Widening participation in higher education
Academic year 2024/25

Description

This document describes the data included in the Widening Participation in Higher Education: 2024/25 Official Statistics release’s underlying data files.

The methodology document (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/widening-participation-in-higher-education) attached to this release should be referenced alongside this data. It provides information on the data sources, their coverage and quality as well as explaining methodology used in producing the data.

Coverage

The release covers two measures of participation in Higher Education.

The first shows HE participation by pupil and study characteristics for pupils aged 15 in English state-funded schools and special schools (including non-maintained special schools).

The second relates to HE participation by school type for pupils aged 17 who were entered for A levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications at English schools and colleges.

All charts and tables reference the academic year in which a cohort was aged 15 For example, a pupil aged 15 in the 2001/02 academic year (the earliest cohort) would be aged 19 in 2005/06 and 25 in 2011/12. In previous releases the academic year was based on the year that the cohort was 19.

File formats and conventions

Rounding

We are removing rounding and suppression of data where possible in order to maximise the utility of the statistics while minimising the risk of disclosure.

More information about the Departmental policy on confidentiality can be found here:

External_Confidentiality_Policy (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/773124/External_confidentiality_policy.pdf)

Data relating to Care Leavers, Children in Need and Looked After Children is rounded to the nearest percentage for rates and to the nearest 10 for counts of pupils given the sensitivity of these statistics.

Conventions

The following convention is used throughout the underlying data.

‘x’ Not applicable

‘c’ Confidential

Data files

Individual Age

Filename: Age.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2001/02 to 2022/23
Content summary: HE participation by individual age

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                              |  Variable description
-----------------------------------------  |  ----------------------------------------------
cumulative_high_tariff_participation_rate  |  Cumulative HE Participation Rate (High Tariff)
cumulative_participation_rate              |  Cumulative HE Participation Rate
entry_age                                  |  Entry age
high_tariff_participation_rate             |  HE Participation Rate (High Tariff)
number_of_he_students                      |  Number of HE Students
number_of_high_tariff_he_students          |  Number of HE Students (High Tariff)
number_of_students                         |  Number of Pupils
participation_rate                         |  HE Participation Rate

Footnotes:

1. Where "no data" is shown, this indicates that there is no current record of HE participation in that category for the cohort of 15-year-olds
2. For the 2005/06 cohort, the rate for 18-year-olds is understated. See Methodology (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/widening-participation-in-higher-education) for more information
3. Cohorts of 15-year-olds in the period 2017/18 to 2019/20 who achieved A levels between 2020/21 and 2022/23 had higher attainment than typical years due to alternative processes put in place during the Covid pandemic. This led to more students in these cohorts being accepted to HE and in particular to high tariff HE.


Pupil Characteristics

Filename: All_Characteristics.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2005/06 to 2021/22
Content summary: HE participation by pupil characteristics by age 18, 19, 20, 25 and 30

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                      |  Variable description
---------------------------------  |  -----------------------------------
breakdown                          |  characteristic
entry_age                          |  Entry age
high_tariff_participation_rate     |  HE Participation Rate (High Tariff)
number_of_he_students              |  Number of HE Students
number_of_high_tariff_he_students  |  Number of HE Students (High Tariff)
number_of_students                 |  Number of Pupils
participation_rate                 |  HE Participation Rate

Footnotes:

1. Note that participation rates can be volatile over time due to the very small number of pupils in some categories. This is particularly the case for Gypsy/Roma and Traveller of Irish Heritage pupils
2. Where "no data" is shown, this indicates that there is no current record of HE participation in that category for the cohort of 15-year-olds
3. Data is not currently available for the care leavers for the latest cohort for entry by age 18
4. For the 2005/06 cohort, the rate for 18-year-olds is understated. See Methodology (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/widening-participation-in-higher-education) for more information
5. Figures for Care Leavers, Children in Need and by Looked After Children status are rounded to a higher level due to the sensitivity of the data. Year-on-year changes may therefore overstate (or understate) differences in student numbers and participation rates
6. Cohorts of 15-year-olds in the period 2017/18 to 2019/20 who achieved A levels between 2020/21 and 2022/23 had higher attainment than typical years due to alternative processes put in place during the Covid pandemic. This led to more students in these cohorts being accepted to HE and in particular to high tariff HE.


