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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.

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

Full research can be found here.

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