Universities in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

A Hard Lesson: Though Revenue is Edging Upwards, Budget Constraints Force Universities to Slash Costs

This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.

Over the five years through 2022-23, the Universities industry's revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 1.3% to £47 billion. This expansion can be attributed to an increase in student numbers, rising tuition fees and growing investment returns over much of the period. The increase in tuition fees to £9,250 in 2017-18 has been an important driver of revenue growth. However, with tuition fees frozen since 2012, record inflation throughout 2022 has meant their real value has plummeted. The cap on undergraduate student numbers in the UK was lifted in 2020-21, leading to a rise in student enrolments which has helped universities.

Universities offer higher education, leading to qualifications such as bachelor’s degrees, foundation degrees, master’s degrees and higher education diplomas. Operators in this industry provide full and part-time teaching and training that leads to both undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.