The latest Performance Indicators for Higher Education in the UK show that the University is performing well against its benchmark for attracting undergraduate students from state schools or colleges.
UK Performance Indicators are a range of statistical indicators intended to offer an objective measure of how an HE provider is performing. Benchmarks, set by HEFCE, are used to show how well an HE provider is performing compared to the whole sector. These benchmarks are based on sector average values of data but adjusted to account for differences between HE providers.
According to the update by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) the University is also above its benchmark for full-time young first degree entrants from low participation neighbourhoods amongst indicators for Widening Participation of Under-represented Groups.
Further Indicators released this week show that Southampton has made improvements in the proportion of full-time young first degree entrants from specified socio-economic backgrounds.
For part-time entrants (including mature students), Southampton remains above the benchmark with the difference decreasing over the last three years, again due to the benchmark increasing. The number of full-time mature students from low participation backgrounds as a proportion of the student body decreased in 2014/2015.
The University’s performance against indicators relating to students with a disability is level with the benchmark for full-time students and below the benchmark for part-time students.
Professor Alex Neill, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education), said:
“It’s clear from this set of performance indicators that we do well in attracting excellent students from a wide range of backgrounds, and we’ll continue our focus on work to ensure that we attract the brightest and the best students, irrespective of their background,”
HESA will release updated non-continuation indicators in March which show whether students continued in higher education, with employment indicators due to be updated in July.
Further information regarding the HESA Performance Indicators for Widening Participation of Under-represented Groups is available on their website.