With over 23,000 students, 6,000 members of staff, and seven campuses – five of which are in Southampton – ours is the largest university on the south coast.

A new report, launched this week, outlines the significant economic and social impact resulting from the University of Southampton’s activities, viewed from a local, regional and national perspective.

Conducted by leading independent economic consultancy, BiGGAR Economics, the study demonstrates how the activities of the University create benefits and impacts for both the economy and for society, underlining the University’s role as a major contributor to the local area of Southampton, the wider region and the UK.

Their report shows that in addition to our activities in education and research and purchase of goods and services, the University drives economic impact through partnership with businesses and the public sector, leading to invention and innovation in products, services, policy, strategy and health care delivery and also the creation and growth of businesses. Our leading-edge research has a tangible impact on individuals, communities and the economy, and our health research leads to advances that benefit millions of people around the world.

The report’s authors estimate that annually the University supports economic activity in:

• Southampton of more than £729 million GVA* and 11,700 jobs;
• the regional area of more than £1.0 billion GVA and over 16,300 jobs;
• the UK of more than £2.0 billion GVA and over 26,500 jobs.

The full report, which runs to 56 pages, can be viewed here. 

*GVA (Gross Value Added) measures the monetary contribution of an organisation to the economy