Higher Level Learners in England
Academic year 2018/19

Description

This document describes the data included in the Higher Level Learners in England, 2018/19 ad hoc statistical release’s underlying data files.

Coverage

This release refers only to learners in England doing study aims at education  levels 4 to 8 (https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels).

Analysis is presented for English domiciled learners to reflect funding eligibility more closely and allow for consistent comparisons across both HESA and ILR sources.

Most of the data included in this release refers to academic year 2018/19. More recent data for 2019/20 are available from HESA and ESFA (in the ILR), but further data processing will be required before they can be included in the statistical release. Time series data for academic years 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18 has also been included at summary level.

Rounding and suppression

The  Code of Practice for Official Statistics (https://code.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/) requires DfE to take reasonable steps to ensure that its published or disseminated statistics protect confidentiality.

Throughout the publication, all numbers are rounded to the nearest 5 to preserve confidentiality. Percentages are calculated on pre-rounded data but are not published if they are fractions of a small group of people (fewer than 22.5).

Due to rounding, it is possible that the sum of the category percentages may not always total to 100%.

Data files

Headline summary boxes

Filename: headline_stats_summary_211017.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018/19
Content summary: Headline statistics used in the blue summary boxes of the publication.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
entrants_level4  |  Entrants to Level 4 in 2018/19
entrants_level5  |  Entrants to Level 5 in 2018/19
entrants_level6  |  Entrants to Level 6 in 2018/19
entrants_level7  |  Entrants to Level 7 in 2018/19
entrants_level8  |  Entrants to Level 8 in 2018/19
percentage_HEPs  |  Percentage of higher-level entrants registered in Higher Education Providers (HEPs) in 2018/19


Higher level learners by age group - 2018/19 academic year

Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_age_group.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018/19
Content summary: English domiciled entrants and total number of learners to higher-level learning in England by age, academic year 2018/19

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                              |  Variable description
-----------------------------------------  |  --------------------------------------------
age_group                                  |  Age group
he_type_broad                              |  Type of higher level learning
level                                      |  Qualification level
number_of_entrants                         |  Number of entrants
number_of_students_total                   |  All students
percentage_all_students_by_characteristic  |  Percentage of all students by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic      |  Percentage of entrants by characteristic

Footnotes:

1. See the about release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.


Higher level learners by disability - 2018/19 academic year

Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_disability.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018/19
Content summary: English domiciled entrants and total number of learners to higher-level learning in England by disability, academic year 2018/19

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                              |  Variable description
-----------------------------------------  |  --------------------------------------------
disability                                 |  Disability status
he_type_broad                              |  Type of higher level learning
level                                      |  Qualification level
number_of_entrants                         |  Number of entrants
number_of_students_total                   |  All students
percentage_all_students_by_characteristic  |  Percentage of all students by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic      |  Percentage of entrants by characteristic

Footnotes:

1. See the about release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.


Higher level learners by equivalent or lower qualification - 2018/19 academic year

Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_equivalent_or_lower_qualification.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018/19
Content summary: English domiciled entrants and total number of learners to higher-level learning in England by Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) status, academic year 2018/19

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                              |  Variable description
-----------------------------------------  |  --------------------------------------------
equivalent_or_lower_qualification          |  Equivalent or lower qualification
he_type_broad                              |  Type of higher level learning
level                                      |  Qualification level
number_of_entrants                         |  Number of entrants
number_of_students_total                   |  All students
percentage_all_students_by_characteristic  |  Percentage of all students by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic      |  Percentage of entrants by characteristic

Footnotes:

1. Caution should be applied when interpreting these statistics due to the high level of unknowns. To allow for comparisons across learning types, the following percentages are based on learners where ELQ status is known.


Higher level learners by ethnicity - 2018/19 academic year

Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_ethnicity.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018/19
Content summary: English domiciled entrants and total number of learners to higher-level learning in England by ethnicity, academic year 2018/19

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                              |  Variable description
-----------------------------------------  |  --------------------------------------------
ethnicity                                  |  Ethinicity
he_type_broad                              |  Type of higher level learning
level                                      |  Qualification level
number_of_entrants                         |  Number of entrants
number_of_students_total                   |  All students
percentage_all_students_by_characteristic  |  Percentage of all students by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic      |  Percentage of entrants by characteristic

Footnotes:

1. See the about release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.


Higher level learners by index of multiple deprivation quintile - 2018/19 academic year

Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_imd_quintile.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018/19
Content summary: English domiciled entrants and total number of learners to higher-level learning in England by Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintile of domicile, academic year 2018/19

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                              |  Variable description
-----------------------------------------  |  --------------------------------------------
he_type_broad                              |  Type of higher level learning
IMD_quintile                               |  Index of multiple deprivation quintile
level                                      |  Qualification level
number_of_entrants                         |  Number of entrants
number_of_students_total                   |  All students
percentage_all_students_by_characteristic  |  Percentage of all students by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic      |  Percentage of entrants by characteristic

Footnotes:

1. See the about release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.


Higher level learners by primary funding source - 2018/19 academic year

Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_primary_funding_source.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018/19
Content summary: English domiciled entrants and total number of learners to higher-level learning in England by primary funding source of tuition fees, academic year 2018/19

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                              |  Variable description
-----------------------------------------  |  --------------------------------------------
he_type_broad                              |  Type of higher level learning
level                                      |  Qualification level
number_of_entrants                         |  Number of entrants
number_of_students_total                   |  All students
percentage_all_students_by_characteristic  |  Percentage of all students by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic      |  Percentage of entrants by characteristic
primary_funding_source                     |  Funding

Footnotes:

1. See the about release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. Those receiving a Master's Loan (https://www.gov.uk/masters-loan) are not reported as having a student loan as their primary source of tuition fee funding in this data. Unlike for undergraduate loans, money is paid directly to individual learners themselves and providers do not receive the student loans funding directly.


