Higher education student enrolments and qualifications obtained at higher education institutions in the United Kingdom for the academic year 2009/10

Introduction

This Statistical First Release (SFR) has been produced by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in collaboration with statisticians from the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG), the Scottish Government (SG) and the Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland (DEL(NI)). It has been released according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority. It provides details of student enrolments and qualifications obtained by higher education (HE) students at HE institutions (HEIs) in the United Kingdom (UK) for the academic year 2009/10. Additionally for the first time this year the SFR includes information from the HESA Aggregate Offshore Record. This record captures students studying wholly outside the UK who are either registered with the reporting institution or who are studying for an award of the reporting institution.

Readers should be aware that data definitions sometimes change over time and this can affect the validity of time series comparisons. Any significant changes have been explained in the Notes to Editors and/or Definitions.

Please note, key points have been derived from the Excel tables (these can be found below). Comparisons with 2008/09 data have only been included where they can be derived from these tables.

Key points - enrolments (all UK HEIs)

• The total number of HE enrolments at UK HEIs stood at 2,493,420 in 2009/10, showing an increase of 4% from 2008/09 (Ref. Table 1).
• Postgraduate enrolments increased by 8% and undergraduate enrolments increased by 3% between 2008/09 and 2009/10 (Ref. Table 1).
• 1,632,160 of all enrolments were full-time, an increase in numbers of 6% since 2008/09. 861,260 enrolments were part-time showing an increase of 1% over the same period (Ref. Table 1).
• Between 2008/09 and 2009/10, the number of enrolments of UK domiciled students increased by 3% (from 2,027,085 to 2,087,615). The number of all other European Union (EU) domiciled students increased by 6% (from 117,660 to 125,045). Over the same period, the number of Non-EU domiciled students increased by 12% (from 251,310 to 280,760) (Ref. Table 1).
• 44% of full-time enrolments in 2009/10 were in science subjects, showing no percentage point change between 2008/09 and 2009/10 (Ref. Table 3).
• 36% of part-time enrolments in 2009/10 were in science subjects, showing no percentage point change between 2008/09 and 2009/10 (Ref. Table 3).
• The number of full-time first year enrolments increased by 7% between 2008/09 and 2009/10, part-time first year enrolments decreased by 1% over the same period. The number of postgraduate first year enrolments increased by 9% and undergraduate first year enrolments increased by 2% (Ref. Table 2).

Key points - qualifications obtained (all UK HEIs)

• In 2009/10 there were 350,860 first degree graduates compared to 333,720 in 2008/09, showing an increase of 5% (Ref. Table 5).
• Of those gaining a classified first degree in 2009/10, 14% obtained a first class honours award the same as in 2008/09, and 48% obtained an upper second class honours award, the same as in 2008/09 (Ref. Table 6).
• 11% of first degree graduates gained their award through part-time study in 2009/10, the same as in 2008/09 (Ref. Table 5).
• 57% of first degree graduates in 2009/10 were women, the same as in 2008/09 (Ref. Table 5).
• In 2009/10, 41% of first degree graduates achieved their qualification in a science discipline, the same as in 2008/09. Of these science graduates, 50% were women, the same as in 2008/09 (Ref. Table 7).
• 24,865 students were awarded a foundation degree in 2009/10 compared to 18,850 in 2008/09, an increase of 32% (Ref. Table 5).
• The number awarded other undergraduate qualifications (excluding foundation degrees) was 114,885 in 2009/10, a decrease of 2% from 2008/09 (Ref. Table 5).
• 226,330 students obtained HE qualifications at postgraduate level in 2009/10. Of these, 204,650 (90%) obtained qualifications after following taught postgraduate courses, of which 22,030 were awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and 21,680 (10%) completed their studies mainly by research (Ref. Table 5).
• 62,145 undergraduate and 98,075 postgraduate students obtaining HE qualifications in 2009/10 came from non-UK countries (Ref. Table 5).
• Non-UK students accounted for 22% of all students awarded HE qualifications in 2009/10 (Ref. Table 5).

Key points - students studying wholly overseas (all UK HEIs)

• In 2009/10 there were 68,450 students studying wholly overseas within the EU compared to 66,815 in 2008/09, showing an increase of 2% (Ref. Table 8).
• Between 2008/09 and 2009/10 the number of students studying wholly overseas outside the EU increased by 6% (from 321,325 to 340,235) (Ref. Table 8).

