Economic and social impact

Analysis of our socio-economic impact upon the city, region and UK

AWe support 5,288 FTE jobs in the city of Plymouth
(Our activities were worth c.£819m to UK economy
'Capital investment programme worth £246m creating an additional 5,000 jobs over 5 years
]We support 9,474 FTE jobs in the UK
cStaff delivered 255,000 hours of public service
>No. 1 in the world for our sustainable marine impact.
}Students delivered >25,000 hours of general voluntary work in 2019/20

In the autumn of 2021, the University of Plymouth commissioned a comprehensive independent analysis of its socio-economic impact upon the city, region and UK. This summary provides an overview of some of the key statistics and findings.

Map of the south west peninsula with pin pointing on Plymouth

Based upon robust data (across academic years 2019/20), we now know that the University of Plymouth contributes £819m of output to the UK economy, £444m to UK GDP and over 9,470 jobs in the UK are dependent on the University and its activities.

The value to the South West, to our two Local Enterprise Partnership areas, and to the City of Plymouth is no less profound and far-reaching. Whether in the form of direct expenditure, indirect supply chain impact, or benefits in kind through public activity, the University is key player in the local and regional blue and green economies.

The University is so much more than a degree-awarding seat of learning; it is a driver for economic innovation and advancement and a catalyst for social change. It has proven repeatedly that it is the key driver for the region’s recovery and levelling-up plan.

With a focus on accelerating opportunities through clean growth, advancements in health technologies and the support of coastal and rural communities alongside the abundance of marine and maritime activities and partnerships, the University is making a significant contribution to the region in support of ‘building back better’.

This impact report provides compelling evidence of the transformational impact of our research, teaching and learning and civic engagement. Our thanks to Viewforth Consulting for conducting this analysis.

University of Plymouth key drivers

Visitors on a tour of the campus in the Marine Building Wave Tank

Leaders of economic innovation

A group of dental students are visiting Ford Primary School to demonstrate oral hygiene to the pupils.

Catalysts for social change

Champions of sustainability

Assessment criteria

*Economic impact of the University’s expenditure
SDistribution of impact across the South West
<The University’s far-reaching impact and significance for society

The report is a summary of an extensive study of the economic, social, and cultural impact that the University of Plymouth has upon its communities.

It presents a number of key findings and provides an overview of some of the many and varied ways in which the University, its staff and students, generate economic benefit and wider social and cultural value.