Beyond the rankings: top UK universities revealed

Thursday 7th September 2023

Our recent study highlights the prominent universities and regions that have produced significant business leaders from 2003-2022.
University of the Arts London (UAL) emerges as a leading institution for producing business founders with a notable 8.44% rate.
Traditional heavyweights, the University of Cambridge and University of Oxford, consistently rank within the top 10 for producing both Founders and CEOs/MDs.
While London leads in the cultivation of business founders, for CEO and MD roles, regions such as Scotland, the North West, and Yorkshire display strong results.

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We've conducted a thorough analysis of 121 universities, studying an extensive 9.7 million alumni profiles on LinkedIn to trace the educational backgrounds of current entrepreneurs and business leaders across the UK.

Recent studies provide insightful clarity into the relationship between university rankings and the real-world accomplishments of their graduates. This analysis reveals which UK universities have been instrumental in shaping top-tier Founders and CEOs, uncovering several intriguing patterns…

Founders

The University of the Arts London (UAL) stands out, with an impressive 8.44% of its graduates pursuing entrepreneurial ventures. This is notable given its 19th position in the Guardian ranking. Renowned institutions, the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, continue to be consistent performers in this domain.

London, known for its vibrant entrepreneurial scene, remains a hub for innovation. Impressively, 14 of the top 25 universities producing business founders are based in London.

