Funding for UK higher education shifts up a gear

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The contribution from overseas sources grew the most during this period, climbing from £293 million in 1995 to £923 million in 2011, with much of that expansion attributable to increases in funding from the European Commission. Research backing from UK businesses rose by just 17 per cent, from £242 million to £284 million.

According to NAO Memorandum: Research and Development Funding for Science and Technology, published on 10 July, between 1995 and 2011, the overall annual spending on R&D in the UK grew in real terms by 37 per cent to just under £ billion.

Over this period, the government progressively reduced the amount it spent on undertaking R&D itself through public research institutions (through bodies associated with government departments and the research councils) but at the same time increased R&D funding for UK businesses and universities.

Notes: Size of cogs is proportionate to funding. Overseas includes international business, private non-profit, international organisations and the European Commission. 1995 figures given in 2011 prices.

Source: NAO Memorandum: Research and Development Funding for Science and Technology, National Audit Office

elizabeth.gibney@tsleducation.com