The designated data body

Data Futures programme

Jisc's Data Futures programme aimed to make data collection and reporting in higher education more efficient. It implemented the first change to student data systems in more than two decades.

The programme was designed to support in-year data collection, assurance and dissemination of higher education data. 

It concluded in 2024 having partially achieved these ambitions, with many of the next steps to more fully realise these ambitions absorbed into Jisc’s day-to-day operations. The in-year data programme was launched in 2025 to take forward the introduction of in-year student data collection.

Read more about Data Futures on the HESA website

Independent review

In 2024, on behalf of the devolved nations, we commissioned an independent review of the issues experienced in delivering the first year of data collection as an output of the Data Futures programme.

We appointed Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) to undertake this review. PwC talked to sector groups and a selection of institutions across the UK to inform its work. 

The independent review was published in January 2025.

Read the independent review

Independent review of Data Futures programme published

Read our news article
Published 23 July 2024
Last updated 29 January 2026
29 January 2026
Page moved to new web section on the DDB.
29 January 2025
Updated following the publication of the independent review.
04 October 2024
Update on progress with report.

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