Academic year 2021/22

Higher Level Learners in England

Data guidance

Published 25 May 2023

Description

This document describes the data included in the Higher Level Learners in England, 2021/22 statistical release’s underlying data files. 

Coverage

This release refers only to learners in England doing study aims at education levels 4 to 8. 

Analysis is presented for English domiciled learners to reflect funding eligibility more closely and allow for consistent comparisons across both HESA and ILR sources.

Most of the data included in this release refers to academic year 2021/22. Time series data for academic years 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19,  2019/20 and 2020/21 has also been included at summary level.

Rounding and suppression

The Code of Practice for Official Statistics requires DfE to take reasonable steps to ensure that its published or disseminated statistics protect confidentiality.

Throughout the publication, all numbers are rounded to the nearest 5 to preserve confidentiality. Percentages are calculated on pre-rounded data but are not published if they are fractions of a small group of people (fewer than 22.5).

Due to rounding, it is possible that the sum of the category percentages may not always total to 100%.

Data files

All data files associated with this releases are listed below with guidance on their content. To download any of these files, please visit our data catalogue.

Data files

All data files associated with this releases are listed below with guidance on their content. To download any of these files, please visit our data catalogue.

Headline stats summary

• Filename: headline_stats_summary.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2021/22
• Content:

  Headline statistics used in the blue summary boxes of the publication.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
achievements	English-domiciled achievements in higher-level learning in 2021/22
enrolments	Total English-domiciled enrolments in higher-level learning in 2021/22
entrants	English-domiciled entrants to higher-level learning in 2021/22
female_percentage	Percentage of English-domiciled, higher-level entrants that were female in 2021/22
level_6_percentage	Percentage of English-domiciled, higher-level entrants to NQF Level 6 in 2021/22
percentage_HEPs	Percentage of English-domiciled, higher-level entrants registered in Higher Education Providers (HEPs) in 2021/22

Higher level learners by Type of higher level learning

• Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_type_of_higher_level_learning.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2015/16 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level learners in England by type of higher level learning, academic years 2015/16 to 2021/22.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
he_type	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_enrolments_total	All enrolments
number_of_entrants	Number of entrants
percentage_all_enrolments_by_characteristic	Percentage of all enrolments
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic	Percentage of entrants

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” category is a lower bound estimate. There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learners by Mode of study

• Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_study_mode.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2015/16 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level learners in England by mode of study, academic years 2015/16 to 2021/22. OfS-recognised HE learners only.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
level	Qualification level
mode_of_study	Mode of study
number_of_enrolments_total	All enrolments
number_of_entrants	Number of entrants
percentage_all_enrolments_by_characteristic	Percentage of all enrolments by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic	Percentage of entrants by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.

Higher level learners by Distance learning

• Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_distance_learning.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2015/16 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level learners in England by distance learning flag, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22. OfS-Recognised HE only.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
distance_learner	Distance learner
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_enrolments_total	All enrolments
number_of_entrants	Number of entrants
percentage_all_enrolments_by_characteristic	Percentage of all enrolments by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic	Percentage of entrants by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learners by Provider category

• Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_provider_category.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level learners in England by registered provider type, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_enrolments_total	All enrolments
number_of_entrants	Number of entrants
percentage_all_enrolments_by_characteristic	Percentage of all enrolments by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic	Percentage of entrants by characteristic
provider_category	Provider category

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learners by Equivalent or lower qualification

• Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_equivalent_or_lower_qualification.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level learners in England by equivalent or lower qualification (ELQ) status, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
equivalent_or_lower_qualification	Equivalent or lower qualification
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_enrolments_total	All enrolments
number_of_entrants	Number of entrants
percentage_all_enrolments_by_characteristic	Percentage of all enrolments by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic	Percentage of entrants by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. Caution should be applied when interpreting these statistics due to the high level of unknowns. To allow for comparisons across learning types, the following percentages are based on learners where ELQ status is known.
3. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learners by Primary funding source and Mode of study

• Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_primary_funding_source_mode.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level learners in England by primary funding source of tuition fees and mode of study, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
mode_of_study	Mode of study
number_of_enrolments_total	All enrolments
number_of_entrants	Number of entrants
percentage_all_enrolments_by_characteristic	Percentage of all enrolments by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic	Percentage of entrants by characteristic
primary_funding_source	Funding

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. Those receiving a Master's Loan (https://www.gov.uk/masters-loan) are not reported as having a student loan as their primary source of tuition fee funding in this data. Unlike for undergraduate loans, money is paid directly to individual learners themselves and providers do not receive the student loans funding directly.
3. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learners by Age group and mode of study

• Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_age_group_mode.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level achievements in England by age group, academic years 2018/19 to 2020/21

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
age_group	Age group
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
mode_of_study	Mode of study
number_of_enrolments_total	All enrolments
number_of_entrants	Number of entrants
percentage_all_enrolments_by_characteristic	Percentage of all enrolments by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic	Percentage of entrants by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learners by Sex

• Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_sex.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level learners in England by sex, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_enrolments_total	All enrolments
number_of_entrants	Number of entrants
percentage_all_enrolments_by_characteristic	Percentage of all enrolments by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic	Percentage of entrants by characteristic
sex	Sex

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learners by Ethnicity

• Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_ethnicity.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level learners in England by ethnicity, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
ethnicity	Ethnicity
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_enrolments_total	All enrolments
number_of_entrants	Number of entrants
percentage_all_enrolments_by_characteristic	Percentage of all enrolments by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic	Percentage of entrants by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learners by Disability

• Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_disability.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level learners in England by disability, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
disability	Disability status
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_enrolments_total	All enrolments
number_of_entrants	Number of entrants
percentage_all_enrolments_by_characteristic	Percentage of all enrolments by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic	Percentage of entrants by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learners by Region

• Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_region.csv
• Geographic levels: National; Regional
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level learners in England by region of domicile, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_enrolments_total	All enrolments
number_of_entrants	Number of entrants
percentage_all_enrolments_by_characteristic	Percentage of all enrolments by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic	Percentage of entrants by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learners by Index of multiple deprivation quintile

• Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_imd_quintile.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level learners in England by Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintile of domicile, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
IMD_quintile	Index of multiple deprivation quintile
level	Qualification level
number_of_enrolments_total	All enrolments
number_of_entrants	Number of entrants
percentage_all_enrolments_by_characteristic	Percentage of all enrolments by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic	Percentage of entrants by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learners by Subject (CAH level 1)

• Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_cah_subject_first_level_grouping.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2019/20 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level learners in England by subject area of study (Common Aggregation Hierarchy level 1), academic years 2019/20 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
CAH_subject_first_level_grouping	CAH subject first level grouping
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_enrolments_total	All enrolments
number_of_entrants	Number of entrants
percentage_all_enrolments_by_characteristic	Percentage of all enrolments by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic	Percentage of entrants by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learners by Subject (CAH Level 2)

• Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_cah_subject_second_level_grouping.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2019/20 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level learners in England by subject area of study (Common Aggregation Hierarchy level 2), academic years 2019/20 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
CAH_subject_second_level_grouping	CAH subject second level grouping
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_enrolments_total	All enrolments
number_of_entrants	Number of entrants
percentage_all_enrolments_by_characteristic	Percentage of all enrolments by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic	Percentage of entrants by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learners by Technical route

• Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_technical_route.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2019/20 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level learners in England by technical route, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22. OfS-recognised HE and Other Higher Level learners only (i.e. excluding apprenticeships and institutional credit)

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_enrolments_total	All enrolments
number_of_entrants	Number of entrants
percentage_all_enrolments_by_characteristic	Percentage of all enrolments by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic	Percentage of entrants by characteristic
technical_route	Technical route

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learners by Qualification aim

• Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_qualification_aim.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level learners in England by National Qualification Framework (NQF) level, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_enrolments_total	All enrolments
number_of_entrants	Number of entrants
percentage_all_enrolments_by_characteristic	Percentage of all enrolments by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic	Percentage of entrants by characteristic
qualification_aim	Qualification aim

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learners by Level on entry

• Filename: higher_level_learner_numbers_by_level_on_entry.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level learners in England by National Qualification Framework (NQF) level on entry, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
level_on_entry	Level of qualification held on entry
number_of_enrolments_total	All enrolments
number_of_entrants	Number of entrants
percentage_all_enrolments_by_characteristic	Percentage of all enrolments by characteristic
percentage_entrants_by_characteristic	Percentage of entrants by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. Caution should be applied when interpreting these statistics due to the high level of unknowns. To allow for comparisons across learning types, the following percentages are based on learners where ELQ status is known.
3. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learner achievements by Type of higher level learning

• Filename: higher_level_learner_achievements_by_type_of_higher_level_learning.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2015/16 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level achievements in England by type of higher level learning, academic years 2015/16 to 2021/22.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
he_type	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_achievements_total	All achievements
percentage_all_achievements_by_characteristic	Percentage of all achievements

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” category is a lower bound estimate. There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learner achievements by Mode of study

• Filename: higher_level_learner_achievements_by_study_mode.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2015/16 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level achievements in England by mode of study, academic years 2015/16 to 2021/22. OfS-recognised HE learners only.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
level	Qualification level
mode_of_study	Mode of study
number_of_achievements_total	All achievements
percentage_all_achievements_by_characteristic	Percentage of all achievements by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.

Higher level learner achievements by Distance learning

• Filename: higher_level_learner_achievements_by_distance_learning.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2015/16 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level achievements in England by distance learning flag, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
distance_learner	Distance learner
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_achievements_total	All achievements
percentage_all_achievements_by_characteristic	Percentage of all achievements by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learner achievements by Provider catgeory

• Filename: higher_level_learner_achievements_by_provider_category.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level achievements in England by registered provider type, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_achievements_total	All achievements
percentage_all_achievements_by_characteristic	Percentage of all achievements by characteristic
provider_category	Provider category

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learner achievements by Equivalent or lower qualification

• Filename: higher_level_learner_achievements_by_equivalent_or_lower_qualification.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level achievements in England by equivalent or lower qualification (ELQ) status, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
equivalent_or_lower_qualification	Equivalent or lower qualification
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_achievements_total	All achievements
percentage_all_achievements_by_characteristic	Percentage of all achievements by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. Caution should be applied when interpreting these statistics due to the high level of unknowns. To allow for comparisons across learning types, the following percentages are based on learners where ELQ status is known.
3. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learner achievements by Primary funding source and Mode of study

• Filename: higher_level_learner_achievements_by_primary_funding_source_mode.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level achievements in England by primary funding source of tuition fees and mode of study, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
mode_of_study	Mode of study
number_of_achievements_total	All achievements
percentage_all_achievements_by_characteristic	Percentage of all achievements by characteristic
primary_funding_source	Funding

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. Those receiving a Master's Loan (https://www.gov.uk/masters-loan) are not reported as having a student loan as their primary source of tuition fee funding in this data. Unlike for undergraduate loans, money is paid directly to individual learners themselves and providers do not receive the student loans funding directly.
3. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learner achievements by Age group and Mode of study

• Filename: higher_level_learner_achievements_by_age_group_mode.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level achievements in England by age group and mode of study, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
age_group	Age group
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
mode_of_study	Mode of study
number_of_achievements_total	All achievements
percentage_all_achievements_by_characteristic	Percentage of all achievements by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learner achievements by Sex

• Filename: higher_level_learner_achievements_by_sex.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level achievements in England by sex, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_achievements_total	All achievements
percentage_all_achievements_by_characteristic	Percentage of all achievements by characteristic
sex	Gender