Free School Meals

Filename: FSM.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2001/02 to 2021/22
Content summary: HE Participation by Free School Meal eligibility by age 18, 19, 20, 25 and 30

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                      |  Variable description
---------------------------------  |  -----------------------------------
entry_age                          |  Entry age
fsm_status                         |  Free School Meal Status
high_tariff_participation_rate     |  HE Participation Rate (High Tariff)
number_of_he_students              |  Number of HE Students
number_of_high_tariff_he_students  |  Number of HE Students (High Tariff)
number_of_students                 |  Number of Pupils
participation_rate                 |  HE Participation Rate

Footnotes:

1. Where "no data" is shown, this indicates that there is no current record of HE participation in that category for the cohort of 15-year-olds
2. For the 2005/06 cohort, the rate for 18-year-olds is understated. See Methodology (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/widening-participation-in-higher-education) for more information
3. Cohorts of 15-year-olds in the period 2017/18 to 2019/20 who achieved A levels between 2020/21 and 2022/23 had higher attainment than typical years due to alternative processes put in place during the Covid pandemic. This led to more students in these cohorts being accepted to HE and in particular to high tariff HE.


Free School Meals - Gap

Filename: FSM_Gap.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2001/02 to 2021/22
Content summary: HE Participation by Free School Meal eligibility (including participation rate gap) by age 18, 19, 20, 25 and 30

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                           |  Variable description
--------------------------------------  |  -------------------------------------------
entry_age                               |  Entry age
high_tariff_participation_rate          |  High Tariff HE Participation Rate
high_tariff_participation_rate_fsm      |  High Tariff HE Participation Rate (FSM)
high_tariff_participation_rate_gap      |  High Tariff Participation Rate Gap
high_tariff_participation_rate_non_fsm  |  High Tariff HE Participation Rate (Non-FSM)
participation_rate                      |  HE Participation Rate
participation_rate_fsm                  |  HE Participation Rate (FSM)
participation_rate_gap                  |  Participation Rate Gap
participation_rate_non_fsm              |  HE Participation Rate (Non-FSM)

Footnotes:

1. The participation rate gap is the difference (in percentage points) between the HE participation rates of pupils who were eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) at age 15 and those who were not eligible for FSM at age 15
2. Where "no data" is shown, this indicates that there is no current record of HE participation in that category for the cohort of 15-year-olds
3. For the 2005/06 cohort, the rate for 18-year-olds is understated. See Methodology (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/widening-participation-in-higher-education) for more information
4. Cohorts of 15-year-olds in the period 2017/18 to 2019/20 who achieved A levels between 2020/21 and 2022/23 had higher attainment than typical years due to alternative processes put in place during the Covid pandemic. This led to more students in these cohorts being accepted to HE and in particular to high tariff HE.


Free School Meals, Sex and Ethnic Group

Filename: FSM_Sex_Ethnicity.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2005/06 to 2021/22
Content summary: HE Participation by Free School Meal eligibility, Sex and Ethnic Group by age 18, 19, 20, 25 and 30

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                      |  Variable description
---------------------------------  |  -----------------------------------
entry_age                          |  Entry age
ethnicity_minor                    |  Ethnic Group
fsm_status                         |  Free School Meal Status
high_tariff_participation_rate     |  HE Participation Rate (High Tariff)
number_of_he_students              |  Number of HE Students
number_of_high_tariff_he_students  |  Number of HE Students (High Tariff)
number_of_students                 |  Number of Pupils
participation_rate                 |  HE Participation Rate
sex                                |  Sex

Footnotes:

1. Note that participation rates can be volatile over time due to the very small number of pupils in some categories. This is particularly the case for Gypsy/Roma and Traveller of Irish Heritage pupils
2. Where "no data" is shown, this indicates that there is no current record of HE participation in that category for the cohort of 15-year-olds
3. For the 2005/06 cohort, the rate for 18-year-olds is understated. See Methodology (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/widening-participation-in-higher-education) for more information
4. Cohorts of 15-year-olds in the period 2017/18 to 2019/20 who achieved A levels between 2020/21 and 2022/23 had higher attainment than typical years due to alternative processes put in place during the Covid pandemic. This led to more students in these cohorts being accepted to HE and in particular to high tariff HE.