Higher level learners by provider category - 2018/19 academic year

Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_provider_category.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018/19
Content summary: English domiciled entrants and total number of learners to higher-level learning in England by registered provider type, academic year 2018/19

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                              |  Variable description
-----------------------------------------  |  --------------------------------------------
he_type_broad                              |  Type of higher level learning
level                                      |  Qualification level
number_of_entrants                         |  Number of entrants
number_of_students_total                   |  All students
percentage_all_students_by_characteristic  |  Percentage of all students by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic      |  Percentage of entrants by characteristic
provider_category                          |  Provider category

Footnotes:

1. See the about release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.


Higher level learners by qualification aims - 201819 academic year

Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_qualification_aim_211017_1400.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018/19
Content summary: English domiciled entrants and total number of learners to higher-level learning in England by qualification aim, academic year 2018/19

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                              |  Variable description
-----------------------------------------  |  --------------------------------------------
he_type_broad                              |  Type of higher level learning
level                                      |  Qualification level
number_of_entrants                         |  Number of entrants
number_of_students_total                   |  All students
percentage_all_students_by_characteristic  |  Percentage of all students by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic      |  Percentage of entrants by characteristic
qualification_aim                          |  Qualification aim

Footnotes:

1. See the about release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.


Higher level learners by region - 2018/19 academic year

Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_region_211018_2013.csv
Geographic levels: National; Regional
Time period: 2018/19
Content summary: English domiciled entrants and total number of learners to higher-level learning in England by region of domicile, academic year 2018/19

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                              |  Variable description
-----------------------------------------  |  --------------------------------------------
he_type_broad                              |  Type of higher level learning
level                                      |  Qualification level
number_of_entrants                         |  Number of entrants
number_of_students_total                   |  All students
percentage_all_students_by_characteristic  |  Percentage of all students by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic      |  Percentage of entrants by characteristic

Footnotes:

1. See the about release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.


Higher level learners by sex - 2018/19 academic year

Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_gender.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018/19
Content summary: English domiciled entrants and total number of learners to higher-level learning in England by sex, academic year 2018/19

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                              |  Variable description
-----------------------------------------  |  --------------------------------------------
he_type_broad                              |  Type of higher level learning
level                                      |  Qualification level
number_of_entrants                         |  Number of entrants
number_of_students_total                   |  All students
percentage_all_students_by_characteristic  |  Percentage of all students by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic      |  Percentage of entrants by characteristic
sex                                        |  Gender

Footnotes:

1. See the about release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.


Higher level learners by study mode - 2015/16 to 2018/19 academic years

Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_study_mode.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2015/16 to 2018/19
Content summary: English domiciled entrants and total number of learners to higher-level learning in England by mode of study, OfS-recognised HE only, academic years 2015/16 to 2018/19

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                              |  Variable description
-----------------------------------------  |  --------------------------------------------
level                                      |  Qualification level
mode_of_study                              |  Mode of study
number_of_entrants                         |  Number of entrants
number_of_students_total                   |  All students
percentage_all_students_by_characteristic  |  Percentage of all students by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic      |  Percentage of entrants by characteristic


Higher level learners by subject area - 2018/19 academic year

Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_subject_area.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018/19
Content summary: English domiciled entrants and total number of learners to higher-level learning in England by subject area of study, academic year 2018/19

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                              |  Variable description
-----------------------------------------  |  --------------------------------------------
he_type_broad                              |  Type of higher level learning
level                                      |  Qualification level
number_of_entrants                         |  Number of entrants
number_of_students_total                   |  All students
percentage_all_students_by_characteristic  |  Percentage of all students by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic      |  Percentage of entrants by characteristic
subject_area                               |  Subject area

Footnotes:

1. See the about release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.


Higher level learners by technical route - 2018/19 academic year

Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_technical_route.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018/19
Content summary: English domiciled entrants and total number of learners to higher-level learning in England by technical route, OfS-recognised HE and Other Higher Level learners only (i.e. excluding apprenticeships and institutional credit). Academic year 2018/19

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                              |  Variable description
-----------------------------------------  |  --------------------------------------------
he_type_broad                              |  Type of higher level learning
level                                      |  Qualification level
number_of_entrants                         |  Number of entrants
number_of_students_total                   |  All students
percentage_all_students_by_characteristic  |  Percentage of all students by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic      |  Percentage of entrants by characteristic
technical_route                            |  Technical route


Higher level learners by type of higher level learning - 2015/16 to 2018/19 academic years

Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_type_of_higher_level_learning_211017_1400.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2015/16 to 2018/19
Content summary: English domiciled entrants and total number of learners to higher-level learning in England, academic years 2015/16 to 2018/19

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                              |  Variable description
-----------------------------------------  |  -----------------------------
he_type                                    |  Type of higher level learning
level                                      |  Qualification level
number_of_entrants                         |  Number of entrants
number_of_students_total                   |  All students
percentage_all_students_by_characteristic  |  Percentage of all students
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic      |  Percentage of entrants

Footnotes:

1. The “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” category is a lower bound estimate. There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.
2. See the about release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
