External Returns

The University of Wolverhampton is required to submit various external data returns in order to operate as a Higher Education provider in the UK.

External returns are defined as any data return or submission which the University of Wolverhampton is required to make to an external body or agency.

There are several returns that are requirements of our continued registration with the Office for Students (OfS) such as the Annual Finance Record and HESES.  An institution will, for example, need to make returns about, its finances, the student body, its staff and the estate and there are also other external regulatory bodies that collect data or require submissions from the University of Wolverhampton including the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Student Loan Company (SLC).

The frequency of submissions varies but external returns can be made monthly, quarterly and annually.

Here are some more detailed examples of the type of data that we submit to external bodies:

Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Aggregate Offshore Record  – Collects and reports data on overall student numbers by country, level of study, and type of study for students studying entirely outside of the UK.

Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Provider Profile - this shows how our teaching in academic subject areas is divided across our departments and faculties. Data is used to compare across HESA statutory returns at different institutions by matching activity, staff, students and finance across academic cost centres. It is also used to create more meaningful benchmarking.

Higher Education Students Early Statistics survey (HESES) - this gives an early indication of actual and forecasted student numbers for the next academic year. It is produced via information extracted from the Student Records system and is used by OfS to determine teaching grant funding for programmes. It is then compared to the detailed final HESA Student Return and the ILR (Apprentices) to finalise funding.

Initial Teacher Training (ITT) - The Department for Education (DfE) requires course detail and personal information for trainees on initial teacher education courses leading to qualified teacher status.  This data is collected by HESA on behalf of the DfE through the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) record and is used for census and funding purposes.

Discover Uni (previously known as UNISTATS) - The Discover Uni record contains course information about students. It is collected to help prospective students make direct comparisons between foundation and first-degree level courses at different universities and colleges across the UK, helping them choose what and where to study.

Oversight and Scrutiny

The External Returns Assurance Framework ensures a standardised approach to the submission of Statutory Returns across the University and that we meet our external regulatory obligations.

The framework intends to ensure that all staff are clear on their roles and responsibilities and provides assurance that the submission of all returns has followed the correct checks and governance procedures, with the appropriate oversight.

The operation of the Framework is supported by the Corporate Compliance Unit (CCU) on behalf of the University Executive Board (UEB) and Audit and Risk Committee.

All external returns are held in a central register that uses a RAG system (based on the impact and likelihood of error) to grade the different returns. The Corporate Compliance Unit (CCU) maintains a strategic view of all statutory returns, with a particular focus on those that are conditions for registration with the OfS, and to ensure risks are managed appropriately.

The framework has recently been revised and updated and more information will be available on these pages soon.  In the meantime, if you have any queries related to external returns, please contact us at compliance@wlv.ac.uk