Free School Meals, Sex and Ethnic Group - Region

Filename: FSM_Sex_Ethnicity_Region.csv
Geographic levels: Regional
Time period: 2005/06 to 2021/22
Content summary: HE Participation by Free School Meal eligibility, Sex and Ethnic Group - Regional level by age 18, 19, 20, 25 and 30

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                      |  Variable description
---------------------------------  |  -----------------------------------
entry_age                          |  Entry age
ethnicity_major                    |  Ethnic Group
fsm_status                         |  Free School Meal Status
high_tariff_participation_rate     |  HE Participation Rate (High Tariff)
number_of_he_students              |  Number of HE Students
number_of_high_tariff_he_students  |  Number of HE Students (High Tariff)
number_of_students                 |  Number of Pupils
participation_rate                 |  HE Participation Rate
sex                                |  Sex

Footnotes:

1. Where "no data" is shown, this indicates that there is no current record of HE participation in that category for the cohort of 15-year-olds
2. For the 2005/06 cohort, the rate for 18-year-olds is understated. See Methodology (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/widening-participation-in-higher-education) for more information
3. Cohorts of 15-year-olds in the period 2017/18 to 2019/20 who achieved A levels between 2020/21 and 2022/23 had higher attainment than typical years due to alternative processes put in place during the Covid pandemic. This led to more students in these cohorts being accepted to HE and in particular to high tariff HE.


Sex

Filename: Sex.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2001/02 to 2021/22
Content summary: HE participation by sex by age 18, 19, 20, 25 and 30

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                      |  Variable description
---------------------------------  |  -----------------------------------
entry_age                          |  Entry age
high_tariff_participation_rate     |  HE Participation Rate (High Tariff)
number_of_he_students              |  Number of HE Students
number_of_high_tariff_he_students  |  Number of HE Students (High Tariff)
number_of_students                 |  Number of Pupils
participation_rate                 |  HE Participation Rate
sex                                |  Sex

Footnotes:

1. Where "no data" is shown, this indicates that there is no current record of HE participation in that category for the cohort of 15-year-olds
2. Cohorts of 15-year-olds in the period 2017/18 to 2019/20 who achieved A levels between 2020/21 and 2022/23 had higher attainment than typical years due to alternative processes put in place during the Covid pandemic. This led to more students in these cohorts being accepted to HE and in particular to high tariff HE.


Ethnicity

Filename: Ethnicity.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2005/06 to 2021/22
Content summary: HE participation by ethnic group by age 18, 19, 20, 25 and 30

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                      |  Variable description
---------------------------------  |  -----------------------------------
entry_age                          |  Entry age
ethnicity_minor                    |  Ethnic Group
high_tariff_participation_rate     |  HE Participation Rate (High Tariff)
number_of_he_students              |  Number of HE Students
number_of_high_tariff_he_students  |  Number of HE Students (High Tariff)
number_of_students                 |  Number of Pupils
participation_rate                 |  HE Participation Rate

Footnotes:

1. Note that participation rates can be volatile over time due to the very small number of pupils in some categories. This is particularly the case for Gypsy/Roma and Traveller of Irish Heritage pupils
2. Where "no data" is shown, this indicates that there is no current record of HE participation in that category for the cohort of 15-year-olds
3. Cohorts of 15-year-olds in the period 2017/18 to 2019/20 who achieved A levels between 2020/21 and 2022/23 had higher attainment than typical years due to alternative processes put in place during the Covid pandemic. This led to more students in these cohorts being accepted to HE and in particular to high tariff HE.


Special Educational Needs

Filename: SEN.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2005/06 to 2021/22
Content summary: HE participation by Special Educational Needs Status by age 18, 19, 20, 25 and 30

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                      |  Variable description
---------------------------------  |  -----------------------------------
entry_age                          |  Entry age
high_tariff_participation_rate     |  HE Participation Rate (High Tariff)
number_of_he_students              |  Number of HE Students
number_of_high_tariff_he_students  |  Number of HE Students (High Tariff)
number_of_students                 |  Number of Pupils
participation_rate                 |  HE Participation Rate
sen_status                         |  SEN Status

Footnotes:

1. Where "no data" is shown, this indicates that there is no current record of HE participation in that category for the cohort of 15-year-olds
2. Cohorts of 15-year-olds in the period 2017/18 to 2019/20 who achieved A levels between 2020/21 and 2022/23 had higher attainment than typical years due to alternative processes put in place during the Covid pandemic. This led to more students in these cohorts being accepted to HE and in particular to high tariff HE.


