Universities: engaging with local communities

2007 Universities have a massive impact on their locality, not only as a result of the – often large – movement of people at the beginning and end of terms. Their social and cultural impact is felt through their provision of sports facilities, art galleries, cinemas and theatres, while as employers, and providers of skilled graduates, universities contribute to their local economies. In the last 50 years, there has been a large increase in the number of universities and in the number of students. The Government’s target for 50% of 18–30 year olds to participate in some form of higher education by 2010 means that this expansion is likely to continue. One of the core aims of UK higher education is to meet the needs of the wider community, and the expansion of higher education has had an increasing impact on that community. This leaflet looks at the impact of universities on their localities, highlighting the benefits as well as acknowledging some of the issues that can arise. It also looks at good practice and how universities have been working to improve community relations. Economic contribution to the community

Knock-on economic effects Spin-out companies Higher education Institutions (HEIs) Universities ‘spin-out’ companies to are large employers, often the largest develop their research. in their locality. Generating almost £45 These spin-out companies are worth billion of output a year, HEIs are a larger more than £3bn to the UK economy – part of the economy than either the UK in 2003/04 UK HEIs had over pharmaceutical or aircraft industries . 1,000 active ‘spin-out’ companies, For every 100 university jobs, a further employing 15,000. 99 are created in the wider economy by a ‘knock-on’ process. Output generated in the economy Higher education generated 606,400 Activity of higher jobs throughout the UK economy education institutions in 2003/04 through direct and knock- on effects. Direct output £16.87 billion Secondary or ‘Knock-on’ £25.63 billion output generated in other Working with business sectors of the economy Universities carry out research which Total output generated £42.5 billion local businesses are able to exploit. (ie, Direct plus Secondary) Local businesses may also commission Source: their own research from the university. The impact of higher This ‘knowledge transfer’ attracts education institutions on the UK economy new business to the region to use Universities UK, 2006 these benefits.There are now almost 100 science parks and clusters linked to universities. Two thirds of universities provide distance learning for businesses, with 80% providing short courses on business premises. In addition, universities offer degrees in entrepreneurship and work with employers to develop business-focused degrees and enhance graduate employability. Cultural, sporting and lifelong learning contribution

Cultural and social facilities Sporting facilities Universities enrich their local Many top class sporting facilities are communities through a variety of provided by universities. Across England activities and facilities. For example, and Wales these are open to the public many universities have museums, 71% of the time, while in , housing important artefacts and 91% of higher education institutions collections, and which in total attract offer pay-as-you go access to the public. two million visitors a year. These Sport and university facilities are used as museums are often a welcome first part of initiatives to help deliver social introduction to a university campus inclusion, reduce crime, promote lifelong for local residents. learning and improve health. University art galleries, botanic gardens, libraries, theatres, concert Reaching out: sports partnerships halls, film showings and many other % of institutions in Scotland England activities help to provide a colourful partnership with: and lively environment for local residents, Local sports clubs 62 88 and make a huge cultural contribution (amateur and to the community. These facilities are professional) regularly available for the wider public, Sports governing bodies 62 74 and many shows and performances by student groups are cheaply Local authorities 77 69 available for all. Other HE/FE institutions 46 63 Other schools 54 58 Lifelong learning Specialist sports colleges n/a 42

Making knowledge and education Source: Figures from: accessible to people living and working Participating and Sport England Audit of in the local region is a key activity for performing Sports Provision in the universities through continuing Universities UK, 2004 Higher Education Sector 2004 and sportscotland education programmes, evening classes, Audit of Sports Provision part-time study, and public lectures. in the Higher Education Over 10,000 academic staff days were Sector in Scotland 2003 dedicated to free public lectures in 2003/04, for over 400,000 attendees. Educating the workforce

Universities educate many professionals Universities and healthcare in who support the local region, such as the community architects, teachers, engineers, health Universities make an essential professionals and lawyers. contribution to the NHS. They educate All this attracts more businesses to future healthcare professionals, research locate near universities, thereby boosting into cures and treatments, and their the local economy and providing staff and students care for patients. additional employment. In 2005/06 over 269,000 students Highly skilled occupations will make in higher education studied a variety up an increasing part of the workforce of health related subjects, an increase over the coming years and, as Lord of 22% since 2001/02. Leitch’s Report in December 2006 showed, increasing higher-level skills 11% of doctors and dentists who work will have a significant impact on the as consultants in the NHS are employed UK’s overall productivity. by universities.

