Tax year 2022-23

LEO Graduate and Postgraduate Outcomes

Data guidance

Published

Description

This page describes the data included in the ‘LEO Graduate and postgraduate outcomes publication: Tax year 2022/23’ accredited official statistics release’s underlying data files.

The publication methodology, available on the publication report, should be referenced alongside this data. It provides information on the data sources, their coverage and quality as well as explaining methodology used in producing the data.

Coverage

Employment and earnings outcomes for graduates and postgraduates of English Higher Education (HE) providers, one, three, five and ten years after graduation (YAG), 2016/17 to 2022/23 tax years. UK domiciled and International (EU and non-EU domiciled) outcomes are separated.

File formats and conventions

Files are Comma Separated Value (CSV)

Conventions

  • Earnings figures are rounded to the nearest £100
  • Employment outcome percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.1%
  • All populations are rounded to the nearest 5 full-person equivalent (FPE) individuals
  • Any differences in outcome percentages or earnings are calculated using unrounded values
  • c = data has been suppressed due to small numbers. 
  • z = there is no result (N/A)

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 figures

Filename
headline_figures.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2022-23
Content
Headline statistics for the LEO graduate and postgraduate outcomes publication,
Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
eu_median_fdEU domiciled median first degree graduate earnings five years after graduation
fsm_gapFree school meals (FSM) first degree graduate median earnings lower than non-FSM five years after graduation by
median_nominal_fdMedian first degree graduate earnings five years after graduation
median_nominal_l7tMedian level 7 (taught) postgraduate earnings five years after graduation
sex_gapFemale first degree graduate earnings lower than male five years after graduation by
sust_emp_fs_both_fdFirst degree graduates in sustained employment, further study or both five years after graduation

Outcomes and earnings data

Filename
underlying_data.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2016-17 to 2022-23
Content
The primary dataset for the LEO graduate and postgraduate outcomes publication, containing employment outcomes and earnings of graduates by qualification level, subject studied and graduate characteristics.
Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
activity_not_capturedActivity not captured
age_bandAge band at start of study - Filter by Age band at start of study
country_of_domicile_groupedDomicile - Filter by Domicile
earnings_includeGraduates included in earnings figures
earnings_LQLower quartile of earnings of graduates
earnings_medianMedian earnings of graduates
earnings_UQUpper quartile of earnings of graduates
ethnicity_minorEthnicity - Filter by Ethnicity
fs_with_or_without_sust_empFurther study with or without sustained employment
FSMFree school meal status - Filter by Free school meal status
gradsGraduates
grads_ukGraduates included in outcomes calculation
inst_typeProvider type - Filter by Provider type
matchedMatched graduates
no_sust_destNo sustained destination
overseas_percentOverseas graduates
POLAR4Local area HE participation grouping - Filter by Local area HE participation grouping
prior_attainmentPrior attainment level - Filter by Prior attainment level
qualification_levelQualification level - Filter by Qualification level
region_name_currentRegion after HE study - Filter by Region after HE study
region_name_originRegion prior to HE study - Filter by Region prior to HE study
residenceTerm time residence - Filter by Term time residence
sexGraduate sex - Filter by Graduate sex
study_modeStudy mode - Filter by Study mode
subject_nameSubject studied - Filter by Subject studied
sust_emp_fs_or_bothSustained employment further study or both
sust_emp_onlySustained employment only
sust_emp_with_or_without_fsSustained employment with or without further study
unmatched_percentUnmatched graduates
YAGYears after graduation - Filter by Years after graduation
Footnotes
  1. Free school meals (FSM) status is based on the school census records at any point between school years 6 and 11.
  2. Prior attainment is defined by UCAS points achieved at A level. Three A/A* grades are equivalent to 360 points, while 180 points is equivalent to three D grades. A further explanation of prior attainment breakdowns, and a table of UCAS points and grade equivalents can be found in the methodology. 
  3. POLAR (participation of local areas) classifies local areas into quintiles based on the proportion of 18 year olds who enter higher education at age 18 or 19. Graduates from POLAR quintile 1 are from areas with the lowest rate of progression into higher education and graduates from POLAR quintile 5 are from areas with the highest rate of progression. POLAR is an indicator of the relative deprivation of a geographical area. For more information on POLAR, please see the methodology document. 
  4. In contrast to the UK domiciled section of this release, which uses matched graduates, employment and/or further study outcomes for international graduates are calculated as a percentage of all graduates, excluding only those identified by DWP/HMRC or SLC as permanently living overseas.