Study Characteristics

Filename: Study_Type.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2001/02 to 2021/22
Content summary: HE participation by study characteristics by age 18, 19, 20, 25 and 30

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                      |  Variable description
---------------------------------  |  -----------------------------------
breakdown                          |  characteristic
entry_age                          |  Entry age
high_tariff_participation_rate     |  HE Participation Rate (High Tariff)
number_of_he_students              |  Number of HE Students
number_of_high_tariff_he_students  |  Number of HE Students (High Tariff)
number_of_students                 |  Number of Pupils
participation_rate                 |  HE Participation Rate

Footnotes:

1. Where "no data" is shown, this indicates that there is no current record of HE participation in that category for the cohort of 15-year-olds
2. These figures refer to the first time a pupil participates in HE level study. A pupil may return to HE level study in a future academic year and participate in a different qualification group, level or mode of study compared to their original qualification
3. Complete and consistent qualification level data is only available for cohorts from 2004/05 onwards. See the methodology note for more information
4. For the 2005/06 cohort, the rate for 18-year-olds is understated. See Methodology (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/widening-participation-in-higher-education) for more information
5. High tariff providers are less likely to offer apprenticeships or level 4 and 5 qualifications than other providers, hence high tariff participation rates are very low for these providers
6. Cohorts of 15-year-olds in the period 2017/18 to 2019/20 who achieved A levels between 2020/21 and 2022/23 had higher attainment than typical years due to alternative processes put in place during the Covid pandemic. This led to more students in these cohorts being accepted to HE and in particular to high tariff HE.


Qualification Group and Level

Filename: Qualification_group_and_level.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2004/05 to 2021/22
Content summary: HE Participation by HE qualification group and level by age 18, 19, 20, 25 and 30

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                      |  Variable description
---------------------------------  |  -----------------------------------
entry_age                          |  Entry age
high_tariff_participation_rate     |  HE Participation Rate (High Tariff)
level                              |  Level
number_of_he_students              |  Number of HE Students
number_of_high_tariff_he_students  |  Number of HE Students (High Tariff)
number_of_students                 |  Number of Pupils
participation_rate                 |  HE Participation Rate
qualification_group                |  Qualification group

Footnotes:

1. Where "no data" is shown, this indicates that there is no current record of HE participation in that category for the cohort of 15-year-olds
2. These figures refer to the first time a pupil participates in HE level study. A pupil may return to HE level study in a future academic year and participate in a different qualification group, level or mode of study compared to their original qualification
3. Complete and consistent qualification level data is only available for cohorts from 2004/05 onwards. See the methodology note for more information
4. A small number of qualifications may be incorrectly assigned to a level in the Individualised Learner Record (ILR) data used for this publication and the level recorded in the ILR data has been retained. Although the overall impact on the figures is small, it may be evident when analysing outputs by level and qualification aim
5. For the 2005/06 cohort, the rate for 18-year-olds is understated. See Methodology (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/widening-participation-in-higher-education) for more information
6. High tariff providers are less likely to offer apprenticeships or level 4 and 5 qualifications than other providers, hence high tariff participation rates are very low for these providers
7. Cohorts of 15-year-olds in the period 2017/18 to 2019/20 who achieved A levels between 2020/21 and 2022/23 had higher attainment than typical years due to alternative processes put in place during the Covid pandemic. This led to more students in these cohorts being accepted to HE and in particular to high tariff HE.


School Type

Filename: School_Type.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2004/05 to 2021/22
Content summary: HE participation by school type by age 18, 19, 20, 25 and 30

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                      |  Variable description
---------------------------------  |  -----------------------------------
a_level_status                     |  A level status
entry_age                          |  Entry age
establishment_type                 |  School Type
high_tariff_participation_rate     |  HE Participation Rate (High Tariff)
number_of_he_students              |  Number of HE Students
number_of_high_tariff_he_students  |  Number of HE Students (High Tariff)
number_of_students                 |  Number of KS5 Students
participation_rate                 |  HE Participation Rate

Footnotes:

1. Note that figures from 2013/14 are not directly comparable with earlier years due to a change in the cohort
2. Where "no data" is shown, this indicates that there is no current record of HE participation in that category for the cohort of 15-year-olds
3. For the 2005/06 cohort, the rate for 18-year-olds is understated. See Methodology (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/widening-participation-in-higher-education) for more information
4. Cohorts of 15-year-olds in the period 2017/18 to 2019/20 who achieved A levels between 2020/21 and 2022/23 had higher attainment than typical years due to alternative processes put in place during the Covid pandemic. This led to more students in these cohorts being accepted to HE and in particular to high tariff HE.