The percentage of adults holding Selected subjects studied 2005/06 a degree or equivalent has increased from 19 to 27% over the past 10 years Overall number of students 2,336,000 but this is still well below the 40% Medicine, dentistry, subjects allied 369,000 achieved in Canada and America. to health Local businesses benefit from taking Biological sciences 155,200 students on sandwich placements Veterinary science 4,400 or foundation degrees and as flexible Creative arts and design 156,300 part-time labour. Engineering and technology 136,600 Graduates are more likely to work in Computer science 120,100 the region of their university, for example 62% of graduates in the North West stay Architecture, building and planning 56,400 and work in the region post graduation. Law 89,600 Business and administrative studies 304,400 Education including teacher training 207,700 Students in the community

Student volunteering Car parking Students actively contribute to local 63% of students never drive and a further life through their participation in 14% only drive occasionally. However, volunteering schemes. These may on-street car parking is an issue that can include conservation work, working cause concern among local residents. with children, running tea parties for To address some of these issues some older people and supporting people universities set up or subsidise bus with disabilities. The commitment services, which link campuses to the can be substantial. In 2003 there were town or city centre and the local area. 42,000 student volunteers who gave Such bus services play a key role in 3,459,653 hours to their community. the wider community, as they provide public transport to local residents Social justice and mobility and reduce car use. Universities play a key role in ensuring social justice and increased social Anti-social behaviour mobility. Widening participation, to ensure Examples of anti-social behaviour that all those with the ability to benefit by students are occasionally highlighted from higher education are able to access in the local press. Universities, while it, is a key aim of universities. Projects not being , tackle these to widen participation include schemes in loco parentis issues in many ways, providing late- to attract those with no family history night bus services from bars and clubs, of higher education. This may include developing ‘red card’ schemes with visits to primary and secondary schools, the local police and using university summer schools and mentoring disciplinary procedures where needed. projects. Universities also work with However, it is important to note that asylum seekers and refugees providing graduates and students are least education and training. likely to commit crime and that the vast majority of incidents are minor – Local business although of course these can cause Students buying goods locally make distress to those affected. a significant contribution to the local Many universities have community liaison economy, ensuring the viability of officers, and operate helplines for local some retail businesses and helping residents to report and resolve problems. to increase the range of goods, For more information or help, contact services and attractions available your local university. to the community.

Accommodation UNITE While many students live at home when ‘Research from UNITE’s 2007 Student at university, including many of the 40% Experience Report shows that students of students who study part-time, there living with a corporate accommodation are also large numbers who move to the provider feel the greatest sense region and will need accommodation. of community.’ This can be provided through university- UNITE is the UK’s largest student managed accommodation, such as hospitality provider and is home to halls of residence, and through private some 35,000 students in 30 towns and housing within local communities. cities across the UK. UNITE has worked Universities contribute to the extensively to create safe and secure regeneration of inner cities and rundown environments for their customers as areas through the building of new well as working collaboratively with the accommodation and reclaiming of empty local community and their stakeholders property. In 2003/04 HEIs obtained to ensure a consultative approach on European Union and Regional all new accommodation developments. Development Agency grants worth more This in turn creates more balanced than £200m for urban and regional communities where students feel at regeneration. home and actively pursue working, contributing and ultimately staying However this inflow of students can result within the community post graduation. in unintended consequences that can cause friction within the local community. UNITE believes that good quality These may include: students as noisy student accommodation is beneficial neighbours –either through late-night for communities and the regeneration parties or coming home late; students can of cities. We would like to talk to you be away from their houses for large parts about how we can work together to of the year –tempting burglars to the area; enhance the growth and development and house prices can rise when private of university cities in the future. landlords buy houses to let to students, For more information about UNITE which may lead to the displacement visit www.unite-group.co.uk of local families. Universities are committed to working in partnership to tackle these challenges, as well as fully realising the opportunities. This partnership involves consultation and discussions between different Supported by organisations and stakeholders –HEIs, local authorities and central government, students’ unions, private rented sector and community groups. Final word

Planning Having a university in the community has other benefits relating to citizenship The 2004 Planning and Compulsory and values. A 2003 report from HEFCE, Purchase Act and the subsequent the English higher education funding Planning Policy Statement 1 (PPS1) council, highlighted the wide ranging introduced the importance of community non-economic benefits of higher involvement in planning processes education. These included greater racial and introduced the necessity of tolerance among graduates, a higher a ‘Statement of Community Involvement’. probability of voting in general elections This development aims for good and greater community activity through community liaison to continue to grow participation in voluntary associations. in importance.

The university sector is also currently Key sources monitoring developments as part of the ongoing Government consultation ‘Studentification’: a guide to opportunities, surrounding the Barker Review of Land challenges and practice Use Planning and taxation changes Universities UK/SCOP/LGA (2006) relating to planning-gain supplement The Economic Impact of higher education (PGS) as announced in the December institutions on the UK economy 2006 Pre-Budget Report. Our aim will Universities UK (2006) be to ensure that the proposed taxation changes don’t adversely affect new Higher level learning – Universities public benefit building developments. and employers working together Universities UK (2006) Parliamentary interest is increasing in 2007 with active consideration being Student Experience Report given to establishing an all-party MORI/UNITE (2006) parliamentary group on balanced Participating and performing: communities looking at students and sport and higher education in the UK the communities in which they live. Universities UK (2004) Partners in Care – Universities and the NHS Universities UK’s publications can Universities UK (2003) be found at: http://bookshop.Universitiesuk.ac.uk/ Revisiting the benefits of higher education This leaflet is a companion to HEFCE (2003) the Universities UK/SCOP/LGA publication, ‘Studentification’: UK University Commercialisation a guide to opportunities, challenges Survey: Financial Year 2003 and practice. UNICO (2004) Where we are

