Data and Statistics
Useful Links
The links provided on these pages are a guide to different sources of data and statistics. We are aware it is not an exhaustive list and SPA is keen to know from HEIs of any other sources that would be of use to colleagues. Please email us at enquiries@spa.ac.uk if you would like to suggest additional links.
UK-wide
HESA
HESA is the official agency for the collection, analysis and dissemination of quantitative information about higher education (HE). Operating on behalf of the HE sector on a charitable basis it delivers the information required by HEIs for their planning and development. In addition, HESA supports and enhances the ability of Government and its Agencies to determine HE policy and allocate funding and aims to satisfy public interest in the availability of quantitative information about HE.
The statistics section of the HESA website includes the latest Student Data (2007/08 academic year).
HESA - Information Provision Service
HESA’s Information Provision Service aims to provide a customised data enquiry service in order to make available information that may not be offered by existing HESA publications. HESA collects and analyses data falling into a number of streams including:
- Students and a sub-stream of this is the HESA survey of HE leavers known as the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE)
- Staff
- Finance, deriving base data from HEIs’ various returns to the Agency.
HESA - Statistics on line
A number of data tables can also be viewed on line via the HESA website showing information on staff, students, finance and destinations.
HESA - Performance Indicators
The HESA Performance Indicators provide comparative data on the performance of institutions in widening participation/access, student retention, learning and teaching outcomes, research output and employment of graduates. They are published annually in June. This data is normally the subject of media interest.
The Performance Indicators cover publicly-funded HEIs in the UK and HESA produces the performance indicators on behalf of HEFCE, HEFCW, SFC and DELNI, covering each of the UK administrations.
The data tables are split into six sections:
- Widening participation of under-represented groups
- Widening participation of students who are in receipt of Disabled Students’ Allowance
- Non-continuation rates
- Module completion rates
- Research output
- Employment of graduates
HESA - heidi
HESA runs heidi, the Higher Education Information Database for Institutions. heidi is a web-based management information service providing easy access to a rich source of quantitative data about HE. The data provided includes: key financial indicators, staff student ratios and performance indicators (including non-continuation rates and participation of under-represented groups in HE). The database allows you to create groups for reporting and comparator purposes. For example, you could create a group consisting of your comparator institutions and analyse data based on numbers of applications for particular JACS subject groupings across one or more admission years. Once you have created a report, additional pieces of reporting and comparator information can easily be added e.g. gender, age.
Reports can be produced in a variety of formats including statistical reporting and in chart form (column, bar, pie, line and pattern charts) depending on the requirement.
heidi is available on subscription - currently over 130 HEIs subscribe. Free four week trials are available by emailing heidi@hesa.ac.uk to request a free trial account. heidi seminars are also offered by HESA for users of the data.
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England
Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)
HEFCE produces a wide range of publications including guides, reports, consultation documents, research findings, good practice guidance and statistics - all available through their website.
HEFCE Extranet
The HE data extranet is designed to allow stakeholders access to applications, documents, and data not available to the general public. HEFCE produces a range of derived statistics and makes available the resulting data files. Each year statistics are published, derived from two sources:
1. HESA student data: a guide (2007-08 Statistics derived from HESA data: Guide to HEFCE web facility) to the use of this data can be found on the website. The data sets are intended to inform both WP allocation for the year and for monitoring and allocation of funding.
2. Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Individualised Learner Record (ILR) data: a user guide (2007-08 Statistics derived from ILR data) can also be found on the website.
HEFCE - POLAR data
Participation of Local Areas (POLAR) uses maps to illustrate the broad pattern of young participation i.e. not mature students in HE geographically and the relative likelihood and inclination to enter HE. POLAR is intended as a web-based resource to aid those involved in WP activities in targeting and measuring success.
POLAR2 is an updated classification which is based on participation rates between 2000 and 2004.
Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)
BIS produces various reports and publications covering workforce skills, employment opportunities, and challenges to and innovations for change in HE. The website lists various publications available for viewing or downloading.
Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)
There are tables on the DCSF website which provide information on the achievement and attainment of students of sixth-form age in local secondary schools and FE colleges. The school and college achievement and attainment tables (formerly performance tables) also show how these results compare with other schools and colleges in the area and in England as a whole.
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Northern Ireland
Department for Education Northern Ireland (DENI)
The Statistics and Research Branch of DENI provides the department with statistics, research and analysis including a number of statistics relating to schools, pupils and teachers.
The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) has a range of education and training statistics including participation rates and pupil: teacher ratios.
Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland (DELNI)
DELNI provides statistics on employment, training programmes and the HE and FE sectors in Northern Ireland.
DELNI also commissions research studies and evaluation projects in the above areas. A number of publications providing statistics on the HE and FE sectors are available from the site to either view online or download.
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Scotland
Scottish Funding Council (SFC)
The SFC produces a variety of publications, research reports and statistics which can be accessed online. The statistical information relates to both FE and HE in Scotland.
In addition, the SFC has a web-based Geographical Information System (FEGIS) which presents statistical information on student participation at FE colleges across Scotland on a series of digital maps.
Scottish Government
There are tables on the Scottish Government website under Learning and Teaching Scotland Scottish Schools Online which provide a searchable database giving information on every school in Scotland, including independent schools, giving examination results for years 4, 5 and 6, staying on rates, attendance and absence, free school meals, leaver destinations, inspection reports and contact information. They also show how these results compare with other schools and colleges in the area and in Scotland as a whole over the last three years.
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Wales
Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW)
HEFCW and the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) produce a variety of data which can be accessed online.
Select Post 16 Education and Training and Higher Education to view reports including:
- Qualifications
- Performance Indicators
- Cross border flows of students
Welsh Assembly Government (WAG)
The WAG website includes information on:
- the Destinations of Leavers from HE in the UK 2007/08, summarising the main points for the Welsh sector
- the latest statistical bulletin on Welsh in HE, providing information about students enrolled at Welsh HEIs taught through the medium of Welsh and staff teaching through the medium of Welsh up to the 2007/08 academic year
- the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation
There is also a summary of students enrolled at Welsh HEIs and Welsh domiciled students enrolled at HEIs throughout the UK in the academic year 2007/08, including key points for the Welsh sector and a wide range of data on schools in Wales is also available.
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SPA takes no responsibility for the content of external websites
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Updated: July 2010