Key points - enrolments (England only)

• The total number of HE enrolments at English HEIs stood at 2,093,635 in 2009/10, an increase of 4% from 2008/09 (Ref. Table 1a).
• Postgraduate enrolments increased by 8% and undergraduate enrolments increased by 3% between 2008/09 and 2009/10 (Ref. Table 1a).
• 1,345,670 of all enrolments were full-time, an increase in numbers of 6% since 2008/09. 747,965 enrolments were part-time, showing an increase of 1% over the same period (Ref. Table 1a).
• Between 2008/09 and 2009/10, the number of enrolments of UK domiciled students increased by 3% (from 1,701,060 to 1,758,680). The number of all other European Union (EU) domiciled students increased by 6% (from 92,885 to 98,060). Over the same period, the number of Non-EU domiciled students increased by 12% (from 211,900 to 236,900) (Ref. Table 1a).
• In 2009/10, 97% of English domiciled first year undergraduates studied at English HEIs (excluding The Open University), the same as in 2008/09. Similarly, in 2009/10, 96% of English domiciled first year postgraduates studied at English HEIs (excluding The Open University), the same as in 2008/09 (Ref. Table 4).
• The number of full-time first year enrolments increased by 7% between 2008/09 and 2009/10, part-time first year enrolments showed no percentage point change over the same period. The number of postgraduate first year enrolments increased by 9% and undergraduate first year enrolments increased by 2% (Ref. Table 2a).

Key points - qualifications obtained (England only)

• In 2009/10 there were 292,410 first degree graduates compared to 276,145 in 2008/09, an increase of 6% (Ref. Table 5a).
• Of those gaining a classified first degree in 2009/10, 14% obtained a first class honours award and 48% obtained an upper second class honours award (Ref. Table 6a).
• 56% of first degree graduates in 2009/10 were women, the same as in 2008/09 (Ref. Table 5a).
• 24,035 students were awarded a foundation degree in 2009/10 compared to 18,050 in 2008/09, an increase of 33% (Ref. Table 5a).
• 188,105 students obtained HE qualifications at postgraduate level in 2009/10, an increase of 12% from 2008/09 (Ref. Table 5a).

Key points - students studying wholly overseas (England only)

• In 2009/10 there were 60,350 students studying wholly overseas within the EU compared to 59,125 in 2008/09, showing an increase of 2% (Ref. Table 8).
• Between 2008/09 and 2009/10 the number of students studying wholly overseas outside the EU increased by 6% (from 290,830 to 308,155) (Ref. Table 8).

Key points - enrolments (Wales only)

• The total number of HE enrolments at Welsh HEIs stood at 127,885 in 2009/10, an increase of 1% from 2008/09 (Ref. Table 1a).
• Postgraduate enrolments increased by 11% and undergraduate enrolments decreased by 1% between 2008/09 and 2009/10 (Ref. Table 1a).
• 88,015 of all enrolments were full-time, an increase in numbers of 9% since 2008/09. 39,870 enrolments were part-time, showing a decrease of 12% over the same period (Ref. Table 1a).
• Between 2008/09 and 2009/10, the number of enrolments of UK domiciled students decreased by 1% (from 105,340 to 103,855). The number of all other European Union (EU) domiciled students decreased by 9% (from 7,505 to 6,845). Over the same period, the number of Non-EU domiciled students increased by 26% (from 13,630 to 17,185) (Ref. Table 1a).
• In 2009/10, 79% of Welsh domiciled first year undergraduates studied at Welsh HEIs (excluding The Open University), compared to 81% in 2008/09. In 2009/10, 68% of Welsh domiciled first year postgraduates studied at Welsh HEIs (excluding The Open University), the same as in 2008/09 (Ref. Table 4).
• The number of full-time first year enrolments increased by 12% between 2008/09 and 2009/10. Part-time first year enrolments fell by 14% over the same period. The number of postgraduate first year enrolments increased by 12% and undergraduate first year enrolments fell by 3% (Ref. Table 2a).

