Data checking tool

AFR25 higher education student FTEs

The Annual Financial Return 2025 (AFR25) higher education student FTEs data summary is intended to help providers understand in detail how Student data can be used to populate the FTEs in the AFR25.

The output contains Year 1 and Year 2 FTEs, derived from the 2023-24 and 2024-25 Student data.

This output is only available to providers whose financial year end aligns with the academic year used in the Student record, i.e. 31 July 2025.

See the AFR25 data checking tool technical document and rebuild instructions

Following the reduction in data checking tool outputs being produced this year, providers can find relevant information within the credibility reports provided through the HDP. For example:

• To consider student numbers, credibility reports SEN1 shows student numbers by mode and level of study, and credibility reports FTE1ENW_S, FTE2ENW_S and FTE3ENW show student numbers and corresponding average FTEs by mode and level of study for each of the starters, leavers and continuing populations respectively.
• To consider attainment data as reported in respect of transparency, credibility reports QRES1 shows student numbers by the classification of first degree awarded.
• To consider funding populations, credibility reports FUND1 and FUND2 in the Funding chapter show student numbers by fundability, level of study and country of permanent address, for full-time and part-time populations respectively.

How long does it take to process the file(s)?

Our systems will begin to process files as soon as they are transferred to us via the HDP. There will be a short waiting period before the output file is made available to providers. During particularly busy periods, this waiting time may increase.

How do I view the output file?

You can access the data checking tool output file by submitting data to the HDP. Once processing is complete, your file can be downloaded from the ‘IRIS’ report, under the section ‘Additional Collection Reports’.

My output file is missing, incomplete or incorrect. Who should I contact?

If there are any issues with the output file, please email [email protected].

How will the data I supply to create the outputs be used by the OfS?

The data checking tool is a tool for providers. OfS staff will access data submitted to, or derived by, the data checking tool in the following circumstances:

• to assist providers with queries about their outputs and data
• to test the functionality of forthcoming outputs and the application of overrides
• to produce early modelling
• to verify future data returns
• where a provider explicitly gives permission.

We do not intend to use data processed by the data checking tool to make decisions about individual providers. We can provide further information on how we handle personal data on request.

Will data amendments for 2023-24 and earlier years be incorporated in these outputs?

Please see the technical documents for each individual output for more information on whether they include amendments for 2023-24 and earlier years.