UEL contributes £814 million annually to UK economy

Highlights

• UEL contributes £814 million annually to UK economy, with every £1 of income returning £4.24 to the economy
• UEL supports 3,545 jobs across the UK, including 2,130 in London
• UEL has reduced its CO2 emissions more than any other modern university in London
• UEL is first in the UK for its number of care experienced undergraduate students
• UEL has the second largest population of Indian students of any UK higher education institution
• Of all adult nursing students in London, 1 of 12 study at UEL

The University of East London (UEL) contributes £814 million annually to the UK economy, according to a new report assessing the University’s economic, environmental and socio-cultural impact.

The new report, officially launched this week in a gala celebration of the University’s 125th anniversary, includes. The analysis, commissioned by the University and carried out by Public First and London Economics, found that every £1 of University income returns £4.24 to the economy.

The £814 million figure includes teaching and education, institutional activity, supply chain spending and research as well as direct operations.

Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of East London, Professor Amanda Broderick, said,

At UEL’s heart is a mission for social justice and equity, tackling inequalities and increasing the diversity of the talent pipeline. Its ambition to become the UK’s leading careers-intensive university has improved outcomes for students and helped global organisations progress their equality and diversity missions.

UEL’s pioneering spirit, global partnerships, and dedication to equity have positioned it as a catalyst for positive change. This report sets out UEL’s commitment to sustainable economic development and social mobility, and its significant impact on local communities, the UK economy, and the global stage.

On our 125th anniversary, we look forward to the next 125 years with a vision for continued growth, adaptability, and a commitment to improving lives locally, nationally, and globally.

Sir Stephen Timms MP said in a foreword in the report,

The University of East London is a huge part of our community in Newham. I have seen first-hand its positive impact on the lives of students, staff and the citizens of east London. It has always been an enterprising, vibrant, and forward-looking institution, and the sheer breadth and quality of impact described in this report is testament to that.

Unlocking talent

Chapter one of the report outlines the work UEL is doing to build a more diverse talent pipeline, developing skills, innovation and enterprise for the 40,000+ students that study a degree on one of its three campuses or with partner providers. Those students represent over 160 nationalities, and over 12,000 international students study at the University’s London campuses. Among all students, 75 per cent identify as being from a Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) background.

A careers-ready university

UEL is preparing students for the demands of a 5.0 economy and collaborating with industry in a unique way to address skills and innovation gaps. The University works with over 2,500 active employer partners, an increase of more than 830 per cent since 2018.

UEL’s ambition to become the UK’s leading careers-intensive university has improved outcomes for students and helped global organisations progress their equality and diversity missions. 

In the last three years, UEL has supported 340 student start-ups, 19 new social enterprises and 369 new jobs in innovative start-up companies.

John Dickie, Chief Executive of Business LDN, said,

When universities and businesses collaborate on common goals, we can create a powerful force for good. The great strides UEL has made in recent years in improving graduate employability prospects, proving itself as an engine of innovation, and its ongoing positive civic impact, shines a light on that potential.

A “glocal” gateway

Chapter three looks at the role of UEL as a local civic actor, its national contribution to the UK economy, and its global impact through its many international partnerships. Researchers across the University are working with governments, universities and NGOs in countries including India, Zambia, Rwanda and Brazil to contribute to evidence-based policymaking, research to close global inequalities and share their expertise with communities internationally.

Lord Jo Johnson, International Higher Education Commissioner and UK Minister for Universities and Science (2015-18 & 2019), said,

The University of East London’s prescience in 2018 has enabled it to lead the way in working with industry to tackle both the current UK skills gap, and identify those skills needed into the future. Through its unique approach to industry collaboration, it is harnessing the drive and innovation of talented students from across the international social spectrum, equipping them with the skills and confidence to allow them to chart their own prosperous futures while giving employers a competitive edge.

Pioneering a green and sustainable world

Chapter four details the climate crisis and action taken as part of the University’s mission to become a net zero institution by 2030. Its innovative partnership with Siemens is helping to provide a blueprint for urban sustainability in higher education and achieve a global goal.

