Universities could do more to unlock the entrepreneurial aspirations of students, claims NCGE research

Universities in England must do more to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs by adopting a wider view of entrepreneurship and embedding a culture of enterprise and entrepreneurship that engages students right across the campus, according to a report launched today (Monday 12 November) by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE).

Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in Higher Education is the largest survey ever conducted of enterprise and entrepreneurship activity and provision in Higher Education in England and included 122 universities serving a student population of around 1.75 million. The report maps the scale and scope of provision, engagement and climate for enterprise and entrepreneurship education in the sector.

Download the report here:

 
Key findings include:

  • 11 per cent of students are currently engaged in enterprise and entrepreneurship related
  • activities – the Student Engagement Rate (SER)
  • 53 per cent male SER, 47 per cent female SER
  • 61 per cent of provision is led by business and management schools (nine per cent engineering; eight per cent creative; one per cent health)
  • In-curricula provision accounts for 36 per cent of activity
  • Extra-curricula provision accounts for 64 per cent of activity
  • 85 per cent of funding is from the public purse
  • Fewer than fifty per cent of universities display entrepreneurial characteristics
  • Significant variances in provision across regions

The NCGE survey advocates a wide world-life view of entrepreneurship and provision that extends across all disciplines to reflect the growing importance of entrepreneurial approaches right across the economy and society. 

Ian Robertson, NCGE chief executive, believes the survey can be a real catalyst for change:

“We would like to see all universities displaying entrepreneurial characteristics and all students exposed to innovative enterprise and entrepreneurship learning opportunities. Current levels of engagement and provision are unacceptable and damaging to our economic and social prospects.

“For the first time we now have quantitative data from which to benchmark future progress across subjects, faculties and disciplines, regionally, nationally and internationally. We will continue to work with all key stakeholders, drawing on our studies into good practice, to improve engagement rates, provision and outcomes.”