Index Rank:	University:	University Region:	2023 Guardian University Ranking:	% that went on to be founders:
1	University of the Arts London (UAL)	London	19	8.44
2	London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	London	4	8.35
3	Goldsmiths, University of London	London	106	7.29
4	SOAS University of London	London	86	7.19
5	University of Cambridge	SE	3	7.1
6	Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh	Scotland	45	6.89
7	University of Oxford	Midlands	2	6.37
8	Imperial College, London	London	5	6.32
9	University College London (UCL)	London	9	6.03
10	Falmouth University (Cornwall)	SW	97	5.81
11	University of Westminster	London	116	5.41
12	Kings College London	London	29	5.27
13	London Metropolitan University	London	104	5.12
14	City, University of London	London	58	5.03
15	Middlesex University (London)	London	111	4.99
16	Arts University Bournemouth	SW	70	4.72
17	University of St Andrews	Scotland	1	4.68
18	The University of Edinburgh	Scotland	12	4.68
18	University for the Creative Arts (UCA)	SE	49	4.68
20	Royal Holloway, University of London	London	33	4.29
21	University of Warwick	Midlands	8	4.27
22	University of Sussex	SE	66	4.26
23	University of Bath	SW	7	4.11
24	Kingston University London	London	55	4.08
25	St Mary's University, Twickenham, London	London	70	4.07
26	Brunel University (London)	London	116	4.07
27	Queen Mary University of London	London	54	4.02
28	University of East London	London	113	3.99
29	University of Brighton	SE	92	3.95
30	University of Nottingham	Midlands	63	3.92
31	Oxford Brookes University	SE	42	3.89
32	University of Bristol	SW	16	3.88
33	University of Roehampton (London)	London	111	3.87
34	Loughborough University	Midlands	10	3.81
35	University Of Cumbria	NW	115	3.75
36	University of Leeds	Yorkshire	20	3.69
37	The University of Manchester	NW	30	3.67
37	University Of Surrey	SE	24	3.67
39	Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh	Scotland	89	3.54
40	Durham University	NE	6	3.53
41	University of West London	London	23	3.49
42	Lancaster University	NW	14	3.48
43	University of Exeter	SW	15	3.41
44	University of Essex	SE	42	3.4
44	Buckinghamshire New University	SE	70	3.4
44	University of Kent	SE	55	3.4
47	Bournemouth University	SW	108	3.39
48	Bath Spa University	SW	89	3.34
49	London South Bank University	London	96	3.27
50	Abertay University (Dundee)	Scotland	85	3.26
51	Cardiff Metropolitan University	Wales	73	3.25
51	University of Gloucestershire	SW	88	3.25
53	University of Bradford	Yorkshire	80	3.22
53	UWE Bristol	SW	24	3.22
55	Solent University (Southampton)	SE	101	3.19
55	University of Greenwich	London	98	3.19
57	University of Reading	SE	61	3.17
57	University of Birmingham	Midlands	27	3.17
59	University of Leicester	Midlands	35	3.15
60	Newcastle University	NE	63	3.14
61	Staffordshire University	Midlands	68	3.1
62	University of Chichester	SE	37	3.09
62	University of Liverpool	NW	40	3.09
64	York St John University	Yorkshire	77	3.07
64	Wrexham Glyndwr University	Wales	94	3.07
66	Aston University	Midlands	22	3.05
67	University of York	Yorkshire	21	3.04
68	University of Hertfordshire	London	74	3.01
69	Edinburgh Napier University	Scotland	83	2.99
69	University of Southampton	SE	16	2.99
71	Leeds Beckett University	Yorkshire	102	2.98
72	The University of Sheffield	Yorkshire	30	2.97
73	Nottingham Trent University	Midlands	62	2.93
74	University of Bedfordshire	SE	121	2.91
75	University of East Anglia (UEA)	SE	27	2.88
76	University of Salford	NW	89	2.85
77	Bangor University	Wales	82	2.84
77	Cardiff University	Wales	35	2.84
79	Northumbria University	NE	46	2.83
80	Coventry University	Midlands	51	2.82
81	University of South Wales	Wales	53	2.81
82	University of Wales Trinity Saint David	Wales	74	2.79
83	The Manchester Metropolitan University	NW	84	2.76
84	University of Aberdeen	Scotland	13	2.75
85	University of Derby	Midlands	48	2.73
86	University of Northampton	Midlands	95	2.72
86	De Montfort University (Leicester)	Midlands	120	2.72
86	University of Dundee	Scotland	44	2.72
89	University of Strathclyde	Scotland	16	2.71
90	University of Hull	Yorkshire	59	2.7
91	Canterbury Christ Church University	SE	116	2.67
91	University of Glasgow	Scotland	11	2.67
93	University of Chester	NW	74	2.66
94	Anglia Ruskin University (ARU Cambridge)	SE	109	2.65
94	University of Stirling	Scotland	59	2.65
96	University of Winchester	SE	110	2.64
97	Birmingham City University	Midlands	100	2.63
98	University of Bolton	NW	38	2.62
99	University of Plymouth	SW	63	2.59
99	University of Sunderland	NE	50	2.59
101	University of Portsmouth	SE	67	2.55
102	University of Huddersfield	Yorkshire	78	2.53
103	Robert Gordon University (Aberdeen)	Scotland	93	2.43
104	University of Suffolk	SE	69	2.42
104	Leeds Trinity University	Yorkshire	113	2.42
104	University of Central Lancashire	NW	104	2.42
107	University of Wolverhampton	Midlands	106	2.41
108	University of Worcester	Midlands	102	2.4
109	University of Lincoln	Midlands	34	2.39
109	Keele University	Midlands	32	2.39
111	Liverpool Hope University	NW	99	2.37
112	Aberystwyth University	Wales	40	2.31
113	Swansea University	Wales	26	2.16
114	Liverpool John Moores University	NW	87	2.15
114	University of the West Scotland (UWS)	Scotland	119	2.15
116	Glasgow Caledonian University	Scotland	52	2.14
117	Queen's University Belfast	Ireland	46	2.1
118	Teesside University	NE	80	2.09
119	Sheffield Hallam University	Yorkshire	78	2.07
120	Ulster University	Ireland	38	1.87
121	Edge Hill University	NW	55	1.71

While the likes of Cambridge and Oxford remain strongholds for entrepreneurial education, the limelight is shared by unexpected stars like the University of Cumbria and Goldsmiths.

CEO's & MD's

In the realm of corporate leadership, Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh has set a benchmark. A commendable 15.76% of its students have transitioned into CEO or MD roles. Equally intriguing is the University Of Cumbria, positioned at 115th in the Guardian rankings, which has secured a reputable second position.

London's representation diminishes slightly within the top echelons of CEOs and MDs, with 9 of the top 25 universities located in the capital. However, the South East emerges as a key player in this arena.