Key points - qualifications obtained (Wales only)

• In 2009/10 there were 19,215 first degree graduates compared to 18,430 in 2008/09, an increase of 4% (Ref. Table 5a).
• Of those gaining a classified first degree in 2009/10, 13% obtained a first class honours award and 45% obtained an upper second class honours award (Ref. Table 6a).
• 57% of first degree graduates in 2009/10 were women, the same as in 2008/09 (Ref. Table 5a).
• 4,875 students were awarded HE qualifications at undergraduate level other than at first degree and foundation degree level in 2009/10, compared to 4,550 in 2008/09, an increase of 7% (Ref. Table 5a).
• 13,045 students obtained HE qualifications at postgraduate level in 2009/10, an increase of 19% from 2008/09 (Ref. Table 5a).

Key points - students studying wholly overseas (Wales only)

• In 2009/10 there were 6,235 students studying wholly overseas within the EU compared to 6,105 in 2008/09, showing an increase of 2% (Ref. Table 8).
• Between 2008/09 and 2009/10 the number of students studying wholly overseas outside the EU decreased by 2% (from 9,140 to 8,925) (Ref. Table 8).

Key points - enrolments (Scotland only)

• The total number of HE enrolments at Scottish HEIs stood at 220,910 in 2009/10, an increase of 3% from 2008/09 (Ref. Table 1a).
• Postgraduate enrolments increased by 4% and undergraduate enrolments increased by 2% between 2008/09 and 2009/10 (Ref. Table 1a).
• 162,955 of all enrolments were full-time, an increase in numbers of 4% since 2008/09. 57,955 enrolments were part-time, showing a decrease of 1% over the same period (Ref. Table 1a).
• Between 2008/09 and 2009/10, the number of enrolments of UK domiciled students increased by 1% (from 177,950 to 179,905). The number of all other European Union (EU) domiciled students increased by 17% (from 13,585 to 15,930). Over the same period, the number of Non-EU domiciled students increased by 5% (from 23,960 to 25,075) (Ref. Table 1a).
• In 2009/10, 93% of Scottish domiciled first year undergraduates studied at Scottish HEIs (excluding The Open University), the same as in 2008/09. Similarly, in 2009/10, 86% of Scottish domiciled first year postgraduates studied at Scottish HEIs (excluding The Open University), compared to 87% in 2008/09 (Ref. Table 4).
• The number of full-time first year enrolments increased by 5% between 2008/09 and 2009/10, part-time first year enrolments fell by 4% over the same period. The number of postgraduate first year enrolments increased by 7% and undergraduate first year enrolments showed no percentage point change (Ref. Table 2a).

Key points - qualifications obtained (Scotland only)

• In 2009/10 there were 30,995 first degree graduates compared to 30,720 in 2008/09, an increase of 1% (Ref. Table 5a).
• Of those gaining a classified first degree in 2009/10, 17% obtained a first class honours award and 52% obtained an upper second class honours award (Ref. Table 6a).
• 58% of first degree graduates in 2009/10 were women, the same as in 2008/09 (Ref. Table 5a).
• 6,240 students were awarded HE qualifications at undergraduate level other than at first degree level in 2009/10, compared to 7,395 in 2008/09, a decrease of 16% (Ref. Table 5a).
• 21,115 students obtained HE qualifications at postgraduate level in 2009/10, which showed a decrease of 1% from 2008/09 (Ref. Table 5a).

Key points - students studying wholly overseas (Scotland only)

• In 2009/10 there were 1,795 students studying wholly overseas within the EU compared to 1,520 in 2008/09, showing an increase of 18% (Ref. Table 8).
• Between 2008/09 and 2009/10 the number of students studying wholly overseas outside the EU increased by 9% (from 20,865 to 22,665) (Ref. Table 8).

Key points - enrolments (Northern Ireland only)

• The total number of HE enrolments at Northern Ireland HEIs stood at 50,990 in 2009/10, an increase of 6% from 2008/09 (Ref. Table 1a).
• Postgraduate enrolments increased by 8% and undergraduate enrolments increased by 5% between 2008/09 and 2009/10 (Ref. Table 1a).
• 35,520 of all enrolments were full-time, an increase in numbers of 3% since 2008/09. 15,470 enrolments were part-time, showing an increase of 13% over the same period (Ref. Table 1a).
• In 2009/10, 76% of Northern Ireland domiciled first year undergraduates studied at Northern Ireland HEIs (excluding The Open University) compared to 74% in 2008/09. Similarly, in 2009/10, 71% of Northern Ireland domiciled first year postgraduates studied at Northern Ireland HEIs (excluding The Open University), compared to 72% in 2008/09 (Ref. Table 4).
• The number of full-time first year enrolments increased by 8% between 2008/09 and 2009/10, part-time first year enrolments also increased by 8% over the same period. The number of postgraduate first year enrolments increased by 12% and undergraduate first year enrolments increased by 7% (Ref. Table 2).

