Library: Education: Statistics and data

What is data? What is statistics?

"Data is made up of raw numbers, typically with many variables...Statistics are the interpretation of raw data, often to show relationships among variables." This quote is taken from the webpage, What is the difference between data and statistics?, by Lenoir-Rhyne University Libraries.

We provide a reference collection of statistics and data publications on Level 5, in front of the Information Point: this collection contains journals and books covering a wide range of social science topics, including education, whereas the resources listed here on this webpage have been selected by me to provide you with some starting-points from which to identify education-related data and statistics.

Sources of UK statistics and data

Statistics at DfE
The Department for Education publishes official statistics on education and children.
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Statistics published from May 2010 onwards are available on GOV.UK: for earlier statistics, visit the National Archives website.
Research and statistics at gov.uk
The part of the UK Government website for statistics about education, training and skills.
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Statistics published from May 2010 onwards are available on GOV.UK: for earlier statistics, visit the National Archives website.

data.gov.uk This link opens in a new window
Open data on the UK government website: select Education as the Topic.
Office for National Statistics This link opens in a new window
Data and analysis about early years' childcare, school and college education, higher education and adult learning.
UK Data Service This link opens in a new window
Funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), this is the largest collection of economic, social and population data in the UK. Browse by theme, to access education data.
Coverage includes the British Crime Survey, British Household Panel Survey, General Household Survey, Labour Force Survey and the World Bank's data.
Further content includes the British Cohort Study, International Social Survey Programme, Millennium Cohort Study, National Statistics Time Series and statistics from the IMF and IEA (International Energy Agency).
To access some data, you need to log in/register with UK Data Service. Some datasets restrict access e.g. where commercial usage might be sought, permission could be required or sponsoring organisations may vet publications.

Statistics at Ofsted
Data and statistics on inspections and outcomes of services providing education and skills for learners of all ages.
HESA (the Higher Education Statistics Agency)
HESA collects and publishes information about UK higher education.
Statistics at SLC
The Student Loans Company's statistics about the financial support received by learners and the progress of student loan balances and repayment.
Department of Education (Northern Ireland)
Statistics and research produced on behalf of the department.
Statistics and research (Scotland)
Statistics and research produced on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Statistics and research (Wales)
Statistics and research produced on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Sources of international statistics and data

Department of Education and Skills (Ireland)
Information and open data held by the department.
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Part of the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences, the NCES is the primary federal entity for collecting and analysing data related to education.

OECD This link opens in a new window
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's gateway to its publications, including factbooks, periodicals, statistical series, working papers and databases.

Statista: Education & Science
Statista is a Google-like search tool for market research and statistics, with facts and figures easily displayed in charts and graphs.
This is the link to its Overview of the Education & Science industry around the world: to look for a particular topic, use the Search Statistics box in the top right corner of Statista.
University of Bath Library's Research Data Service
Our Research Data Service provides information about how to find existing research datasets that you can use for your project, and how to cite data that you have used.
UNESCO Institute for Statistics: Data for the Sustainable Development Goals
Cross-nationally comparable statistics from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

World Bank Open Data This link opens in a new window
Indicators for education include expenditure, enrolment, attainment and literacy rate.

World Development Indicators (WDI)
Customise the data indicators by selecting Education as a Subject.
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The extensive collection of development data includes social, economic, financial, natural resources and environmental indicators. The WDI is hosted by the UK Data Service.