The city’s two major universities pump a staggering £900 million into the Canterbury economy, latest analysis suggests.

The University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University accommodate about 35,000 students between them.

Economists calculate that the two institutions are worth a total of £909m to the local economy and £1.3billion to the wider South East.

Financial input includes jobs, rent, construction contracts and money spent in shops, bars and restaurants.

Researchers Viewforth Consulting have established that the universities combine as one of the largest employers in the South East.

Between them UKC and Christ Church employ the equivalent of 4,930 full-time members of staff, says Viewforth.

Its research examined the two universities’ financial impacts for the 2014/15 academic year by measuring student expenditure off-campus, income and expenditure, and employment.

Viewforth found that the universities generate 16% of jobs in the city – the equivalent of 9,900 full-time jobs. Off-campus spending by the 35,000 students pours £280m more into the city’s economy, say the researchers. It also generates a further 2,447 jobs.

Prof Helen James, Christ Church’s pro vice-chancellor (education and student experience), said: “The millions of pounds spent in our communities by our students and staff goes beyond significant economic impact on the jobs and prosperity of Kent and Medway.

“We are proud of how we, as universities, can create social as well as economic benefit through pioneering research, graduate skills and innovation, and student volunteering and industry placements.”

Viewforth director Ursula Kelly added: “The results of our analysis show the importance of the two universities to Canterbury, to Kent and to the South East region as a whole.”

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