The region boasts one of the largest concentrations of universities in Europe, including the UK's most popular, the University of Leeds. There are 8 universities based in the region, as well as the Humber campus of the University of Lincoln and the Open University. The region also boasts three higher education colleges and 42 further education colleges.
Together, York and Sheffield universities have more research staff than Oxford or Cambridge working in departments graded at the highest level. Yorkshire's universities also spend more on R&D than any area outside London, a whopping £317 million (relative to total GVA).
Our universities attract more students than anywhere else in the country, producing 13% of the UK's graduates, enabling regional businesses to recruit some of the best there is.
The region's universities are internationally renowned for their work in areas from computer sciences and electronics to metal cutting technology. They act as a critical source of ideas and business concepts with tremendous potential. As a region, our universities are consistently ranked in the top 3 regions (nationally) for spin off companies.
The region's universities spend £317 million a year on research, much of it geared towards the needs of business. What's more, the region produces over a tenth of the country's total number of graduates.
Knowledge transfer is facilitated through a number of networks. Most universities have innovation centres, science parks or a portfolio of spin-out companies through which to channel business support.
Particularly significant in this area are initiatives at York, where a Bioincubator to create new bioscience companies has been opened, and at Leeds, where an Innovation Fund joint venture with Forward Group will invest £20 million in the development of spin-out companies.