This report by the Higher Education Policy Institute looks into the persistent pay gap between genders within the higher education sector, despite notable advancements in female representation.
The median gender pay gap across the sector stands at 11.9 per cent, outperforming the broader UK average of 14.4 per cent. On average, the higher education sector will take 14 years to close its gender pay gap, compared to 18 years for all UK employment sectors.
However, variations between institutions are wide-ranging, with median gender pay gaps in 2022 reported between 0 per cent and 41 per cent. Regent’s University London, The Royal College of Music, Solent University, Staffordshire University, and the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance all have a median gender pay gap of 0 per cent. Meanwhile, the University of Buckingham has a median gender pay gap of 41 per cent.
Some institutions have made significant progress over time – and some have made much less. Several institutions have increased their gender pay gap over 5 years – and at this rate of progress will never reach pay parity. Others have made small amounts of progress over the past five years and will take many years to close their gender pay gap.
The report explores the structural barriers to pay equity, including employment structures, bonus culture, and intersectionality, offering a nuanced understanding of the challenges and progress within higher education.