Higher education in Wales
Our universities act as critical economic anchors in all parts of Wales, and the positive impact of higher education in Wales can be seen in communities throughout the country.
Higher education makes an important contribution to the people and places of Wales - feeding the social and cultural wellbeing of the nation, and powering the economy through job creation, world-class education, and groundbreaking research and innovation.
Universities have a vital role to play in supporting the delivery of an ambitious vision for Wales - delivering skills and education to greater numbers of people, and leading the way on scientific breakthroughs that shape our understanding of the world and how we live in it.
Facts and figures
- 149,000 students attend Welsh universities each year including 25,000 international students from 140 countries
- Welsh universities generate over £5.3bn for the Welsh economy and over 61,700 jobs across the country
- 94% of graduates in employment or further training within 15 months of graduating
- Active Welsh graduate start-ups account for almost 13% of the UK total - the highest rate per capita in the UK
- Welsh universities help equip more than 40,000 graduates for the workforce each year
- Welsh universities play a crucial role in the research and innovation landscape, accounting for 28% of Wales' R&D activity.
- In the latest UK-wide assessment exercise, Wales led the UK for research impact, with 89% of Welsh research considered internationally excellent or world-leading.
- All Welsh universities are accredited Living Wage Employers