Key points - qualifications obtained (Northern Ireland only)

• In 2009/10 there were 8,235 first degree graduates compared to 8,425 in 2008/09, a decrease of 2% (Ref. Table 5a).
• Of those gaining a classified first degree in 2009/10, 16% obtained a first class honours award and 51% obtained an upper second class honours award (Ref. Table 6a).
• 61% of first degree graduates in 2009/10 were women, compared to 62% in 2008/09 (Ref. Table 5a).
• 4,070 students obtained HE qualifications at postgraduate level in 2009/10, an increase of 5% from 2008/09 (Ref. Table 5a).

Key points - students studying wholly overseas (Northern Ireland only)

• In 2009/10 there were 70 students studying wholly overseas within the EU compared to 65 in 2008/09 (Ref. Table 8).
• Between 2008/09 and 2009/10 the number of students studying wholly overseas outside the EU increased by 1% (from 490 to 495) (Ref. Table 8).

Tables

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None of the tables presented should be interpreted without reference to the Notes to editors and Definitions provided below.

Notes to Editors

1. The data presented in this SFR is based on the 2009/10 HESA Student and Aggregate offshore records. The statistics in this SFR are derived by HESA from data collected from all publicly funded HEIs in the UK (including The Open University - see definition 5) and The University of Buckingham, which is privately funded. The figures therefore exclude HE enrolments and qualifications obtained by students registered at UK further education colleges and at other private and independent UK HE colleges.

   The 2009/10 data for HE enrolments in further education colleges in the UK is not included in this SFR, however this data will be published in Table 0 of the HESA publication, Higher Education Statistics for the United Kingdom, in September 2011.

2. There were considerable changes in the enrolments and qualifiers data collection from 2007/08 onwards. As a result some time series data relating to 2005/06 to 2006/07 within this release will not correspond to previously published HESA data.
3. The specification of the HESA standard registration population has changed for enrolments from 2007/08 onwards. Writing-up and sabbatical students are now excluded from this population where they were previously included in published enrolment data. In order to maintain time series accuracy, all data for 2005/06 to 2006/07 has been run using the 2007/08 definition of the standard registration population (excluding writing-up and sabbatical students). As a result, enrolment data will not match other previously published HESA data for the years 2005/06 to 2006/07.
4. From 2007/08 the specification for student gender falls within the scope of the Aligned Data Definitions adopted by the Information Standards Board for education, skills, and children's services. Students of ‘indeterminate gender' are included in total figures but not in separate breakdowns.
5. Students with a domicile of ‘UK unknown' have been included in total figures but not in separate breakdowns.
6. First degree qualifiers with a classification of ‘not applicable' have been included in total figures but not in separate breakdowns. These qualifiers are also not included in percentage calculations.

7. In 2006/07 an institution in Scotland misreported a number of awards (1,295) as ordinary degrees, showing in the tables as unclassified awards. This should be taken into account when looking at time series in Table 6.

   In 2006/07 an institution in Northern Ireland reported a number of unknown domiciles (955), mostly on short credit bearing courses within their Open Learning Programme. Consequently the number of Northern Ireland students in Northern Ireland institutions may be under-reported by this amount.

   In the years 2005/06 and 2006/07, an institution in Scotland misreported a number of part-time qualifiers as postgraduate taught when they should have been classified as undergraduate. As a result, postgraduate taught figures in Table 5a may be over-reported for the years 2005/06 to 2006/07.

   In 2008/09, an institution in England misreported 305 other undergraduate incoming exchange students as non-exchange students. As a result these students appear in the enrolment figures where they would have usually been excluded.

   In 2008/09, an institution in Wales showed a drop of 2,195 part-time enrolments. This is due to those students being recorded as dormant which automatically excludes them from enrolment data. This should be taken into account when looking at part-time time series.

   Prior to 2008/09, an institution in Scotland missed a number of awards from their qualifications obtained data submission. From 2008/09, these awards have now been included in the submission and have resulted in an increase in number of qualifications obtained. This should be taken into account when looking at time series for qualifications obtained.