Real terms earnings data

Filename
real_terms_earnings_data.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2016-17 to 2022-23
Content
Nominal earnings and real terms earnings, by subject studied for UK domiciled first degree and level 7 graduates of English Higher Education providers.
Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
earnings_includeGraduates included in earnings figures
earnings_LQLower quartile of nominal earnings
earnings_LQ_RTELower quartile of real term earnings
earnings_medianMedian nominal earnings
earnings_median_RTEMedian real term earnings
earnings_UQUpper quartile of nominal earnings
earnings_UQ_RTEUpper quartile of real term earnings
gradsGraduates
grads_ukGraduates included in outcomes calculation
qualification_levelQualification level - Filter by Qualification level
subject_nameSubject studied - Filter by Subject studied
YAGYears after graduation - Filter by Years after graduation
Footnotes
  1. The adjustment for inflation used the 2016/17 tax year as a base year, hence real earnings in this year are presented as equal to nominal earnings. For 2017/18 to 2022/23 nominal earnings were adjusted using Consumer Price Index (CPIH) inflation rates at the end of each tax year relative to the end of the previous tax year.

Job quality underlying data

Filename
job_quality_data.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2019-20 to 2022-23
Content
Underlying dataset for the job quality sections of the LEO graduate and postgraduate outcomes publication, containing mean job quality scores by region and earnings bands.
Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
earnings_groupEarnings band - Filter by earnings band
mean_job_qualityMean job quality score
region_name_currentRegion after HE study - Filter by region after HE study
sample_sizeSample size
standard_errorStandard error

CAH level 3 subject data

Filename
cah3_subject_level_data.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2016-17 to 2022-23
Content
Employment outcomes and earnings data at a more granular subject level, using CAH3 level subjects.
Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
activity_not_capturedActivity not captured
CAH3_subjectSubject studied by CAH Level 3 subject group - Filter by CAH level 3 subject
earnings_includeGraduates included in earnings figures
earnings_LQLower quartile of earnings of graduates
earnings_medianMedian earnings of graduates
earnings_UQUpper quartile of earnings of graduates
fs_with_or_without_sust_empFurther study with or without sustained employment
gradsGraduates
grads_ukGraduates included in outcomes calculation
matchedMatched graduates
no_sust_destNo sustained destination
overseas_percentOverseas graduates
qualification_levelQualification level - Filter by Qualification level
sexGraduate sex - Filter by Graduate sex
sust_emp_fs_or_bothSustained employment further study or both
sust_emp_onlySustained employment only
sust_emp_with_or_without_fsSustained employment with or without further study
unmatched_percentUnmatched graduates
YAGYears after graduation - Filter by Years after graduation

Graduate movement data

Filename
movement_data.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2016-17 to 2022-23
Content
Data showing the regional movement of graduates before, during and after study.
Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
FSMFree school meal status - Filter by Free school meal status
gradsNumber of graduates
grads_ukGraduates included in outcomes calculation
matchedNumber of matched graduates
migration1Migration to univeristy - Filter by Migration to university
migration2Migration from univeristy - Filter by Migration from university
overseas_percentpercent of graduates that are overseas
POLAR4Local area HE participation grouping - Filter by Local area HE participation grouping
prop_overallProportion of graduates
region_name_originRegion prior to HE study - Filter by Region prior to HE study
selective_statusSelective status - Filter by Selective status
unmatched_percentUnmatched graduates
YAGYears after graduation - Filter by Years after graduation
Footnotes
  1. Free school meals (FSM) status is based on the school census records at any point between school years 6 and 11.
  2. POLAR (participation of local areas) classifies local areas into quintiles based on the proportion of 18 year olds who enter higher education at age 18 or 19. Graduates from POLAR quintile 1 are from areas with the lowest rate of progression into higher education and graduates from POLAR quintile 5 are from areas with the highest rate of progression. POLAR is an indicator of the relative deprivation of a geographical area. For more information on POLAR, please see the methodology document. 

International countries data

Filename
international_top20countries_data.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2016-17 to 2022-23
Content
Employment outcomes and earnings data for international graduates of English Higher Education providers, for the top 20 countries that had the largest first degree and level 7 cohorts (2020/21 academic year).
Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
activity_not_capturedActivity not captured
country_of_domicileCountry name - Filter by Country name
country_of_domicile_groupedDomicile - Filter by Domicile
earnings_includeGraduates included in earnings figures
earnings_LQLower quartile of earnings of graduates
earnings_medianMedian earnings of graduates
earnings_UQUpper quartile of earnings of graduates
fs_with_or_without_sust_empFurther study with or without sustained employment
gradsGraduates
grads_ukGraduates included in outcomes calculation
matchedMatched graduates
no_sust_destNo sustained destination
overseas_percentOverseas graduates
qualification_levelQualification level - Filter by Qualification level
sexGraduate sex - Filter by Graduate sex
sust_emp_fs_or_bothSustained employment further study or both
sust_emp_onlySustained employment only
sust_emp_with_or_without_fsSustained employment with or without further study
unmatched_percentUnmatched graduates
YAGYears after graduation - Filter by Years after graduation
Footnotes
  1. In contrast to the UK domiciled section of this release, which uses matched graduates, employment and/or further study outcomes for international graduates are calculated as a percentage of all graduates, excluding only those identified by DWP/HMRC or SLC as permanently living overseas.
  2. The top 20 countries by graduate population were calculated for the one year after graduation cohort (2020/21 academic year) for the 2022/23 tax year. These countries were used for subsequent analysis to allow for comparison between the remaining tax and academic years.

