Update on OfS data collection

This follows a number of significant developments in higher education that are likely to affect the regulator’s data requirements. These include the designation of Jisc as the designated data body, the OfS’s new approach to regulating equality of opportunity, and an increased focus on the cost of living for students.

The OfS consulted on a range of data issues in December 2021, in three parts:

• the approach to in-year student collection data
• other changes to data collection
• the use of linked and third-party data.

In May 2022, the OfS confirmed changes to part one – with in-year data collection required from 2024-25. Decisions on part two and three of the consultation will not be taken at this time.

Richard Puttock, Director of Data, Foresight and Analysis at the OfS said:

‘The purpose of this consultation was to ensure that the OfS collects the data we need for regulatory purposes, while minimising unnecessary burden for the universities and colleges we regulate. This helps us regulate in a risk-based way.

‘Given the significant developments in the sector, any decisions we take now on these issues would likely need to be revisited in the short or medium term as we develop our understanding of future data requirements. This would increase uncertainty – and could lead to additional burden if we were to conclude we needed to reintroduce requirements that had been previously removed.’