HIGHER EDUCATION IN
FACTS AND FIGURES 2017
INTRODUCTION Welcome to the 2017 edition of Higher education in facts and figures. This annual publication provides an overview of UK higher education students, outcomes, staff and finances. All data relates to UK higher education institutions unless stated otherwise. Further information on the sources used in this publication can be found on our website: www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/facts-and-figures
HIGHLIGHTS
University applications from 18-year-olds in areas of England with lower higher education participation rates have increased to record levels.
Employment rates and median salaries continue to be higher for graduates than for non-graduates.
In 2017, overall student satisfaction at UK higher education institutions was 84%.
Just under a quarter of total university income is from direct UK government sources.
16% of research income came from sources outside of the UK.
For further information: Tel: +44 (0)20 7419 4111 Visit: www.universitiesuk.ac.uk Email: info@universitiesuk.ac.uk
Highlights
14% of undergraduates, 38% of postgraduates and 29% of academic staff are from outside of the UK.
3
4
CONTENTS STUDENTS
Contents
Students by country of provider, 2014–15 to 2015–16
OUTCOMES 7
Qualifications awarded by mode of study, 2015–16
16
Qualifications awarded by domicile, 2015–16
17
Students by level of study and mode of study, 2015–16
8
Young university application rates, 2006 to 2017
Destinations of UK-domiciled leavers by level of qualification and sex, 2015–16
18
9
Destinations of UK- and other EU-domiciled leavers, 2011−12 and 2015−16
19
Unemployment rates and median salaries in the UK, 2016
20
National Student Survey, 2017
21
Application rates from the most disadvantaged 18-year-olds, 2006 to 2017
10
Students by subject area, 2015–16
11
Students by domicile and level of study, 2015–16
12
Top 20 home countries of non-UK students, 2015–16
13
STAFF
Non continuation rates, 2006−07 to 2014–15
14
Staff by nationality and contract level, 2015–16
23
Academic staff, 2015–16
24
Staff salaries by sex, 2015–16
25
5
FINANCE 27
Income of higher education institutions by source, 2015–16
28
Teaching and research income of higher education institutions, 2015–16
29
Operating expenditure of higher education institutions, 2015–16
30
ANNEXE Sources
31
Glossary
32
Notes on data
34
Contents
Income and size of higher education institutions, 2014−15 to 2015−16
STUDENTS With the UK attracting more students from overseas than any other country besides the United States, its student population is incredibly diverse. Overall, 14% of undergraduates and 38% of postgraduates were from outside of the UK. The way that students complete their studies also varies. In 2015–16, 82% of undergraduates studied full time, whereas 43% of postgraduates studied part time.
STUDENTS BY COUNTRY OF PROVIDER, 2014–15 TO 2015–16
7
Scotland 235,565 TOTAL 2.6% FULL-TIME -2.8% PART-TIME 19 PROVIDERS
1.3%
Northern Ireland
-2.1%
England
55,245 TOTAL -1.9% FULL-TIME -2.6% PART-TIME 5 PROVIDERS
0.9% Wales
-3.2%
128,675 TOTAL -0.3% FULL-TIME -9.9% PART-TIME 10 PROVIDERS Note: figures show numbers in 2015−16, and percentage changes between 2014−15 and 2015−16. The Open University has been distributed across each of the home nations.
1,861,345 TOTAL 2.9% FULL-TIME -5.0% PART-TIME 132 PROVIDERS
Students
In 2015, the number of full-time students at UK higher education institutions increased in England and Scotland. All home nations showed decreases in numbers of part-time students.
8
STUDENTS BY LEVEL OF STUDY AND MODE OF STUDY, 2015−16
Students
Part-time students make up 75% of other undergraduate students and a quarter of postgraduate (research) students at UK higher education institutions. 89% of undergraduates undertaking a first degree are studying full time.