School Type - Gap

Filename: School_Type_Gap.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2004/05 to 2021/22
Content summary: HE participation by school type (including participation rate gap) by age 18, 19, 20, 25 and 30

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                               |  Variable description
------------------------------------------  |  -----------------------------------------------
a_level_status                              |  A level status
entry_age                                   |  Entry age
high_tariff_participation_rate_gap          |  High Tariff Participation Rate Gap
high_tariff_participation_rate_independent  |  High Tariff HE Participation Rate (Independent)
high_tariff_participation_rate_state        |  High Tariff HE Participation Rate (State)
participation_rate_gap                      |  Participation Rate Gap
participation_rate_independent              |  HE Participation Rate (Independent)
participation_rate_state                    |  HE Participation Rate (State)

Footnotes:

1. The participation rate gap is the difference (in percentage points) between the HE participation rates of students who attended independent schools and those who attended state-funded schools at Key Stage 5
2. Note that figures from 2013/14 are not directly comparable with earlier years due to a change in the cohort
3. Where "no data" is shown, this indicates that there is no current record of HE participation in that category for the cohort of 15-year-olds
4. For the 2005/06 cohort, the rate for 18-year-olds is understated. See Methodology (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/widening-participation-in-higher-education) for more information
5. Cohorts of 15-year-olds in the period 2017/18 to 2019/20 who achieved A levels between 2020/21 and 2022/23 had higher attainment than typical years due to alternative processes put in place during the Covid pandemic. This led to more students in these cohorts being accepted to HE and in particular to high tariff HE.


Projected HE by Age 25

Filename: Projected_measure.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2001/02 to 2021/22
Content summary: Projected HE Participation by age 25

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name       |  Variable description
------------------  |  ---------------------
participation_rate  |  HE Participation Rate
projection          |  Actual and Projection

Footnotes:

1. Cohorts of 15-year-olds in the period 2017/18 to 2019/20 who achieved A levels between 2020/21 and 2022/23 had higher attainment than typical years due to alternative processes put in place during the Covid pandemic. This led to more students in these cohorts being accepted to HE and in particular to high tariff HE.


Projected Level 4/5 by Age 25

Filename: Projected_measure_level_45.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2004/05 to 2021/22
Content summary: Projected Level 4/5 Participation by age 25

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name       |  Variable description
------------------  |  ---------------------
participation_rate  |  HE Participation Rate
projection          |  Actual and Projection

Footnotes:

1. These figures refer to the first time a pupil participates in HE level study. A pupil may return to HE level study in a future academic year and participate in a different qualification group, level or mode of study compared to their original qualification
2. Complete and consistent qualification level data is only available for cohorts from 2004/05 onwards. See the methodology note for more information
3. Cohorts of 15-year-olds in the period 2017/18 to 2019/20 who achieved A levels between 2020/21 and 2022/23 had higher attainment than typical years due to alternative processes put in place during the Covid pandemic. This led to more students in these cohorts being accepted to HE and in particular to high tariff HE.


Tariff Groups

Filename: Tariff_Group.csv
Geographic levels: Provider
Time period: 2004/05 to 2024/25
Content summary: HE providers by tariff group

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ------------
mean_tariff      |  Mean Tariff
tariff_grouping  |  Tariff Group

Footnotes:

1. Mean tariff scores relate to the tariff points that were in place at the time. The maximum tariff score was 360 points until 2010/11 when the A* grade was introduced. The maximum score was then 420 until 2017/18 when the tariff points were revised. From 2017/18 onwards the maximum tariff score is 168 UCAS points (3 A levels at A* or equivalent). More details on tariff points are available on the UCAS website: UCAS Tariff Points - what are they and how do they work? (https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/entry-requirements/ucas-tariff-points)
2. Where "no data" is shown, this indicates that there is no current record of HE participation in that category for the cohort of 15-year-olds
