IHEC Report: Urgent Call for Improved Data Management in UK International Education

The International Higher Education Commission (IHEC) has released a report, "Data Matters in Higher Education," highlighting significant gaps and delays in data management within the UK's international education sector. The report criticizes the Home Office for withholding crucial information by rejecting Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and releasing figures with substantial delays.

Key Issues and Recommendations

IHEC's chair, Chris Skidmore, emphasized the unacceptability of the current situation where data on overseas student recruitment is not available for up to two years. The report argues that this delay hinders the sector's ability to make informed decisions and develop effective policies.

Comparison with Australia

The report uses Australia's approach as a benchmark, noting that Australia's Home Affairs department updates its PRISMS software in near real-time, providing up-to-date information on student visas and enrolments. This system contrasts sharply with the UK's outdated methods, where data lag significantly affects decision-making.

Graduate Outcomes

One of the critical areas identified is the lack of comprehensive data on graduate outcomes. The response rate for the graduate outcome survey was only 18% for the academic year 2020/21, primarily because HESA stopped calling international students to cut costs. This low response rate raises concerns about the employability data of international graduates, which is a crucial factor for prospective students considering studying in the UK.

Net Migration Figures

The report also addresses the issue of how international students are counted in net migration statistics. It recommends excluding students who are in the country for only a year or less from these figures to provide a more accurate representation of long-term migration trends.

IHEC suggests that the UK should adopt a consolidated approach to reporting education exports, similar to Australia. Currently, the UK separates education-related travel expenses from non-travel related education service exports, which the report argues does not fully capture the economic contribution of the sector.

Need for Real-Time Data

The report calls for the acceleration of the Data Futures program to enable in-year collection and reporting of data. This initiative would allow for timely updates on various metrics such as course start and end dates, non-continuation and drop-out rates, and new student entrants.

Stakeholder Reactions

Virginia Macchiavello, associate vice president for international development at Centennial College, sees the restructuring and focus on better data management as an opportunity for innovation. She emphasizes the need for the sector to adapt and leverage these changes to drive positive outcomes.

David Pilsbury, the commission's secretary, highlighted the importance of comprehensive data in securing positive outcomes from policy reviews. He noted that private companies often provide more real-time data, which is currently essential due to the gaps left by official sources.

Conclusion

The IHEC report underscores the urgent need for improved data management and transparency within the UK's international education sector. By adopting best practices from countries like Australia and ensuring timely and accurate data collection, the sector can make more informed decisions and develop policies that support sustainable growth. Addressing these data deficiencies is crucial for maintaining the UK's competitive edge in the global education market and ensuring that international students receive the support and information they need.