Majority of North West graduates and business leaders see value in university education

Research from Universities UK has found roughly two thirds of graduates (65%) and three quarters of business leaders (75%) in the North West believe that going to university builds vital transferable skills for a career.

The research, based on the perspectives of 3,500 UK graduates and 3,500 business leaders (business owners, founders, board members, CEOs, directors and senior managers) across the UK, also reveals that 77% of graduates in the North West say going to university enabled them to build skills that have proved professionally valuable. And, for 74% graduates and 83% of business leaders in the North West, going to university helped to build their self-confidence.

According to the survey, commissioned by Universities UK to quantify the value of going to university, 58% of business leaders in the North West think graduates typically progress faster through the ranks of their business; a finding that could be linked to the insight that 72% also believe that going to university gives graduates good sector and industry knowledge.

Vivienne Stern, Chief Executive of Universities UK, commented:

“This new research clearly demonstrates the value that graduates benefit from when they go to university in the UK. The benefits captured by this research are numerous – from job security and career ambitions, to earnings and social mobility. They highlight how highly UK universities are regarded not just by those who attend them, but also by those who hire their graduates and benefit from their skills.

“It is clear that Universities play a huge role not only in preparing graduates for employment, but also in teaching them crucial, transferable life skills that will serve them throughout their career. Ultimately, what this research demonstrates is that our universities play a powerful role in helping graduates forge successful career paths that can help return the UK economy to growth and continue to power our public services.”

Findings are based on bespoke consumer research conducted by Censuswide during July 2023 among 3,505 UK graduates and 3,506 business leaders of a nationally representative make up.