The University has developed a unique Living Lab for real-time and real-world teaching and research, and created new future-focused degrees, to show how to team up with an industry partner.

UEL’s partnership with Siemens was recognised with the Net Zero Leader Award at the 2023 Decentralised Energy Awards.

The UK leads the way in clean technologies, manufacturing, and green finance. UEL’s ambitious commitment to sustainability helps to explain how. By embedding sustainability into courses, making the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals central to research projects, and expanding industry experience opportunities, UEL is making a positive impact on our society and our planet. And together, we can build a better London for everyone.

 - Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London

Addressing health inequalities

Chapter five demonstrates where the University contributes to policy and research relating to health inequalities. UEL partners with services to overcome the challenges which cause and result from health inequity.

UEL is part of a £5 million project to boost research into health inequalities in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Pioneering work in social prescribing has helped train a network of 1,000 volunteers to provide support on improving health outcomes.

And since 2021, the Office for Students has awarded UEL £8.3 million in funding to develop its innovative Hospital and Primary Care Training Hub, with the University contributing a further £2 million in capital funding.

Ann Keen, MP for Brentford and Isleworth (1997-2010) and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health Services (2007-2010) said,

The healthcare sector needs skilled staff if it is to fight inequity and improve lives; as a former health minister and nurse, I know the importance of a well-trained workforce in this battle. The challenges currently faced by the NHS are well documented, with record waiting lists and numerous nursing vacancies. UEL is a vital partner in addressing this, educating more than 2,200 students in health science subjects since 2018. It has also recognised and is responding to the bottleneck in availability of clinical placements.

Shaping the future through early years research

Chapter 6 looks at the University’s strong tradition in supporting children and families through research and training in a range of related disciplines including early childhood education and care, developmental psychology, neuropsychology, counselling, community work, global development, law, health promotion, and social work. UEL also has a 125-year history of training and supporting teachers in east London and beyond.

One example is the BabyDevLab, which investigates how babies think and behave. Research findings from the lab have reached over 50,000 early years practitioners in 2000 primary schools, leading to substantial changes in early years teaching environments to support learning and development. Its research is being used in the public and private sectors to improve children’s wellbeing, including by the Department for Education, Public Health England, Thomas Cook and Center Parcs.

Driving inclusion through sport and wellbeing

UEL is harnessing the power of sport to overcome barriers, bring communities together, support and develop talent, and promote social inclusion. This is at both grassroots and elite levels, and through research. The University is only one of five higher education institutions to receive the University Mental Health Charter Award.

Over 1,500 primary aged children from a network of 20 local schools took part in the Sport In Your Futures programme in 2022/23. And UEL currently funds over 150 sport scholars, and has 13 alumni who are Olympians or Paralympians. The University is only one of five higher education institutions to receive the University Mental Health Charter Award.

Preparing for the technologies of the future

Chapter eight illustrates how research into tech including FinTech, AI and the metaverse is informing industry and policymakers.

UEL research is ensuring a digital future that is safe and accessible to all – informing policy around online harms and child protection in emerging online environments, using AI to help tackle insurance fraud, and tackling cybercrime.

UEL has received over £1.4million in research funding to study youth cybercrime and child online harms in the UK, EU and Africa over the last three years. UEL researchers conducted the largest survey of youth cybercrime in the EU ever undertaken with 8000 respondents in 8 countries.

Sir Ron Kalifa OBE said,

UEL is establishing an enviable reputation for its work in the area of FinTech, harnessing the latest data to inform strategy, contributing to the regulatory policy agenda, attracting global talent to the UK, and supporting start-ups to thrive. This work also underpins the innovative learning pathways that the Centre for FinTech at UEL has developed, including first-in-sector courses such as the LLM Fintech Law.

Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of East London, Professor Amanda Broderick, concluded,

As UEL celebrates 125 years of impact, every member of our diverse communities can be proud of the part that they are playing now, and look forward to the future’s opportunities and next 125 years with excitement, vision and purpose.

Find out more about UEL impact, including the full impact report online.