Redesigning the data and information landscape

It will implement the recommendations of the report, 'A pathway to reform' by the HE data and information landscape project, initiated by the Interim Regulatory Partnership Group.

Work programme

The programme of work is made up of four strands which are set out below.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) leads the project on behalf of the Regulatory Partnership Group. Sir Tim Wilson, Chair of the HE Better Regulation Group (HEBRG), chairs a steering group.

Strand 1 – Governance of HE data and information exchange

Strand 1 will research, develop and negotiate a model for the governance of data and information exchange across the HE sector.

This will aim to deliver outcomes, including:

• terms of reference
• an identity
• how the governance arrangements will operate in practice and ways to support institutions
• resources to ensure a sustainable approach.

Strand 2 – Sector-level data model, lexicon and thesaurus

Second, the programme will define and agree the core elements of a ‘common data language’ for HE data collections. In practice this will mean a standard data model, lexicon and thesaurus.

To do this, the project will analyse and compare the main ways in which the sector requests and submits data, and consider how HE providers respond to these requests. It will also compare its findings with equivalent structures, such as the Further Education Information Authority and the Education, Skills and Children’s Services Information Standards Board to identify further opportunities for standardisation.

This common data language will form the basis of future development and standardisation in the HE sector. It is expected that the new governance framework will specify how it will be managed and maintained.

Strand 3 – Inventory of data collections

The programme will also work with HE Providers and all types of data collectors to establish a definitive inventory of data collections for the HE sector.

This aims to help institutions by setting out clearly the full extent of what they report.

Over 550 reporting lines have been identified across the sector, including those involving professional, statutory and regulatory bodies.  A definitive and reliable list will help to rationalise requests for data and enable those requesting the data to know what has already been collected.

Strand 4 – Specific areas of data standards

Strand 4 covers two specific areas of data specification:

• Joint Academic Coding System (JACS) development
  Building on the experience of using JACS versions 1, 2 and 3, this will establish requirements for a sector-wide subject coding system, and develop a framework that supports future development of the system and use by a broader set of stakeholders.

• Unique Learner Number (ULN) implementation
  Many benefits could be realised through better data sharing, linking and standardisation. A key enabler is the adoption of a standard person identifier that will work across different data collections. This will also, in the medium to long term, replace the many different personal identifiers that HE Providers have to maintain. This piece of work will look at any obstacles to this approach and a roadmap for its implementation. 

Further information is available from Andy Youell.

Page last updated 19 November 2012