Postcode to POLAR group look-up file
The file below is a look-up between unit postcode and the five-level POLAR participation classification based on 1997-1999 cohorts and 1991 Census ward geography. It is intended to assist those carrying out geographical analysis using the POLAR groupings.
The look-up is based on the National Statistics Postcode Directory together with additional information from the General Register Office for Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. Further processing to ensure consistency with the postcode look-ups current during the calculation of POLAR is used, and we remove some postcodes for technical reasons relating to robust participation measurement. Postcodes not included in this look-up file should be treated as being of unknown participation level. We are only able to provide a look-up to the POLAR category itself - users requiring more comprehensive geographical look-ups should obtain a postcode directory.
This version of the postcode to POLAR group look-up was used in the calculation of the area-based widening access funding for 2007-08. For the purposes of allocating this funding the classification is extended to include a simple participation estimate for wards in Northern Ireland (this does not include HE participation in FE colleges in Northern Ireland; see page 23 in HEFCE 2005/03).
We are currently updating our area-based participation classifications and will provide a similar look-up file to the revised groupings when that work is complete. For further information contact Mark Gittoes, tel 0117 931 7052, e-mail m.gittoes@hefce.ac.uk.
Postcode to POLAR group look-up file
[ Zipped CSV 5.7Mb ]
Copyright
Unit postcodes are the copyright of Royal Mail. The copyright for this classification of areas is held by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). This classification may be used or reproduced provided that the source is acknowledged and the classification, wholly or in part, is not used for commercial gain. Use of the classification for commercial gain requires the prior written permission of HEFCE.
Last updated 11 November 2010