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The report finds that incomplete data  on student characteristics is hindering an accurate assessment of participation  in higher education

SOUTH NORFOLK MP Richard Bacon has called on universities to get better information on their students, as a report finds that poor data is hindering an accurate assessment of participation in higher education. Mr Bacon said: “It is hard to believe universities do not know who they are teaching.  Students enrol on courses, apply for student loans, live in halls of residence and attend lectures.  How many opportunities to collect this data do universities need?”.

“If information is needed on students’ backgrounds, then the answer is simple.  Ask the students”.

Mr Bacon was speaking as the National Audit Office published its report on widening participation in higher education.  The report finds that incomplete data on student characteristics is hindering an accurate assessment of participation in higher education. 

In 2006, 34 per cent of full-time and 93.4 per cent of part-time undergraduate students had missing socio-economic data.  There was also no ethnicity data recorded for 3 per cent of full-time and 10.7 per cent of part-time undergraduate students. 

25 June 2008
 

See also:
NAO REPORT: Widening participation in higher education