Index Rank:	University:	University Region:	2023 Guardian University Ranking:	% that went on to be CEO’s or MD’s:
1	Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh	Scotland	45	15.76
2	University Of Cumbria	NW	115	8.22
3	London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	London	4	7.67
4	University of Cambridge	SE	3	6.74
5	SOAS University of London	London	86	6.14
6	University of Oxford	Midlands	2	5.93
7	Wrexham Glyndwr University	Wales	94	5.62
8	University of Bolton	NW	38	5.58
9	York St John University	Yorkshire	77	5.54
10	Middlesex University (London)	London	111	5.53
11	University of Dundee	Scotland	44	5.5
12	London Metropolitan University	London	104	5.44
13	St Mary's University, Twickenham, London	London	70	5.34
14	Buckinghamshire New University	SE	70	5.26
15	University of Bradford	Yorkshire	80	5.2
16	University of Suffolk	SE	69	5.12
17	University of Chichester	SE	37	4.93
18	Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh	Scotland	89	4.83
19	Leeds Trinity University	Yorkshire	113	4.77
20	University of East London	London	113	4.76
21	City, University of London	London	58	4.73
22	Imperial College, London	London	5	4.68
23	Oxford Brookes University	SE	42	4.67
24	University of Gloucestershire	SW	88	4.65
25	London South Bank University	London	96	4.63
26	University of Leicester	Midlands	35	4.61
27	Abertay University (Dundee)	Scotland	85	4.55
28	University of Westminster	London	116	4.52
29	University of West London	London	23	4.44
30	University of Roehampton (London)	London	111	4.42
31	University of Bedfordshire	SE	121	4.38
32	Liverpool Hope University	NW	99	4.33
33	University of Derby	Midlands	48	4.32
34	University of Liverpool	NW	40	4.31
35	Royal Holloway, University of London	London	33	4.28
36	University of Wales Trinity Saint David	Wales	74	4.27
37	University of Sunderland	NE	50	4.26
38	Cardiff Metropolitan University	Wales	73	4.25
39	Anglia Ruskin University (ARU Cambridge)	SE	109	4.24
40	University of Salford	NW	89	4.23
41	Goldsmiths, University of London	London	106	4.22
41	Robert Gordon University (Aberdeen)	Scotland	93	4.22
43	University of Northampton	Midlands	95	4.17
43	University of St Andrews	Scotland	1	4.17
45	University of Winchester	SE	110	4.16
46	Kings College London	London	29	4.13
47	Falmouth University (Cornwall)	SW	97	4.12
48	Arts University Bournemouth	SW	70	4.07
49	University of South Wales	Wales	53	4.04
49	University of Stirling	Scotland	59	4.04
51	University Of Surrey	SE	24	4.03
51	Kingston University London	London	55	4.03
53	University of Hull	Yorkshire	59	4.02
54	Bangor University	Wales	82	3.99
55	Brunel University (London)	London	116	3.96
56	University of Reading	SE	61	3.95
57	University of Worcester	Midlands	102	3.94
57	Keele University	Midlands	32	3.94
59	University of Wolverhampton	Midlands	106	3.91
60	Staffordshire University	Midlands	68	3.89
61	University of Greenwich	London	98	3.86
62	University of Bath	SW	7	3.84
63	Lancaster University	NW	14	3.83
64	University of Chester	NW	74	3.8
64	Aston University	Midlands	22	3.8
66	Solent University (Southampton)	SE	101	3.74
67	University of Warwick	Midlands	8	3.71
67	University of Strathclyde	Scotland	16	3.71
69	Aberystwyth University	Wales	40	3.67
70	Canterbury Christ Church University	SE	116	3.64
71	Edinburgh Napier University	Scotland	83	3.61
71	University College London (UCL)	London	9	3.61
73	Durham University	NE	6	3.6
73	Bournemouth University	SW	108	3.6
75	Leeds Beckett University	Yorkshire	102	3.59
76	University of the Arts London (UAL)	London	19	3.56
77	The University of Manchester	NW	30	3.55
78	University of Essex	SE	42	3.54
79	University of Brighton	SE	92	3.51
80	Loughborough University	Midlands	10	3.5
81	University of Huddersfield	Yorkshire	78	3.48
82	Bath Spa University	SW	89	3.47
83	Teesside University	NE	80	3.4
84	University of Hertfordshire	London	74	3.36
85	University of Sussex	SE	66	3.34
86	University of Aberdeen	Scotland	13	3.29
87	The University of Edinburgh	Scotland	12	3.28
88	University for the Creative Arts (UCA)	SE	49	3.26
89	University of Birmingham	Midlands	27	3.23
89	Coventry University	Midlands	51	3.23
89	Northumbria University	NE	46	3.23
92	University of Portsmouth	SE	67	3.22
93	University of the West Scotland (UWS)	Scotland	119	3.21
94	University of Central Lancashire	NW	104	3.2
94	University of Leeds	Yorkshire	20	3.2
94	De Montfort University (Leicester)	Midlands	120	3.2
97	University of Lincoln	Midlands	34	3.19
98	Nottingham Trent University	Midlands	62	3.15
99	University of Nottingham	Midlands	63	3.14
100	UWE Bristol	SW	24	3.13
101	University of Kent	SE	55	3.12
102	Birmingham City University	Midlands	100	3.11
103	Glasgow Caledonian University	Scotland	52	3.1
104	Cardiff University	Wales	35	3.08
104	University of Plymouth	SW	63	3.08
106	University of East Anglia (UEA)	SE	27	2.99
107	Queen Mary University of London	London	54	2.94
108	The University of Sheffield	Yorkshire	30	2.93
109	Liverpool John Moores University	NW	87	2.91
110	University of Bristol	SW	16	2.9
110	University of York	Yorkshire	21	2.9
112	The Manchester Metropolitan University	NW	84	2.87
113	University of Exeter	SW	15	2.86
113	Edge Hill University	NW	55	2.86
115	Newcastle University	NE	63	2.83
116	University of Southampton	SE	16	2.8
117	Sheffield Hallam University	Yorkshire	78	2.77
118	Swansea University	Wales	26	2.68
119	Ulster University	Ireland	38	2.62
120	Queen's University Belfast	Ireland	46	2.34
121	University of Glasgow	Scotland	11	2.18