Other undergraduate 183,955
First degree 1,563,900
Postgraduate (taught) 419,795
Postgraduate (research) 113,175
Total 2,280,830
24%
11% 47%
25%
25%
75%
75%
53%
89%
Full-time
Part-time
76% Full-time
Part-time
YOUNG UNIVERSITY APPLICATION RATES, 2006 TO 2017
9
Students
18-year-olds from England were more likely to apply to full-time, undergraduate study in 2017 than in any previous year. From 2016 to 2017, the 18-year-old application rate decreased in Wales and Northern Ireland, and remained the same in Scotland.
Application rate (%)
50 45
48%
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
2017
APPLICATION RATES FROM THE MOST DISADVANTAGED 18-YEAR-OLDS, 2006 TO 2017
England
Northern Ireland
Wales
Scotland
Note: 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.
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
5
0
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
5
2009
10
10
2008
19.7%
15
15
2007
22.5%
20
17.0% Application rate (%)
25
0
20
24.4%
2006
30
2006
Students
18-year-olds from the lowest areas of participation in England and Scotland are more likely than ever to apply to university.
Application rate (%)
10
STUDENTS BY SUBJECT AREA, 2015−16
11
Subject area
Students
Undergraduate numbers at UK higher education institutions are highest for business, subjects allied to medicine, and biological sciences, while for postgraduates, the numbers are highest for business, education, and subjects allied to medicine. Medicine & dentistry Subjects allied to medicine Biological sciences Veterinary science Agriculture & related subjects Physical sciences Mathematical sciences Computer science Engineering & technology Architecture, building & planning Social studies Law Business & administrative studies Mass communications & documentation Languages Historical & philosophical studies Creative arts & design Education Combined 0
50,000 Undergraduate
100,000
150,000
Postgraduate
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
STUDENTS BY DOMICILE AND LEVEL OF STUDY, 2015−16
1,342,770 Undergraduate
Students
14% of undergraduate students and 38% of postgraduate students at UK higher education institutions are from outside of the UK.
143,300
First degree
77,825
166,795
12,885
Other undergraduate
4,275 268,470 Postgraduate
12
120,710
Postgraduate (taught)
64,285 Postgraduate (research)
30,130 33,680
15,205 0
400,000 UK
Other European Union
800,000 Non-European Union
1,200,000
1,600,000
TOP 20 HOME COUNTRIES OF NON-UK STUDENTS, 2015−16
13
Students
In 2015−16, the top six home countries of non-UK students were China – accounting for 21% of non-UK students – Malaysia, the United States, India, Hong Kong and Nigeria (accounting for 4% each).
Country
Count
Percentage
Country
Count
Percentage
China
91,215
21%
Greece
9,790
2%
Malaysia
17,405
4%
Cyprus
9,140
2%
United States
17,115
4%
Saudi Arabia
8,570
2%
India
16,745
4%
Spain
7,840
2%
Hong Kong
16,745
4%
Singapore
7,540
2%
Nigeria
16,100
4%
Romania
7,200
2%
Germany
13,425
3%
Bulgaria
6,195
1%
France
12,525
3%
Thailand
6,095
1%
Italy
12,135
3%
Canada
5,980
1%
Ireland
10,245
2%
Poland
5,655
1%
NON-CONTINUATION RATES, 2006−07 TO 2014−15
Students
In 2014−15, the percentage of UK-domiciled, full-time, first degree entrants not continuing in higher education after their first year was below the level seen in 2006−07.
16 14 Non-continuation rate (%)
14
11.7%
12 10 8 6
6.2%
4 2 0 2006–07
2007−08
Young students
2008–09
2009–10
2010–11
Mature students
2011–12
2012–13
2013–14
2014–15
OUTCOMES The 2017 National Student Survey showed that student satisfaction was 84% overall, and there is a growing public and policy interest in the student experience and graduate outcomes. Salaries and employment rates continue to be higher for both undergraduates and postgraduates when compared to non-graduates, while more than 90% of UK-domiciled undergraduates and postgraduates were working and/or pursuing further study six months after graduation.
