UK universities’ international patent partnership filings top 100 a year

The information is based upon the Joint information Systems Committee (JISC) study of three decades of patent information, including recent figures from the European Patent Office's PATSTAT database.

JISC’s research is included in a new report on the value of the UK’s international research partnerships by the Russell Group of leading UK research universities.

The report revealed that, over a 30 year period, patent applications by British universities increased overall, a rise mirrored by the uplift in co-filings with international partners.

At the start of the period reviewed, 1990, international co-files amounted to just 5% of overall university applications; this leapt to 12% by 2000 and to 22% by 2020.

In recent years international co-filing partnerships have been almost evenly split between overseas businesses (43% of international partners) and foreign universities (36%), which together accounted for nearly 80% of the total sources.

JISC chief technology officer – data Phil Richards said his organisation’s research had employed sophisticated data matching techniques “to highlight the international scope of innovation and research” at UK universities.

“These international collaborations boost trade and commerce with countries around the world and directly benefit the UK economy,” commented Richards.

“The research complements recent the data compiled by on the educational background of international leaders. Both strands demonstrate a higher education sector punching above its weight on the global stage.”

Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency showed that in 2023/24 UK higher education sector received more than £1.3 billion in non-UK income for research grants and contracts.

To read the Russell Group report, The value of the UK’s international research partnerships, click here.