In terms of R&D expenditure, Yorkshire and Humber is one of the UK’s top performers outside London.
The region’s universities attract academic research investment worth £347 million and account for 42% of R&D investment in Yorkshire and Humber, compared to 20% nationally. The investment, together with over 100 university research facilities receiving the highest research ratings in Europe, offers businesses access to a wealth of expertise and potential innovation on which to capitalise.
An award-winning network of collaborative research centres enables businesses to access cutting-edge expertise in key industry sectors from the region’s universities. So far these centres have collaborated on 1,700 commercial projects.
Academic excellence facts
- The University of York was recently ranked 6 out of 172 higher education institutions for research, along with a 5-star rated department of computer science. 17 of its 22 subjects are rated 5 or 5-star and it is number nine overall in the Sunday Times University Guides top - 10 rankings.
- The University of Hull was recently short-listed for University of the Year by The Times. Ten subject areas are the top five nationally.
- The University of Leeds is the UK’s second largest university, offering 700 undergraduate and 470 postgraduate courses. It has 15 National Teaching Fellows – more than any other university in England or Northern Ireland.
- The University of Sheffield was described as ‘a top university across the board’ by the Virgin 2008 Alternative Guide to British Universities and its alumni include no fewer than five Novel prize winners.
- The University of Bradford is consistently ranked top for graduate employment in Yorkshire and holds joint first place in the North of England (Time University Guide 2008).
Investing in academic research
- The R&D investment by higher-education institutions in Yorkshire & Humber is 12% above the EU average.
- Our universities attract academic research investment worth a massive £347m, accounting for 42% of R&D investment in Yorkshire & Humber (compared to a national 20%).
- Within the UK, only universities in London spend more on research (as a percentage of GVA) than ours.
- Almost 100 subject areas have received the highest grading for their research, recognising their national and international excellence.
- Research income from UK industry, commerce and public corporations increased by 10% in Yorkshire & Humber (2003-4 to 2004-5) compared to a 1% decline nationally.