Consulting Report
30 Jan 2025

The economic impact of the University of Bristol

Commissioned by University of Bristol

The University of Bristol contributed £1.06 billion to Bristol’s economy and £1.78 billion nationally in the academic year 2022/23, supporting over 27,000 jobs across the UK. The report highlights the University’s role in driving innovation, fostering entrepreneurship, and boosting human capital, while outlining future growth opportunities.

The University of Bristol plays a vital role in driving economic growth and prosperity at the local and national level. To better understand its economic impact, the University commissioned Oxford Economics to assess its contribution in the academic year 2022/23, as well as the potential benefits arising from future expansions, including the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus.

The analysis focuses on quantifying the University’s economic footprint across Bristol, the West of England Combined Authority, and the UK. This includes its direct impact, supply chain activities, and the economic contributions of its students and visitors. Additionally, the report highlights the wider benefits generated by the University, including its globally-recognised research, entrepreneurial spin-offs, and the significant economic value added by its skilled graduates.

Oxford Economics found that the University contributed £1.06 billion to Bristol’s economy, supporting over 16,500 jobs in the academic year 2022/23—equivalent to 5.1% of GVA and 4.8% of employment across the city. The University of Bristol extended its economic footprint to £1.78 billion nationally, sustaining more than 27,200 jobs across the UK workforce.

This report was brought to you by the Cities and Regions team.
Understand the consequences of global, national and local events on cities and regional economies.
The experts behind the research
  • Neil McCullough

    Neil McCullough

    Director, Cities Consultancy
    Neil McCullough

    Director, Cities Consultancy

    Neil leads a consultancy team with particular expertise in economic impact analysis, and also economic support for local, city and regional planning.
    Neil and his team have extensive experience in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and work across the UK, but also internationally especially in the Middle East. Neil is a highly experienced project manager and presenter, including providing evidence on planning issues, and often works in partnership with other specialist consultancies.

  • Patrick Deshpande

    Patrick Deshpande

    Lead Economist
    Patrick Deshpande

    Lead Economist

    Patrick is a Lead Economist in the Cities and Regions team, specialising in economic impact model development, socio-economic profiling, and bespoke modelling on consultancy projects. Patrick is a UK Office for National Statistics Accredited Researcher. Prior to joining Oxford Economics, Patrick was a Senior Economist in the Economic Development team at AECOM.

    Patrick has a BA in Economics from the University of Leicester and an MSc in Economics from Trinity College Dublin.

  • David Schmutz

    David Schmutz

    Economist, Cities and Regions
    David Schmutz

    Economist, Cities and Regions

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