Data intelligence

We are investigating potential quality issues with 0068 De Montfort University’s 2018/19 data. This note will be updated with more information as it is received.

Many entrants to University College Birmingham (UCB) will have previously completed vocational learning programmes which do not carry any UCAS points. It would therefore be inaccurate to use mean tariff point score data for UCB in any calculation or to make reference to them in any authoritative way.

In 2013/14, Teesside University had a significant reduction in the numbers of students studying within the subject group Subjects allied to medicine: from 6,530 in 2012/13 to 5,270 in 2013/14. This was partly due to the following courses no longer running;

• BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science (Top-up)
• Diploma in Nursing Studies
• BSc (Hons) Practice Innovation (Top-up)
• Foundation Degree Health & Social Care Practice

In addition, following the change in fee regime, the University has continued to see a decline in enrolments on part-time, short awards in health-related subjects

In 2011/12, the University of Ulster returned students enrolled from a new partnership with Queen Anne Business School, which includes significant numbers of non-EU students. This is reflected in the increase in non-EU students for Northern Ireland institutions in Tables 1a and 2a.

In 2011/12, several providers re-classified their nursing courses from a diploma of HE to a first degree. The 2011/12 data shows a 27% rise from 2010/11 in first year first degree nursing students and a 17% drop in first year other undergraduate nursing students.

In 2012/13, several institutions continued to re-classify their nursing courses from a diploma of HE to a first degree. The 2012/13 data shows a 10% rise from 2011/12 in first degree nursing students (17% for full-time first degree nursing students) and a 31% drop in other undergraduate nursing students (44% for full-time other undergraduate nursing students).

In 2013/14, several HE providers continued to re-classify their nursing courses from a diploma of HE to a first degree. The 2013/14 data shows a 7% rise from 2012/13 in first degree nursing students (12% for full-time first degree nursing students) and a 21% drop in other undergraduate nursing students (60% for full-time other undergraduate nursing students).

In 2014/15, several HE providers continued to re-classify their nursing courses from a diploma of HE to a first degree. The 2014/15 data shows a 4.6% rise from 2013/14 in first degree nursing students (83,725 in 2014/15, 80,050 in 2013/14). When looking at full-time first degree nursing students the data shows a 5.6% rise (71,160 in 2014/15, 67,415 in 2013/14). These compare to a 9.1% drop in other undergraduate nursing students (42,295 in 2014/15, 46,545 in 2013/14) and 55.5% for full-time other undergraduate nursing students(3,275 in 2014/15, 7,365 in 2013/14).

Bournemouth University has had a reduction in their other undergraduate post-registration nursing students, but has introduced in the same year a new post-registration programme, towards a postgraduate qualification in the School of Health and Social Care which has recruited approximately 500 entrants in 2012/13.

Oxford Brookes University returned data for students registered with an overseas partner for the first time in 2008/09. This provision comprises substantial numbers of students on Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) programmes and, although not previously reported, is not new provision.

From 2015/16 to 2017/18 The University of Cambridge returned undergraduate students as achieving course end reason “Completion of course - result unknown” with no qualification. For 2018/19 a qualification has been entered in order to close these historical records off. This has caused a sizeable increase in the number of other undergraduate qualifications achieved from 2017/18 to 2018/19.

In 2013/14, The University of West London had a significant reduction in the number of part-time other undergraduate qualifications awarded, from 1095 in 2012/13 to 345 in 2013/14.  This was largely due to the award offered for post-registration nursing courses changing from an award to credits.

In 2013/14, University of Ulster had a significant reduction in the number of part-time other undergraduate qualifiers, from 1,495 in 2012/13 to 685 in 2013/14.This was mainly due to the cessation of a part-time certificate in Credit Union Studies.

In 2013/14, SRUC had a significant increase to their full-time other undergraduate qualifiers, from 90 in 2012/13 to 435 in 2013/14.  This was due to the merger of the former Barony, Elmwood and Oatridge Colleges and SAC to form SRUC.

In 2017/18, The University of Law saw a significant increase in its other undergraduate student numbers on designated courses with course aim (H60) Graduate diploma/certificate at level H (an increase of 1480 FPE). This increase is due to coverage changes of the Alternative Provider Student record. In previous years, students on a graduate Law conversion course with this course aim were excluded from HESA data as they were considered to be on a postgraduate course for coverage purposes.

In 2015/16, The University of Central Lancashire incorrectly reported entry qualifications for overseas students, this affects both Undergraduate and Postgraduate taught students and has the effect of understating the prior qualifications of these students.

In 2009/10, the University of Cambridge adopted a new system of recording its part-time continuing education students. Students who declared from the outset that they did not intend to study for credit could be identified and excluded from the HESA Student record. The result is a decrease (3,815 to 1,115) in the provider's part-time undergraduate student numbers.

In 2016/17, University for the Creative Arts saw a significant increase in its part-time first degree student numbers (1230 FPE). This increase is due to the merger with Open College of the Arts. These students predominately fall into the Creative arts and design subject area.

The University of Kent discontinued their partnership with the Institute of Financial Services leading to a reduction in the number of their part-time foundation students (540).

Coventry University saw a considerable increase of part-time, other undergraduate and full-time first degree instances in 2011/12. These increases are attributed to a rise in recruitment to Employer Engagement Programmes and targeted recruitment in specific subject areas.

Coventry University has had a 86% (1195) increase in qualifications awarded at part-time other undergraduate level. This is largely due to the awards successfully achieved as part of planned growth within the Co-funded Employer Engagement suite of programmes.

The University of Hull has had a notable reduction in part-time other undergraduate students. This is due to the significant drop in activity on the University Foundation Award programme short course provision. 2012/13 is the last year that this was run. The numbers of students on these programmes has reduced from 4,125 in 2011/12 to 545 in 2012/2013.

The University of Liverpool has had a significant reduction (1720) in their part-time other undergraduate students. In 2012/13 these students were from a programme with an unspecified qualification aim and for this reason should not be included under HEFCE guidance.

Coventry University has had a significant decrease (4090) in part-time other undergraduate student numbers due to a drop in their co-funded provision. Coventry inform us that ‘Recruitment in this area is drawing to a close and significant decreases such as this are to be expected’.

The University of Bradford has had a significant drop (790) in their first year part-time other undergraduate student numbers in 2012/13. This reflects the phasing out of their partnership with Craven College and the closure of their School of Lifelong Learning and Development