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But according to data from an Equality Challenge Unit report, almost a quarter of the 12,680 academics who left their university over that period moved to another higher education institution.

Meanwhile, about 35 per cent left employment altogether, with almost a third of those retiring, according to the report .

Four per cent left their university to work in the NHS or a medical or dental practice, and just 1 per cent moved to a research institute. A further 4 per cent went on to study in the UK.

In total, 12 per cent of the academics moved out of the UK to work abroad, with half of these taking employment at universities overseas.

holly.else@tesglobal.com