   In 2009/10 an institution in Wales changed its reporting practices for a number of their full-time postgraduate taught students that were active over two reporting years. These students were previously returned as active in their first year but dormant in their second year. For 2009/10 these students were returned as active in both academic years, in line with HESA reporting requirements. Consequently the number of full-time postgraduate enrolments in Wales has shown a larger percentage increase than expected.

8. In 2008/09 an institution in Northern Ireland misreported a number of part-time students (280) as non-EU domicile. Consequently this has a considerable effect on the number and percentage change from 2007/08 to 2008/09 of non-EU and UK domiciled students in Northern Ireland institutions. As a result, part-time and total data by domicile for Northern Ireland HEIs has been suppressed from Table 1a and 2a. This may also result in some under-reporting of domicile figures in Table 4 although the effect is not judged to be of sufficient magnitude to warrant suppression.
9. In 2008/09, an institution in Northern Ireland miscoded a number of part-time, other undergraduate post-registration nursing and midwifery qualifiers (525). Consequently the number of part-time other undergraduate qualifiers at institutions in Northern Ireland has been under-reported by this amount. As a result, affected data in Table 5a has been suppressed.
10. Foundation degrees have not been introduced in Scotland. As numbers of foundation degree students in Wales and Northern Ireland are small, these are not separately reported in the text of this SFR.
11. A statistical reference volume ‘Students in Higher Education Institutions 2009/10' based on the HESA Student record and setting out more information about students in higher education in the UK will be published by HESA in February 2011.
12. For the purposes of Table 4, ‘England HEIs' does not include data for The Open University. Data for this institution is shown separately and included in total figures. For all other tables, The Open University is included within ‘England HEIs'.
13. In 2008/09, an institution in Scotland misreported a number of students as ‘Students registered at a UK HEI' instead of ‘Students studying for an award of a UK HEI'. This should be taken into account when comparing these Aggregate offshore figures in Table 8.

Definitions

1. Higher education

   Higher education (HE) students for the purpose of HESA's data collection are those students on courses for which the level of instruction is above that of level 3 of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (e.g. courses at the level of Certificate of HE and above).

   The reporting period for the 2009/10 student record is 1 August 2009 to 31 July 2010.

2. Level of study/qualification obtained

   Postgraduate programmes of study are those leading to higher degrees, diplomas and certificates (including Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) and professional qualifications) and usually require that entrants are already qualified to degree level (i.e. already qualified at level 6 of the QCA National Qualifications Framework).

   First degree includes first degrees with or without eligibility to register to practice with a health or social care or veterinary statutory regulatory body, first degrees with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)/registration with a General Teaching Council (GTC), enhanced first degrees (including those leading towards obtaining eligibility to register to practice with a health or social care or veterinary statutory regulatory body), first degrees obtained concurrently with a diploma and intercalated first degrees.

   Foundation degrees were first introduced in September 2001. They are vocational higher education qualifications at level 5 of the QCA National Qualifications Framework.

   Other undergraduate includes qualification aims equivalent to and below first degree level, such as Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), foundation degrees, diplomas in HE with eligibility to register to practice with a health or social care or veterinary statutory regulatory body, Higher National Diploma (HND), Higher National Certificate (HNC), Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE), foundation courses at HE level, NVQ/SVQ levels 4 and 5, post-degree diplomas and certificates at undergraduate level (including those in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector), professional qualifications at undergraduate level, other undergraduate diplomas and certificates including post registration health and social care courses, other formal HE qualifications of less than degree standard, institutional undergraduate credit and non-formal undergraduate qualifications.

   Further education programmes of study (applicable to table 8 only) include diplomas, certificates and National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)/Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) at level 3 and below, A/AS levels, Advanced Highers/Highers (Scotland), GCSEs, Intermediates (Scotland), HE Access courses, Welsh for Adults and other qualifications below higher education level.

3. Mode of study - enrolments

   Full-time includes students recorded as studying full-time, normally required to attend an institution for periods amounting to at least 24 weeks within the year of study, plus those enrolled on a sandwich course (thick or thin), irrespective of whether or not they are in attendance at the institution or engaged in industrial training, and those on a study-related year out of their institution. During that time students are normally expected to undertake periods of study, tuition or work experience which amount to an average of at least 21 hours per week for a minimum of 24 weeks study/placement.

   Part-time students are those recorded as studying part-time, or studying full-time on courses lasting less than 24 weeks, on block release, or studying during the evenings only.

