Publications in: Higher education

Assessing the Impact of the Minimum Wage on Young People’s Participation in Education

Published: 2 February, 2026

  London Economics’ report investigating the impact of the minimum wage on young people was published by the Low Pay Commission (LPC), an independent body that advises the government on the National Minimum Wage rates. On behalf of the LPC, London Economics used Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data to assess the impact on young people’s employment, earnings, […]

Assessing Potential Manifesto Commitments on Higher Education Funding in Wales

Published: 26 February, 2026

Ahead of the forthcoming Senedd Election on 7th May 2026, we were commissioned by the Higher Education Policy Institute to assess the resource flows and cost implications associated with the Welsh higher education (HE) funding system. In particular, we analyse the impact of the potential policy positions of Welsh political parties ahead of the 2026 […]

The Economic and Civic Impact of Middlesex University – January 2026

Published: 22 January, 2026

London Economics were commissioned to assess the economic and civic impact of Middlesex University on its local and national economy, focusing on the 2023-24 academic year. The total economic impact on the UK economy associated with the University’s activities in 2023-24 was estimated at approximately £994 million. Of this total: The value of Middlesex University’s […]

Fiscal Drag or Fiscal Sense? Freezing Student Loan Repayment Thresholds in Wales

Published: January, 2026

There has been wide-ranging coverage of the recently announced freeze to the Plan 2 student loan repayment threshold in England (e.g. The Times, Guardian, and Financial Times), as graduates and the media begin to understand that the majority of Plan 2 graduates are unlikely to ever pay off their loan balance within the 30-year repayment […]

Commission on Students in Higher Education – July 2025

Published: 19 July, 2025

As part of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Students, London Economics were commissioned by the University of the Arts London on behalf of the National Union of Students to assess the impact on the Exchequer, students/graduates, and higher education institutions of introducing maintenance grants and alternative repayment options in respect of undergraduate student loans  across […]

Understanding the Career Paths of SHAPE Graduates and Their Contribution to the UK Economy

Published: 10 June, 2025

The British Academy has published an interactive dashboard and accompanying briefings looking at the career paths of SHAPE graduates (i.e. those with a degree in Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts for People and the Economy) and their contribution to the UK economy. The analysis and reporting underpinning the publications were undertaken by London Economics […]

The Economic Impact of the Russell Group Universities’ R&D Activities

Published: 28 February, 2024

London Economics were commissioned to assess the economic impact of research and commercialisation activities undertaken by the 24 Russell Group universities on the UK economy. Our analysis estimates that the total economic impact of the Russell Group’s core research and commercialisation activities in 2021/22 was approximately £37.6 billion. In terms of the components of this […]

London Economics Awarded a Prestigious Grant from the Nuffield Foundation

Published: 14 August, 2023

London Economics are pleased to announce that we have been awarded a prestigious grant from the Nuffield Foundation to model the resource implications – for students, graduates and the Exchequer – of the current Higher Education funding systems in the four nations of the UK. The analysis aims to improve the understanding the current fees […]

The Economic and Social Impact of the University of Southampton

Published: 02 November, 2022

London Economics were commissioned by the University of Southampton to estimate their economic impact on the UK economy. The total economic impact on the UK economy associated with the University of Southampton’s activities in 2020-21 was estimated at approximately £4.14 billion. Compared to the University of Southampton’s total operational costs of approximately £561 million in […]

The Economic and Social Impact of Cardiff University in 2020-21 – October 2022

Published: 24 October, 2022

London Economics were commissioned to assess the economic and social impact of Cardiff University in the United Kingdom, focusing on the 2020-21 academic year. The total economic impact on the UK economy associated with Cardiff University’s activities in 2020-21 was estimated at approximately £3.678 billion. Compared to Cardiff University’s total operational costs of approximately £573 […]