16
QUALIFICATIONS AWARDED BY MODE OF STUDY, 2015−16
Outcomes
In 2015−16, 54% of all qualifications awarded by UK higher education institutions were first degrees, 11% were for other types of undergraduate degrees (including foundation degrees) and 35% were for postgraduate degrees.
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
0
20,000
First degree
367,240 9,275 37,060
PGCE
22,760
Postgraduate (research)
80,000
5,545
Other undergraduate
19,760
60,000
32,580
28,870
Postgraduate (taught)
144,050
Full-time
Foundation degree
40,000
69,930 1,040 4,615 Part-time
QUALIFICATIONS AWARDED BY DOMICILE, 2015−16
17
Outcomes
In 2015–16, 74% of qualifications awarded to UK students were undergraduate degrees, while 62% of qualifications awarded to non-UK students were postgraduate degrees.
First degree Foundation degree
HNC/HND
Other undergraduate Postgraduate (research) Postgraduate (taught) 0%
20% UK full-time
UK part-time
Non-European Union full-time
40%
60%
Other European Union full-time Non-European Union part-time
80% Other European Union part-time
100%
DESTINATIONS OF UK-DOMICILED LEAVERS BY LEVEL OF QUALIFICATION AND SEX, 2015−16
Postgraduate
Outcomes
Six months after graduation, 93% of postgraduates and 90% of undergraduates were working and/or pursuing further study.
Undergraduate
18
Postgraduate total Postgraduate female Postgraduate male
Undergraduate total Undergraduate female Undergraduate male
83%
4% 6%
84%
4% 5%
81%
6%
68%
7%
66%
6%
20% Work
3% 4%
4% 7%
67%
0%
3% 4%
Work and further study
40% Further study
17%
Unemployed
5%
16%
7%
80% Other
3%
5%
4% 5%
18%
60%
5%
4%
100%
DESTINATIONS OF UK- AND OTHER EU-DOMICILED LEAVERS, 2011−12 AND 2015−16
19
Outcomes
The percentage of leavers in work or further study has increased from 89% in 2011−12 to 92% in 2015−16.
4%
4% 5%
7% 15%
14%
2011–12
7%
64%
2015–16
67%
4%
4%
UK work
6%
Overseas work
Work and further study
Unemployed
Further study
Other
20
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES AND MEDIAN SALARIES IN THE UK, 2016 Median salaries and employment rates continue to be higher for both undergraduates and postgraduates when compared to non-graduates.
£35,000
70%
7%
60%
6%
50%
5%
40%
4%
30%
3%
20%
2%
10%
1%
£5,000
0%
0%
£0
Young high-skill employment rate (21–30 year olds) High-skill employment rate (16–64 year olds)
£30,000 £25,000 £20,000 £15,000
Young unemployment rate (21–30 year olds) Unemployment rate (16–64 year olds)
te ua gr ad
du
te
at e nNo
Gr a
tg ra du a Po s
te ua
te
gr ad
ua nNo
Gr ad
tg ra du a
te
£10,000
Po s
ua gr ad
du
at e nNo
Gr a
tg ra du a
te
£40,000
8%
te
9%
80%
Po s
Outcomes
90%
Young median salary (21–30 year olds) Median salary (16–64 year olds)
NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY, 2017
21
87%
NHS practice placements The teaching on my course
85%
Learning resources
85%
Learning opportunities
84%
Overall satisfaction
84%
Academic support
80%
Learning community
77%
Organisation and management
75%
Assessment and feedback
73%
Student voice
73%
Students’ union 0%
Outcomes
In 2017, overall student satisfaction at UK higher education institutions was 84%. Satisfaction with teaching on the course was 85%, learning opportunities scored 84%, and academic support 80%.
57% 10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Student satisfaction
Note: due to changes in the questions asked, the 2017 National Student Survey results cannot be compared to previous years.
