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Student record 2020/21 - An introduction to Apprenticeship Standards

Version 1.0 Produced 2020-09-30

Higher Apprenticeships and Degree Apprenticeships

Higher and Degree Apprenticeships offer a work-based learning programme, as well as leading to higher education qualifications. To ensure that apprenticeship programmes are delivered consistently to agreed standards, a set of requirements are defined. Previously these were called Apprenticeship Frameworks, however these are being phased out and replaced by Apprenticeship Standards.

As students on these apprenticeships lead to higher education qualifications, they fall within the coverage of the HESA Student return. In addition, as apprenticeships include work-based learning, these students also fall into the Individualised Learner Record (ILR), which is the key Data collection for further education and work-based learning in England and is returned to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).

Data Requirements

Providers are required to return data regarding students studying on Apprenticeships to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) through the ILR on a monthly basis. Providers' funding is dependent upon this return. For full details of the timescales and requirements, providers should refer to the ILR specification documents found here.

Students studying on higher and degree apprenticeships fall within the coverage of the HESA Student return and so will need to be included in providers' HESA Student record submission in addition to the ILR return. The Data collection schedule for the HESA Student return can be found here.

Providers can no longer use the Data Collection system to generate an ILR file but will be able to use alternative software systems of their own choice to generate their ILR file.


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Contact Liaison by email or on +44 (0)1242 388 531.