   Mode of study - qualifications obtained

   Full-time students are those whose study was recorded as full-time (as described above), and also includes awards from dormant and writing-up status where the student's mode of study was previously full-time.

   Part-time students are those whose study was recorded as part-time (as described above), and also includes awards from dormant and writing-up status where the student's mode of study was previously part-time, and awards given to those on sabbatical.

4. Domicile

   UK domiciled students are those whose normal residence is in the UK, and for the purposes of this publication include Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man. (Officially, the Crown Dependencies of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man are not part of the UK or the EU).

   On 1 May 2004 ten new countries joined the EU and on 1 January 2007 two additional countries joined; the 2004 and 2007 accession countries, and these are listed below. Up to 2006/07 the 2007 accession countries are included in the ‘Non-EU' category in the tables; as from 2007/08 these countries are included in the ‘Other EU' category.

   The table below illustrates the position regarding student enrolments in HE using HESA standard definitions. The brackets indicate the figures for the 2007 accession countries prior to their inclusion on 1 January 2007.

   	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09	2009/10
   EU countries excluding UK	99985	105410	112150	117660	125045
   ...of which
   EU countries prior to 1 May 2004	83715	83560	83185	84255	88305
   EU 2004 accession countries	16275	21850	26535	29055	30150
   EU 2007 accession countries	(1120)	(1295)	2430	4345	6590

   2004 accession countries: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

   2007 accession countries: Romania and Bulgaria

5. Location of institution

   The allocation of an institution to a geographical region is done by reference to the administrative centre of that institution. There may be students registered at institutions who are studying in regions other than that of the administrative centre of the institution.

   The Open University is counted as a wholly English institution. The administrative centre is located in England, although The Open University teaches throughout the UK. 

6. Class of first degree

   The classification of an undergraduate degree indicates the qualification class that the student obtained. Certain qualifications obtained at first degree level are not subject to classification of the award, notably medical and general degrees. These, together with ordinary degrees and aegrotat qualifications, have been included within the unclassified category. Third class honours, fourth class honours and the pass category have been aggregated. Lower second and undivided second class honours have been aggregated. The percentage calculations included in this SFR are expressed excluding unclassified first degrees from the denominator.

7. First year

   First year students are based on the HESA standard registration population who commenced their instance in the relevant reporting period. The term 'instance' is used to describe a student's engagement with the institution aiming towards the award of a qualification(s) or credit.

8. Age

   Age is as at 31 August within the relevant academic year.

9. Students studying wholly overseas

   These are students studying wholly outside the UK who are either registered with the reporting institution or who are studying for an award of the reporting institution.

10. Location of provision

    Within the European Union includes students whose location of study country was a European Union (EU) member state.

    Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man, for the purposes of this SFR, are counted as within the European Union.

11. Type of activity

    Type of activity defines the arrangements under which overseas programmes are provided.

    Students registered at a UK higher education institution includes:

    Overseas campus of reporting institution includes those studying at a campus set up as a branch campus of the parent institution, and as such it is seen as no different from any other campus of the institution.

    Distance, flexible or distributed learning denotes educational provision leading to an award of an awarding institution delivered and/or supported and/or assessed through means which generally do not require the student to attend particular classes or events at particular times and particular locations. There are a small number of distance learning students studying outside the UK who are funded (e.g. Crown servants overseas and the Services). These students are returned in the Student record and not included in the Aggregate offshore record.

    Other arrangement including collaborative provision denotes provision leading to an award of an awarding institution delivered and/or supported and/or assessed through an arrangement with a partner organisation. Collaborative provision, sometimes described as 'franchised' provision includes consortia and joint award arrangements.

    Students studying for an award of a UK higher education institution includes:

    Students studying for an award of a UK HEI are not registered students of the reporting institution but are studying for an award of the reporting institution, and are registered at an Overseas partner organisation or via some Other arrangement.

12. Rounding Strategy

    In the text and tables the figures presented are rounded. 0, 1 and 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down, to the nearest 5. Percentages are calculated on the base data and are suppressed if they are calculated on a population which contains 52 or fewer individuals. These cases are represented as '..'.

Press enquiries should be directed to the Press office at the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), 95 Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1HZ: Tel: 01242 211120. General enquiries about the data contained within this SFR should be addressed to Tony Basran, Senior Information Analyst, HESA (at the same address), telephone: 01242 211133. 

ENDS