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Data and Statistics

Background

Good quality data and statistics provided in a timely way via web- based systems; in-house spreadsheets etc. are essential tools for those working in admissions, student recruitment, widening participation/access, marketing, planning and other sections in HE provider institutions. SPA is working to support HEIs make the most of the data available from a variety of sources including UCAS, other external bodies and their own in-house data.

Data is used in many ways including:

• informing and supporting the planning of admissions targets
• targeting widening participation activities and encouraging applications from under-represented groups
• focusing marketing and customer relationship building activities
• providing contextual data to support admissions decision-making
• providing management information on the current applications round or application data over a period
• monitoring and evaluating the success of admissions policies
• providing the basis for tracking student progress and achievement at graduation
• informing the validation process for new courses and predicting the sustainability of existing ones.

SPA is working with colleagues in HE to explore the good practice and principles of contextual data, to examine how UCAS data can be used more effectively and how institution data can be used to monitor and evaluate the success of processes and policies. SPA worked closely with the UCAS Admissions Data and Statistics Officer in identifying the data available from UCAS and investigating the use of UCAS data in HE admissions across the UK. Our Admissions and Student Recruitment pages include information produced as part of the work carried out with UCAS and from the information gathered at SPA visits and meetings with other stakeholders. Work around the provision of various pieces of contextual data to support admissions decision-making has made significant progress during 2011. See our contextual data pages for further information.

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Reviewed and updated: December 2011