Monitoring Using HESA Data

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Monitoring Using HESA Data

• Ben Grassby

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Two main parts

• A Derived Statistics Monitoring Exercise
• A Web Facility to Prepare For The Above

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Purpose of the monitoring exercise

• Monitor the allocation of funds
• Improve data quality and usability of HEFCE and
  HESA returns
• Increase our understanding of these returns

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The basics The derived statistics exercise

• HEFCE receive data from HESA.
• Re-creations produced and compared to original
  returns. (SAS algorithms)
• Select institutions to respond and reconcile.
• HESA data errors
• HESES errors
• Algorithms
• RAS, HESES, Cost Centres

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The basics The derived statistics exercise

• HESA data amended (at cost).
• Re-creation supersedes original return.
• WP Allocations calculated on HESA data.
• Grant adjustment affect multiple years.
• Typically takes several months to conclude

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Outputs from the exercise and web facility (wf)

• Basics of the derived statistics exercise.
• Introduction to the web facility.
• Typical outputs
• HESES re-creation
• Re-creation by cost centre (TRAC)
• Cost centre sector norm.
• RAS re-creation
• Derived statistics for WP
• Research degree rates of qualification (wf)
• Derived statistics for regional statistics (wf)
• Non completion toolkit
• The individualised file.

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Selection

• Based on thresholds
• Two distinct parts to the exercise
• Thresholds are not points to reconcile to
• Separate exercise to other assurance audit
  functions. Inform each other.

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Typical Calendar

• June - Web facility launched
• October - HESA data signed off
• December/Jan Exercise launched
• February Action plans
• March Amendments
• May Interim Grant Adj.

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HESES re-creation

• Presents original HESES and re-creation
• FTS (Table 1a) Medical and Dental (1b) SWOUT
  (Table 2) PT (Table 3)
• Grant Adjustments and calculation sheets.
• Summary information.
• Differences to be investigated using
  troubleshooting guidance individualised file
• Area of difference
• HESA Amendment before submission
• HESES Investigation and preparation
• Algorithms Problems of fit can be informed

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HESES re-creation based on cost sector norm.

• Same outputs as the main HESES05 re-creation
• activity allocated to cost centres based upon the
  member of staff most directly associated with the
  subject.
• We use a norm mapping of activity rather than an
  individual institutions mapping.

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RAS re-creation

• Re-create fundable home and EC fee. paying tables
  for comparison.
• Re-create the supervision funding report.
• Individualised file.
• Summary reports.
• Approximations including mapping of UofA to
  subjects.

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WP allocations

• HESA2005-06 informs 07-08 allocations
• Widening access for students from disadvantaged
  backgrounds. (Postcodes)
• Improving retention for FT students (age and
  entry qualifications)
• Widening access for disabled students (DSA)

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Derived statistics web facility

• Normally released in Summer before HESA data
  submitted
• Chance to dry run the exercise and make
  corrections.
• Non-mandatory
• Non use often leads to selection for main
  exercise.

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HESES05 re-creation as an example of advantages
to web facility

• Web facility is not mandatory.
• Data submitted is anonymous.
• Can be re-submitted many times (quickly).
• Allows identification of HESES errors far in
  advance of exercise.
• No funding adjustments.
• Previous exercises, correlation between
  selection and non-use.

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Regional Statistics

• Web facility opportunity to verify underlying
  data.
• HESA 2006-07 student data produces
• Franchised data
• Campus data
• Distance learning data
• Provision by location
• Individualised file

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Non-completion toolkit

• Excel pivot table.
• Select influential forecast variables.
• Estimates of non-completion created.
• Only an aide, institutions should use own
  judgement.
• Errors in HESA data or small sample sizes need to
  be considered.

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Research Degree Rates of Qualification

• Time taken to obtain qualification
• Based on HESA student data
• Links across multiple years
• 99/00 FT cohort to be published in 2007

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Using the web facility

• https//extranet.hedata.ac.uk
• Essentially upload your HESA file and download
  the results.
• Data does not need to have passed all of HESAs
  validation
• Retain Leading zeros! (e.g. RECID)
• Can process ZIP files