80%
90%
100%
STAFF 29% of the UK’s academic staff are from overseas, with 17% from other EU countries. Nearly a quarter of senior lecturers and 18% of professors working at UK higher education institutions are non-UK nationals. Females make up 45% of the academic workforce.
STAFF BY NATIONALITY AND CONTRACT LEVEL, 2015−16
23
4%
100% 90% 80%
10%
9%
14%
13% 79%
76%
70%
6% 90%
6% 8%
7% 11%
85%
82%
Staff
24% of senior lecturers at UK higher education institutions are non-UK nationals. 18% of professors and 7% of senior management are also from overseas. 3% 93%
4%
500
60%
400
50% 40% 30% 20%
300
10%
UK
EEA
t em
en
so rs
Other non-European Union countries
Note: each column contains a number of job titles, which can be found in the online version of this publication.
ag an m io r Se n
er pr ov id k Ta s
Pr of es
s
f st af ist ra tiv e in Ad m
Se
ni
or l
Te am
ec t
le ad
ur
er
s
er s
0%
200
ACADEMIC STAFF, 2015−16
Academic staff by employment function and mode of employment
Academic staff by nationality and sex
120,000 7%
100,000
5% 32%
80,000
9% 60,000 8%
40,000 20,000 39%
Full-time
ly Part-time
Ne ith no er t r r ea es ch ea ing rc h
on in g ch Te a
ch re ing se an ar d ch Re se ar ch on ly
0
Te a
Staff
29% of academic staff at UK higher education institutions are from outside of the UK. A third of academic staff are employed on a part-time basis.
Staff
24
Male non-EU staff
Female other EU staff
Female non-EU staff
Male UK staff
Male other EU staff
Female UK staff
STAFF SALARIES BY SEX 2015−16
25
Staff
54% of the entire workforce at UK higher education institutions is female. Females make up 45% of the academic workforce and 66% of staff earning £24,057 or less. Males make up 58% of staff earning £43,325 or more. Staff salaries at higher education institutions
Percentage of employees from total
120,000 100,000
19%
22%
60,000 40,000 27%
20,000
32%
24 ,0 57 05 7– £3 2, £3 27 2, 7 27 7– £4 £4 3, 32 3, 32 5 5– £5 8 £5 ,1 72 8, 17 2 or m or e £2 4,
03 1– £
£1 8,
to
£1 8,
03 1
0
Up
Staff
80,000
Female academic
Male academic
Female non-academic
Male non-academic
FINANCE Higher education institutions raise income from a wide range of sources. In 2015−16, 54% of income was from sources other than tuition fees, while 24% of income was from direct UK government sources. 16% of research income came from non-UK sources. 55% of spending at UK higher education institutions was related to teaching and research activities, which includes spending on academic and support staff working in academic departments. Additional spending also contributes to the student experience, including spending on libraries, accommodation and IT.
INCOME AND SIZE OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, 2014–15 TO 2015–16
27
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
In 2015–16, nearly two-thirds of UK higher education institutions had an income of more than £100 million. Just over a quarter of institutions had over 20,000 students.
£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
Number of institutions 2014–15 (restated)
2015–16
50
60
0
10
20
30
Number of institutions 2014–15
2015–16
40
28
INCOME OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS BY SOURCE, 2015−16 54% of income was from sources other than tuition fees. Just under a quarter of income was from direct UK government sources.
