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Data Sources

Numerous Government departments and sector organisations collect and produce statistics relating to colleges.

This below list of links about college statistics is a useful resource for colleges on the following topics:

  • statistics on student numbers and achievement
  • staff numbers
  • college funding and financial data
  • higher education statistics

Statistics on staff in colleges:

The Department for Education now has responsibility for collected of data on staff in further education:

The Education and Training Foundation had responsibility for the annual collection and analysis of further education and skills workforce data (2010/11 to 2018/19); and prior to that it was LLUK (2003/04 to 2009/10).

College funding and financial data:

College inspections:

Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills. They inspect services providing education and skills for learners of all ages. They also inspect and regulate services that care for children and young people.

Others:

  • BERA (British Educational Research Association) is the leading authority on educational research in the UK, supporting and representing the community of scholars, practitioners and everyone engaged in and with educational research both nationally and internationally.
  • Edge Foundation is an independent foundation working to inspire the education system to give all young people across the UK the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to flourish in their future life and work.
  • The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) is the workforce development body for the Further Education and Training sector.
  • Education Policy Institute (EPI) is an independent, impartial and evidence-based research institute that aims to promote high quality education outcomes for all children and young people, regardless of social background.
  • FFT Education Datalab produces independent, cutting-edge research on education policy and practice.
  • Gatsby Foundation is a charitable organisation. One of its areas of work is education, in particular strengthening science and engineering skills in the UK by developing innovative programmes and informing national policy.
  • The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) is the UK’s leading independent economics research institute.
  • Jisc is the UK digital, data and technology agency focused on tertiary education, research and innovation.
  • Learning and Work Institute (L&W) is an independent policy and research organisation focused on lifelong learning and better work.
  • National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) is the largest independent and not-for-profit social research organisation in the UK. It aims to carry out rigorous social policy research to improve society.
  • NCFE is an educational charity and leader in vocational and technical learning.
  • National Foundation for Education Research (NFER) is a not for profit independent research organisation carrying out research in the field of education.
  • Nuffield Foundation aims to improve social well-being by funding research and innovation in education, justice and welfare.
  • RCU - market intelligence and research in further education.
  • Sutton Trust champions social mobility through programmes, research and policy influence.
  • Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) is an independent charity working to benefit students and higher education. Experts in quality assurance, it maintains and enhances quality of and standards in UK higher education.
  • Youth Futures Foundation (YFF) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation established to improve employment outcomes for young people from marginalised backgrounds.

Research unit