Industry data - 3 digit SIC level

Filename
industry_3digitSIC.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2022-23
Content
Underlying dataset for the industry and subject tables in the industry dashboard, showing the number of graduates and median graduate earnings in each industry up to the 3-digit Standard Industry Classification (SIC) code level.
Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
countNumber of graduates
current_regionCurrent region - Filter by current region of residence
earnings_medianMedian earnings
ethnicity_majorEthnicity - Filter by Ethnicity
FSMFree school meal status - Filter by Free school meal status
group_nameIndustry section group name - Filter by Industry section group of graduate employment (group name)
group_numberIndustry section group number - Filter by Industry section group of graduate employment (group number)
prior_attainmentPrior attainment level - Filter by Prior attainment level
qualification_levelQualification level - Filter by Qualification level
section_nameIndustry section - Filter by Industry section of graduate employment
sexGraduate sex - Filter by Graduate sex
subject_nameSubject studied - Filter by Subject studied
YAGYears after graduation - Filter by Years after graduation

Industry data - 5 digit SIC level

Filename
industry_5digitSIC.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2022-23
Content
A more granular breakdown of industry data, showing the number of graduates and median graduate earnings in each industry up to the 5-digit Standard Industry Classification (SIC) code level.
Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
countNumber of graduates
current_regionCurrent region - Filter by current region of residence
earnings_medianMedian earnings
ethnicity_majorEthnicity - Filter by Ethnicity
FSMFree school meal status - Filter by Free school meal status
group_nameIndustry group name - Filter by Industry group of graduate employment (group name)
group_numberIndustry group number - Filter by Industry group of graduate employment (3-digit SIC group number)
prior_attainmentPrior attainment level - Filter by Prior attainment level
qualification_levelQualification level - Filter by Qualification level
section_nameIndustry section - Filter by Industry section of graduate employment
sexGraduate sex - Filter by Graduate sex
sic_nameIndustry class name - Filter by Industry class of graduate employment (class name)
sic_numberIndustry class number - Filter by Industry class of graduate employment (5-digit SIC class number)
subject_nameSubject studied - Filter by Subject studied
YAGYears after graduation - Filter by Years after graduation

Industry data - industry flow 1-3 YAG

Filename
industry_flow_1_3_yag.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2016/17
Content
Underlying dataset for the industry flow analysis in the industry dashboard, showing movement between industries of graduates from academic year 2016/17 at one and three years after graduation.
Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
countNumber of graduates
industry_1_yagGraduate industry of employment one year after graduation - Filter by Graduate industry of employment one year after graduation
industry_3_yagGraduate industry of employment three year after graduation - Filter by Graduate industry of employment three year after graduation
qualification_levelQualification level - Filter by Qualification level
sexGraduate sex - Filter by Graduate sex
subject_nameSubject studied - Filter by Subject studied

Industry data - industry flow 3-5 YAG

Filename
industry_flow_3_5_yag.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2016/17
Content
Underlying dataset for the industry flow analysis in the industry dashboard, showing movement between industries of graduates from academic year 2016/17 at three and five years after graduation.
Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
countNumber of graduates
industry_3_yagGraduate industry of employment three year after graduation - Filter by Graduate industry of employment three year after graduation
industry_5_yagGraduate industry of employment five year after graduation - Filter by Graduate industry of employment five year after graduation
qualification_levelQualification level - Filter by Qualification level
sexGraduate sex - Filter by Graduate sex
subject_nameSubject studied - Filter by Subject studied

Industry data - regional

Filename
industry_regional_map.csv
Geographic levels
Regional
Time period
2022-23
Content
Underlying dataset for the regional analysis in the industry dashboard, showing by industry and subject studied the number of graduates training in and living in each region and median earnings by region.
Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
differenceDifference in number of graduates who studied in and are currently living in the region
difference_propThe difference as a proportion
earnings_medianMedian earnings of the graduates currently living in the region
living_in_regionNumber of graduates currently living in region
number_of_providersNumber of providers for the combination of subject studied and industry
qualification_levelQualification level - Filter by Qualification level
section_nameIndustry section - Filter by Industry section of graduate employment
subject_nameSubject studied - Filter by Subject studied
trained_in_regionNumber of graduates that studied in region
YAGYears after graduation - Filter by Years after graduation

Industry data - regional movement

Filename
industry_regional_movement.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2022-23
Content
Underlying dataset for the regional analysis in the industry dashboard, showing by industry and subject studied the movement of graduates from region of Higher Education provider to current region.
Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
countNumber of graduates
qualification_levelQualification level - Filter by Qualification level
region_name_currentGraduates' current reigon of residence - Filter by Graduate current region of residence
region_name_providerGraduates' higher education institution region - Filter by Graduate higher education institution region
section_nameIndustry section - Filter by Industry section of graduate employment
subject_nameSubject studied - Filter by Subject studied
YAGYears after graduation - Filter by Years after graduation