Finance
9% 20%
Teaching – UK government Teaching – fees Research – UK government Research – other
2%
Endowment and investment Other income Total income: £34.7 billion
8%
46%
15%
TEACHING AND RESEARCH INCOME OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, 2015−16
29
Teaching income by source
Finance
In 2015–16, UK higher education institutions received a total of £19.1 billion in teaching income. Institutions also received £7.8 billion in research income, of which 16% came from non-UK sources. Research income by source
5%
6%
1%
11%
17% 49%
4%
64% 15% 23%
6% UK and EU undergraduate fees UK and EU postgraduate fees Non-EU fees
UK government grants Other fees and grants
UK government UK charities UK business
EU sources Non-EU sources Other sources
30
OPERATING EXPENDITURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, 2015−16
Finance
55% of spending by higher education institutions was related to teaching and research activities, which includes spending on academic and support staff working in academic departments. Teaching and research
55%
Maintaining campuses
11%
Libraries, IT and museums
9%
Running the university Accommodation and conferences Financial support to students and outreach Student and staff facilities Other expenditure 0%
7% 5% 4% 3% 5% 10%
20%
30%
40%
Percentage of university expenditure
50%
60%
SOURCES
31
p.24 HESA Staff Record [2015–16]*
p.8 HESA Student Record [2015−16]*
p.25 HESA Staff Record [2015–16]*
p.9 UCAS, 2017
p.27 HESA Finance Record and Student Record [multiple years]*
p.10 UCAS, 2017 p.11 HESA Student Record [2015−16]* p.12 HESA Student Record [2015−16]* p.13 HESA Student Record [2015−16]* p.14 HESA UK Performance Indicators [2015−16] p.16 HESA Student Record [2015−16]* p.17 HESA (2017), Statistical First Release 242 p.18 HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) [2015−16] p.19 HESA (2017), Statistical First Release 245 p.20 Department for Education (2017), Graduate Labour Market Statistics 2016 p.21 National Student Survey (NSS) 2017 p.23 HESA Staff Record [2015–16]*
p.28 UUK analysis of HESA Finance Plus 2015−16 p.29 UUK analysis of HESA Finance Plus 2015−16 p.30 UUK analysis of HESA Finance Plus 2015−16 *Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited. 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.
Annexe
HESA Student Record [2015−16]*
p.7
32
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. First degree A three- or four-year undergraduate higher education course taken after finishing further education, generally resulting in a bachelor’s degree. Higher education institutions In 2015–16, there were 162 higher education institutions in the UK in receipt of public funding
via one of the UK funding councils. This report features aggregated data from all 162, plus the University of Buckingham, largely based on institutional returns to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). On page 7, students from The Open University have been split across each UK nation to better reflect the number of students in each part of the UK. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the analysis in this report therefore excludes other higher education providers, including alternative providers or further education colleges that currently do not return consistent and full data to HESA. HEFCE The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) funds and regulates universities and colleges in England. HESA Higher Education Statistics Agency.
33
Mode of study Whether a student studies full or part time. Non-continuation rate For this publication, the non-continuation rate is the percentage of full-time, first degree entrants not continuing in higher education after their first year. NSS National Student Survey. Other undergraduate Undergraduate degrees which are not first degrees, including foundation degrees and Higher National Diplomas.
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). SIMD The 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.
Annexe
High-skill employment (ONS definition) Occupations at this level are generally termed ‘professional’ or ‘managerial’ positions, and are found in corporate enterprises or governments. Examples include senior government officials; financial managers; scientists; engineers; medical doctors; teachers; and accountants.
34
NOTES ON DATA
Annexe
All percentages have been calculated using raw figures and rounded, and therefore rounded figures may not sum precisely. Full data and further information on sources can be found on our website: www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/facts-and-figures
UNIVERSITIES UK Universities UK is the representative organisation for the UK’s universities. Founded in 1918, our mission is to be the voice of universities in the UK, providing high quality leadership and support to our members to promote a successful and diverse higher education sector. With 136 members and offices in London, Cardiff (Universities Wales) and Edinburgh (Universities Scotland), we promote the strength and success of UK universities nationally and internationally. Woburn House, 20 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HQ Tel: +44 (0)20 7419 4111 Email: info@universitiesuk.ac.uk Web: www.universitiesuk.ac.uk Twitter: @UniversitiesUK ISBN 978-1-84036-386-9 October 2017