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Aggregate versus combined TNE and Student record

Respondents showed a clear preference for continuing to collect TNE data through the Aggregate Offshore record, with 77% selecting this option versus 15% who wished to combine the TNE data with the Student record.

54% of respondents scored the set-up burden of continuing to submit TNE data through the AOR in the “4-7” category and 54% of respondents scored the run burden in the “4-7” category as well.

62% of respondents scored the set-up burden of combining TNE data with the Student record in the “8-10” category and 46% of respondents scored the run burden in the “8-10” category as well.

Respondents who favoured retaining the AOR for data on TNE provision raised a number of points:

  • Changes to the AOR would entail a smaller degree of burden; submitting the data via the individualised return would require significant work, not least because of the differences in academic year structures and how TNE students register or enrol, and the challenges of capturing personal characteristics data
  • There are too many differences between the requirements for Northern Ireland and Scotland and those for England and Wales to workably combine the returns
  • The burden of system changes to enable submission of individualised data on TNE students, including where data is not centralised
  • Retaining the separate returns makes resource management more straightforward
  • Confidence that an aggregate data model can meet requirements around quality assurance of TNE provision, is more adaptable to differing overseas academic contexts, tried and tested with overseas partners and authorities, and able to provide information on sector trends for comparison and policymaking purposes
  • The need for a clear justification of any requirement for individualised data and clear benefits to the sector from its availability
  • The need for a pause in changes to the Student record to allow the sector to adapt to the changes from Data Futures

Respondents who preferred moving TNE provision to the Student record in line with the approach proposed for England and Wales offered the following arguments in favour:

  • Having two separate returns with conflicting submission deadlines creates additional work; combining the records would allow for a streamlining of processes and reduction in burden
  • Although submitting individualised data will entail more work than the aggregate return, including changes to infrastructure, this would not have a particularly significant impact on processes

One respondent suggested that they were open-minded about revisiting the decision once the Data Futures changes to the Student record had been thoroughly embedded across the sector.