SIC code 85421 classifies businesses engaged in first-degree level higher education. There are 1,256 active companies registered under this code in the UK, forming a substantial sector within the national economy. It falls under Section P (Education) of the UK SIC 2007 classification system, which is used by Companies House to categorise all registered businesses.
See the full industry analysis on the First-degree level higher education industry page.
Companies in this sector average 11.1 years old, reflecting a balanced mix of established businesses and newer market participants. Growth has been exceptional recently: 51% of all active companies were formed since 2020, marking this as one of the fastest-expanding classifications. The 2010s contributed another 25%, meaning the vast majority of businesses are relatively new. Geographically, the sector is heavily concentrated: LONDON alone accounts for 39% of all active companies (485 firms). The top three locations — LONDON, BIRMINGHAM, MANCHESTER — represent 43% of the sector.
SIC code 85421 stands for "First-degree level higher education" under the UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2007) system. It belongs to Section P — Education. Companies use this code when registering with Companies House to indicate their primary business activity. The code is required for annual confirmation statements and is used by HMRC, ONS, and other government bodies for statistical and regulatory purposes.
There are currently 1,256 active companies registered under SIC code 85421 in the UK, out of 1,383 total registrations. This gives a survival rate of 91%, meaning 9% of companies registered under this code have since dissolved. These figures are based on Companies House data and updated regularly.
The top locations for first-degree level higher education companies (SIC 85421) are: LONDON (485), BIRMINGHAM (29), MANCHESTER (21), CAMBRIDGE (21), ILFORD (18). Geographic concentration can reflect local economic conditions, industry clusters, or proximity to key markets and supply chains.
The sector is growing: 51% of currently active SIC 85421 companies were formed since 2020, and 25% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate indicates ongoing demand for first-degree level higher education services in the UK.
Companies classified under SIC 85421 have an average age of 11.1 years. This suggests a balanced sector with both established players and newer entrants. Notable companies include YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY, CANTERBURY CHRIST CHURCH UNIVERSITY, LEEDS TRINITY UNIVERSITY.
Related SIC codes within the same division include: 85590 (Other education n.e.c.), 85600 (Educational support services), 85510 (Sports and recreation education), 85100 (Pre-primary education). Companies may use multiple SIC codes if they operate across several of these related activities. When registering with Companies House, businesses should select the code that best represents their primary activity.
You can search for companies with SIC code 85421 (First-degree level higher education) using UVAGATRON's company explorer, which allows filtering by SIC code, location, and company status. Alternatively, Companies House offers a basic search on their website. Our platform adds risk intelligence, director networks, and signals from 50+ government databases to each company record.
Search, filter, and analyse 1,256 companies classified under this SIC code with AI-powered risk intelligence.
Data sourced from Companies House, HM Land Registry, FCA Register, and 50+ government databases. SIC classification follows the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC 2007). Last updated: 2026-04-17.