Higher Education Leavers Statistics: Alternative providers, 2016/17 - Summary

• In 2016/17, the percentage of first degree leavers from alternative providers (APs) in UK work was 69%, the highest percentage across all levels of undergraduate study.
• In 2016/17, the percentage of leavers in further study varied by level of qualification obtained, with 59% of foundation degree leavers and 1% of masters taught leavers entering further study.
• Levels of unemployment also varied by level of qualification obtained. The highest percentage of unemployment, at 7% was amongst first degree leavers.
• In 2016/17, the median salary for first degree leavers was £21,000, an increase on the 2015/16 median salary which was £20,500 (see Figure 10).

Introduction

This Statistical First Release (SFR) is the annual first release of HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) data from alternative providers. Last year it was titled Destinations of undergraduate leavers from higher education at alternative providers in England.

Alternative providers (APs) are higher education providers who do not receive recurrent funding from the funding councils or other public bodies and who are not further education (FE) colleges. Eligible students can access loans and grants from the Student Loans Company (SLC) on specific courses, referred to as designated courses.

DLHE data is collected in respect of successful leavers from HE six months after their completion of study. Following a major review, we anticipate this will be the final year of DLHE outputs. A new Graduate Outcomes survey is being implemented and will survey graduates approximately 15 months after completing their studies. The first Graduate Outcomes data is due to be published in spring 2020.

In 2016/17, there were 9,915 UK and other EU leavers who responded (from 91 APs) to the DLHE survey from the target population of 12,955, an overall response rate of 77%. This response rate is the same as that for publicly funded providers.

Non-EU leavers achieved a response rate of 41%. To align with our Statistical First Release on the Destinations of Leavers from publicly funded providers, data for these leavers are excluded from the Summary and all following sections of this SFR. For more information on coverage please refer to the notes section.

Please give feedback on this release

• Summary
• Leaver activities and characteristics
• Outcomes by subject studied
• Salary of leavers in employment
• HE totality
• Notes