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learner achievements by Disability

• Filename: higher_level_learner_achievements_by_disability.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level achievements in England by disability, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
disability	Disability status
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_achievements_total	All achievements
percentage_all_achievements_by_characteristic	Percentage of all achievements by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learner achievements by Ethnicity

• Filename: higher_level_learner_achievements_by_ethnicity.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level achievements in England by ethnicity, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
ethnicity	Ethinicity
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_achievements_total	All achievements
percentage_all_achievements_by_characteristic	Percentage of all achievements by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learner achievements by Region

• Filename: higher_level_learner_achievements_by_region.csv
• Geographic levels: National; Regional
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level achievements in England by region of domicile, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_achievements_total	All achievements
percentage_all_achievements_by_characteristic	Percentage of all achievements by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learner achievements by Index of multiple deprivation quintile

• Filename: higher_level_learner_achievements_by_imd_quintile.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level achievements in England by Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintile of domicile, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
IMD_quintile	Index of multiple deprivation quintile
level	Qualification level
number_of_achievements_total	All achievements
percentage_all_achievements_by_characteristic	Percentage of all achievements by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learner achievements by Subject (CAH Level 1)

• Filename: higher_level_learner_achievements_by_cah_subject_first_level_grouping.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2019/20 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level achievements in England by subject area of study (Common Aggregation Hierarchy level 1), academic years 2019/20 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
CAH_subject_first_level_grouping	CAH subject first level grouping
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_achievements_total	All achievements
percentage_all_achievements_by_characteristic	Percentage of all achievements by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learner achievements by Subject (CAH Level 2)

• Filename: higher_level_learner_achievements_by_cah_subject_second_level_grouping.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2019/20 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level achievements in England by subject area of study (Common Aggregation Hierarchy level 2), academic years 2019/20 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
CAH_subject_second_level_grouping	CAH subject second level grouping
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_achievements_total	All achievements
percentage_all_achievements_by_characteristic	Percentage of all achievements by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learner achievements by Technical route

• Filename: higher_level_learner_achievements_by_technical_route.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2019/20 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level achievements in England by technical route, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22. OfS-recognised HE and Other Higher Level learners only (i.e. excluding apprenticeships and institutional credit)

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_achievements_total	All achievements
percentage_all_achievements_by_characteristic	Percentage of all achievements by characteristic
technical_route	Technical route

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learner achievements by Qualification aim

• Filename: higher_level_learner_achievements_by_qualification_aim.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level achievements in England by National Qualification Framework (NQF) level, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
number_of_achievements_total	All achievements
percentage_all_achievements_by_characteristic	Percentage of all achievements by characteristic
qualification_aim	Qualification aim

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.

Higher level learner achievements by Level on entry

• Filename: higher_level_learner_achievements_by_level_on_entry.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2018/19 to 2021/22
• Content:

  English domiciled higher-level achievements in England by National Qualification Framework (NQF) level on entry, academic years 2018/19 to 2021/22

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
he_type_broad	Type of higher level learning
level	Qualification level
level_on_entry	Level of qualification held on entry
number_of_achievements_total	All achievements
percentage_all_achievements_by_characteristic	Percentage of all achievements by characteristic

Footnotes

1. See the About this release section for explanation of differences from other official statistics on apprenticeships and higher education.
2. Caution should be applied when interpreting these statistics due to the high level of unknowns. To allow for comparisons across learning types, the following percentages are based on learners where ELQ status is known.
3. The “Other Higher Level” category is lower bound estimate, combining “Other Higher Level (Unfunded higher level)” and "Other Higher Level (Advanced Learner Loan [ALL] and ESFA funded higher level)". There is likely to be some unfunded-learning in FE providers that is not recorded as it is only mandatory for providers to record information in the ILR for their ESFA-funded learners. There may also be higher level learning in the private sector that is not recorded in administrative data held by government.