Regional Highlights

Founders

The southern regions of the UK have solidified their reputation as centres for entrepreneurship. London, celebrated for its international appeal and dynamic business environment, leads with 5.04%.

It's closely followed by the South West and South East regions, registering 3.77% and 3.45% respectively, affirming the South's role in cultivating enterprising individuals.

Index Rank:	University Region:	Average % that went on to be founders:
1	London	5.04
2	SW	3.77
3	SE	3.45
4	Scotland	3.30
5	Midlands	3.16

CEO's & MD's

When it comes to leadership within established organisations, the northern regions take centre stage. Scotland, renowned for its academic excellence and a rich tradition of innovation, ranks first at 4.68%.

The North West, experiencing notable growth across various sectors, follows closely at 4.14%. Yorkshire's inclusion in the top five further emphasises the northern regions' influence in moulding business leaders.

Index Rank:	University Region:	Average % that went on to be CEO’s or MD’s:
1	Scotland	4.68
2	London	4.56
3	NW	4.14
4	SE	4.03
5	Yorkshire	3.84

Although London and the South East have a presence in both categories, their dominance is more evident in the Founders category.

The data paints a compelling story, illustrating the UK as a nation with diverse opportunities. While the southern regions appear more inclined towards entrepreneurship, the northern areas are emerging as breeding grounds for corporate leadership. This dichotomy highlights the balanced, dynamic nature of the UK's academic and commercial landscape.

John Atkinson, Head of Commercial Business at Novuna Business Cash Flow, commented, "Our research underlines that success in the business sector isn't exclusively from premier universities as traditionally perceived. Several universities, often not highlighted in typical rankings, are proving pivotal in shaping future founders and business frontrunners. We believe our findings will provide a new viewpoint for the next generation of ambitious professionals."

About the Research

Field: 29th - 30th August 2023

Sample: 121 UK universities, Alumni between 2003-2022.

Methodology

To ascertain the number of entrepreneurial alumni, analysis was conducted of the 'Alumni' segment on the official LinkedIn page for each university. Our criteria filtered for alumni who held the job title "Founder", “CEO”, “Managing Director” during the period from 2003 to 2022. The results of this analysis yielded the figures presented in the “% that went on to be founders:”, “% that went on to be CEO’s or MD’s:” and “Average % that went on to be CEO’s or MD’s: columns.

Beyond the rankings: top UK universities revealed

Founders

CEO's & MD's

Regional Highlights

Founders

CEO's & MD's

About the Research

Methodology

The 'Guardian 2023 Rank' was sourced directly from the Guardian University Guide, available here.

Full research can be found here.

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