GVA and 3,760 jobs in the East of England; and

 £862 million GVA and 13,570 jobs in the UK as a whole.

Gross Value Added (GVA) measures the monetary contribution of University operations to the economy.

This represents an increase in GVA generated across the UK of £500 million since the previous study of the University which analysed its impact in 2017–2018, and an increase of 1,470 in employment generated across the UK.

In 2021–2022, the University’s UK impact was generated from several sources:

 Core education and research operations, which include the income the University receives, the staff it employs, the supply chain it supports and the capital investments it makes;

 The full-time student community, which supports impact each year through student spending, working, and volunteering activity;

 Graduates, who create a lifetime earnings impact and an additional exchequer impact;

 Research and knowledge exchange activity, which includes the collaborative work of the university and across the spectrum of Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) perspectives.

The University of Suffolk’s Wider Impacts

The University of Suffolk is recognised for the significant contributions it makes to meeting the strategic goals of Ipswich and Suffolk

By working to attract and retain talent and taking on a key role in bringing organisations together, the University acts as a major driver of the economic development of the region. Through its work with partners, the University has been directly involved in establishing and supporting a number of new centres of innovation and opportunities for development in traditional and emerging sectors in Ipswich and Suffolk

The University of Suffolk is a civic university which continues to play a key role in the redevelopment of Ipswich and, through its work with local young people, encourages many from non-traditional backgrounds to engage with higher education, supporting them to positive destinations following their time at university.

In Ipswich in 2021 – 20 22, the University of Suffolk:

Generated £237 million GVA* and 1,660 jobs

*

This includes…

£ 67 million GVA and 900 jobs generated by core teaching and research activities

£25 million GVA and 760 job s generated by student impacts

£143 million GVA generated by graduate impacts

£2 million GVA and 10 jobs generated by research and knowledge exchange

In Ipswich, the University of Suffolk:

 Attracts and retains talent in various sectors;

 Drives redevelopment on the waterfront; and

 Works with young people to engage with higher education.

Gross Value Added

In Suffolk in 2021 – 20 22, the University of Suffolk:

Generated £332 million GVA* and 2,740 jobs

This includes…

£ 80 million GVA and 1,210 jobs generated by core teaching and research activities

*

£ 49 million GVA and 1,520 jobs generated by student impacts

£ 200 million GVA generated by graduate impacts

£4 million GVA and 10 jobs generated by research and knowledge exchange

In Suffolk, the University of Suffolk:

 Attracts and retains talent;

 Works with partners to improve productivity; and

 Drives the development of traditional and emerging sectors.

Gross Value Added

In the East of England in 2021 – 20 22, the University of Suffolk:

Generated

£484 million GVA* and 3,760 jobs

*

This includes…

£ 107 million GVA and 1,830 jobs generated by core teaching and research activities

£ 61 million GVA and 1,890 jobs generated by student impacts

£299 million GVA

generated by graduate impacts

£16 million GVA and 50 jobs generated by research and knowledge exchange

In the East of England, the University of Suffolk:

 Works with businesses to deliver CPD;

 Provides higher education to meet the needs of partners; and

 Supports the delivery of regional strategic goals.

Gross Value Added

In the UK in 2021 – 20 22, the University of Suffolk:

Generated £862 million GVA* and 13,570 jobs

*

This includes…

£ 180 million GVA and 3,350 jobs generated by core teaching and research activities

£ 323 million GVA and 10,130 jobs generated by student impacts

£ 333 million GVA generated by graduate impacts

£26 million GVA and 90 jobs generated by research and knowledge exchange

In the UK, the University of Suffolk:

 Works with partners to provide higher education;

 Supports the development of the UK’s sectoral strengths; and

 Is increasingly recognised nationally.

Gross Value Added

SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL FUTURE IMPACTS

Drivers of Impact

Stakeholders in the region would like to see the University develop its strategic leadership role and continue to bring people together to drive development in the area. There is a common shared aspiration that active relationships with the University of Suffolk will continue to drive growth, retain young people, and attract talent to the region.

Future Scenario

Key quantitative drivers of impact for growth in the University’s economic activity include:

 10,000 students enrolled on campus – of which 1,000 would be international students;

 50% increase in the number of students based at partner institutions across the UK;

 £10 million collaborative partnership income; and

 20 Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.

Potential Future Impacts

If all the drivers for growth materialise, the economic impact generated by the University of Suffolk could be up to £1.4 billion GVA and 21,020 jobs across the UK. This would include:

£392 million GVA and 2,690 jobs in Ipswich, comprising:

 £117 million GVA and 1,120 jobs generated by core education and research operations;

 £50 million GVA and 1,530 jobs generated by student impacts;

 £214 million GVA generated by graduates; and

 £11 million GVA and 40 jobs generated by research and knowledge exchange activity.

£549 million GVA and 4,640 jobs in Suffolk, comprising:

 £133 million GVA and 1,500 jobs generated by core education and research operations;

 £99 million GVA and 3,070 jobs generated by student impacts;

 £299 million GVA generated by graduates; and

 £18 million GVA and 70 jobs generated by research and knowledge exchange activity.

£817 million GVA and 6,330 jobs in the East of England, comprising:

 £167 million GVA and 2,270 jobs generated by core education and research operations;

 £123 million GVA and 3,820 jobs generated by student impacts;

 £449 million GVA generated by graduates; and

 £77 million GVA and 240 jobs generated by research and knowledge exchange activity.

£1.4 billion GVA and 21,020 jobs in the UK, comprising:

 £258 million GVA and 4,170 jobs generated by core education and research operations;

 £523 million GVA and 16,410 jobs generated by student impacts;

 £499 million GVA generated by graduates; and

 £123 million GVA and 440 jobs generated by research and knowledge exchange activity.