Oxfordshire is a global centre of excellence for academia and research. Known for the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University, the county is also home to world-leading science and innovation centres. This in turn energises innovation in the many enterprises located close to campuses and in its science and business parks.
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford has been ranked #1 in the world for a record nine years (Times Higher Education 2025). It is the biggest research-based university in the UK, with research income of £778.9 million (2023/24).
It is the biggest research-based university in the UK and the UK’s most successful university for turning academic research into spinout companies – creating 205 since 2011. Of the spinouts, 166 have secured equity investment (79.0%), amassing £4.69b. They include Oxford Nanopore Technology and OrganOx.
Oxford Brookes University
Oxford Brookes University is ranked among the UK’s best young universities (THE Young University Rankings 2022).
The Oxford Brookes Bioinnovation Hub is a flagship for the university’s drive to share cutting-edge research and knowledge-led innovation in the sector, and offers lab space for rent to start up biotech companies.
World-leading science and innovation centres
Harwell Campus
More than 225 research and technology companies in health sciences, med tech, space applications and energy operate on Harwell Campus, which is also home to the 100 companies forming the UK’s largest space cluster. Key assets include the Diamond Light Source, Rosalind Franklin Institute, Faraday Institution, UK Space Agency, European Space Agency, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, and the National Quantum Computing Centre.
Culham Science Centre
Culham Science Centre hosts more than 2,000 scientists working in fields such as fusion power and autonomous vehicles. The world’s first compact fusion reactor is being designed at Culham Centre for Fusion Energy. RACE (Remote Applications in Challenging Environments), and the Culham Innovation Centre are also based there.
Oxford Science Park
Oxford Science Park is home to more than 100 companies, from start-ups to multinationals, working in areas such as drug and device development and AI within a vibrant R&D and commercial community.
Begbroke Science Park
The University of Oxford’s Begbroke Science Park focuses on advanced engineering and medical tech for 30+ world leading research & technology companies. By 2032, a £2 billion programme will co-locate engineering, physical and life sciences research to Begbroke’s global innovation campus, to work directly with industry.
Oxford Technology Park
Oxford Technology Park is a new science and technology park that offers flexible office and R&D space to the north of Oxford. The site is adjacent to London Oxford Airport, where the AEROX development for mid-tech spaces is also taking shape.
Oxford North
Oxford North is the city’s new innovation district. The 64-acre site to the north of the city will provide 300,000 square metres of laboratories workspace, 480 new homes and provide 4,500 new jobs.
Heyford Park Innovation Centre
Heyford Park Innovation Centre provides a range of commercial accommodation including warehousing, workshops, lab space and offices and is already home to over 100 businesses.
ARC Oxford
ARC Oxford is an innovation-based community close to the city centre and hosts over 60 science, technology and service companies. It offers workspace to suit all sizes of businesses and an amenity rich environment.
Bicester Motion Innovation Quarter
The Bicester Motion Innovation Quarter will establish a world-leading automotive engineering centre of excellence and offer new accommodation for international technology businesses.
Howbery Business Park
Howbery Business Park is the UK’s first solar-powered park. It offers specialist research capabilities to spinouts and start-ups in the water and environment sector.
Abingdon Science Park
Abingdon Science Park is home to scientific, research, and high technology businesses, with lab and office space development opportunities.
Milton Park
Milton Park is a science and technology park housing 250 companies and 9,000 people, and forming one of the largest science clusters in the UK.
Wootton Science Park
Wootton Science Park is a new and growing development with laboratories and workspaces.
Grove Business Park
Grove Business Park offers office, R&D and industrial buildings, strategically located between the M4 and the A34 roads. It has agreed plans for 377,000 sq ft (35,000 sqm) of new commercial space to create a modern hub for life sciences, technology and innovation businesses, with the aspiration to provide for up to 2,500 jobs.