Universities UK Woburn House 20 , WC1H 9HQ telephone +44 (0)20 7419 4111 fax +44 (0)20 7388 8649 email [email protected] website www.UniversitiesUK.ac.uk © Universities UK ISBN 1 84036 150 6 March 2007 For additional information including policy documents and publications visit the Universities UK website: www.UniversitiesUK.ac.uk

The impact of universities Northern Ireland South East

Universities: Universities employ over 340,000 staff; 01 Queen’s University of Belfast 01 Canterbury Christ Church University 1.2% of the total UK workforce. 02 University of Ulster 02 Oxford Brookes University engaging with local communities 03 Royal Holloway, For every 100 university jobs, a further 04 Southampton 99 are created by ‘knock-on’ effects. Scotland 05 The UK higher education generates about 01 Glasgow Caledonian University 06 The £4 billion in foreign earnings annually. 02 Heriot-Watt University 07 The 08 Education and training exports are worth 03 Napier University 09 University of Buckingham a total of £10.2 billion. 04 Queen Margaret University 05 The 10 University ‘spin-out’ companies are worth 06 The 11 £3 billion to the UK economy. 07 The 12 13 University of Southampton In 2005/06 there were 2.3 million students 08 The 14 enrolled in UUK member universities 09 The 15 and colleges. 10 University of Abertay Dundee 11 Over the last ten years the proportion of 12 University of Paisley Eastern England adults in the UK holding a degree or 13 equivalent has increased from 19 to 27%. 14 University of Strathclyde 01 05, 06 In 2005/06 there were 223,900 02 international students studying in the Wales 03 University of Bedfordshire UK, as well as 106,200 from the EU. 04 UK campuses are the second most 01 05 University of East Anglia international campuses among OECD 02 North East Wales Institute of 06 countries: 78 UK HEIs have students Higher Education 07 University of Hertfordshire from 100 countries or more. 03 Swansea Institute of Higher Education 08, 10 04 Trinity College West Midlands In 2003/04 in England the participation 05 University of Glamorgan rate for 18–30 year olds in higher 13 06 University of Wales 01 education was 44%. 07 University of Wales, Aberystwyth 02 07 40% of all students are part-time students. 08 University of Wales, Bangor 03 09 University of Wales, Lampeter 04 Over a working life, the representative 10 University of Wales Institute, Cardiff 05 The 02, 03, 04, 11 individual with an undergraduate 01, 09, 14 11 University of Wales, Newport 06 The University of Wolverhampton qualification will earn between 20% 12 12 University of Wales, Swansea 07 University of Central England and 25% more than his or her equivalent in Birmingham holding two or more A-levels. London 08 Universities have high quality and varied 09 University of Worcester sports facilities –available for public use 01 Birkbeck College about 70% of the time. 02 Brunel University East Midlands 02 Students contribute to the local community 03 Central School of Speech and Drama in many ways such as volunteering 04 City University 01 helping older people, young kids and 05 Goldsmiths College 02 01, 03 people with disabilities. 06 Guildhall School of Music and Drama 03 The Nottingham Trent University 04 07 Imperial College London 04 The University of Northampton Over 10,000 academic staff days were 08 Institute of Education 05 University of Derby 02 dedicated to free public lectures in 2003/04 01 09 King’s College London 06 for over 400,000 attendees. 05 10 07 Universities provide cultural activities 11 London Business School 08 for the community such as art galleries, 12 London Metropolitan University concerts and theatres. 13 London School of Economics North East and Political Science 14 London School of Hygiene 01 02 and Tropical Medicine 02 University of Durham 08 15 London South Bank University 03 University of Northumbria at Newcastle 16 04 07 01, 05 17 Queen Mary, University of London 05 University of Teesside 09 04 18 Roehampton University 03 01 19 Royal Academy of Music 06 Yorkshire and Humber 20 Royal College of Art 05, 07, 08 21 Royal College of Music 03, 04, 11 02, 06 01 Leeds Metropolitan University 22 St George’s, University of London 02 Sheffield Hallam University 23 School of Oriental and African Studies 08 07 03 The University of Huddersfield 10 24 Thames Valley University 04 The 25 The 02 05 The 03 26 University College London 03, 08 06 The 27 University of East London 05 07 04 28 02 08 29 05 University of London 01, 06 30 University of the Arts London 06 North West 01, 05, 07 31 University of Westminster 07 02 01 South West 08 02 09 04 03 Liverpool Hope University 04 01 Bournemouth University 09 04 Liverpool John Moores University 05 02 05 The Manchester Metropolitan University 09 02 03 06 06 The 04 03 04 05 01 07 The 05 University of Gloucestershire 02, 10 07 08 The 06 University of Plymouth 09 University of Central Lancashire 03, 12 07 University of the West of England, Bristol 05 11 10 11 01, 06, 10 03, 07 12 02 03 01-31 01, 06 14 07 Notes 04, 13 08, 15 Where a university has more than 11 04 one campus, we have used the 01 administrative centre as the location. The regional allocation is based on that of the HERO website, 06 www.hero.ac.uk Supported by The map reflects current Universities UK Members.