Glossary

The percentage of those students who responded either 'agree' or 'completely agree' to a National Student Survey question.

Includes these qualifications only.

Those validated by an Authorised Validating Agency licensed by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA).

Includes this qualification only.

The percentage of students who were active in their first year or study but were neither active nor had left with a qualification in the subsequent year.

Includes this qualification only.

Where the course has a small number of students, it is possible that the % Agree is less precise. This is more likely as the difference between the upper and lower percentages increases.

This is defined as all students who are progressing from their first year of study into their second year of study.

In a small number of cases data have been removed as there is evidence that the data may have been manipulated, it has therefore been removed from the site to ensure it is not misleading.

Includes first degrees e.g. bachelors, first degrees with eligibility to register to practice (doctor/dentist/veterinary surgeon), first degrees with qualified teacher status (QTS)/registration with the General Teaching Council (GTC) for Scotland, enhanced first degrees and first degrees obtained concurrently with diplomas.

Highest class of honours degree for the majority of universities and colleges in the UK.

Includes this qualification only.

On average, learning consists of over 16 hours of contact with a tutor or lecturer, per week with a minimum of 24 weeks study.

For those students who are not progressing into their following year of study, this is defined as those students who have achieved a qualification in one of the two comparison years AND that qualification is deemed to be equivalent to or higher than the qualification aimed for in the first of the two comparison years.

For those students who are not progressing into their following year of study, this is defined as those students who have achieved a qualification in one of the two comparison years AND that qualification is deemed to be lower than the qualification aimed for in the first of the two comparison years.

The ratio of Male to Female students. The percentage of people who have been classified as 'Indeterminate gender' can be calculated by adding together the ratios for Male and Female and taking this figure away from 100. 'Indeterminate' means unable to be classified as either male or female. It is not used as a substitute or proxy for 'Not known'. The term 'indeterminate gender' is intended to identify those who are 'intersex' and is not related in any way to trans-gender.

The lower end of the range of responses that contribute to the % Agree figure. Where the course has a small number of students, it is possible that the % Agree figure is less precise. This is more likely as the difference between the upper and lower percentages increases.

Those students who are not continuing into their following year of study and have not been awarded a qualification in either of the two comparison years. Also includes students who have been inactive for two successive years.

The third highest class of honours degree, after a first class honours degree and upper second class honours degree.

For undergraduate level, this is the percentage of students who are 21 or over on commencing their course of study. For postgraduate level, this is the percentage of students who are 25 or over on commencing their course of study.

The institution does not require the student to hold a qualification on entry, or it is known that the student has no formal qualification. Also includes instances where nothing is known about the student's qualifications.

The number of students who responded to the survey out of those who were eligible to respond to the survey.

The class of degree obtained is not relevant to the other undergraduate study level.

UCAS points achieved and class of degree obtained are not relevant to the postgraduate study level. For UCAS points achieved, this is because the UCAS Tariff framework does not currently include equivalent points for degree results. For class of degree obtained, the information shown on Unistats only relates to the results of students studying at an undergraduate level.

Scottish institutions are not required to provide this information. Please note that the 'Scottish Ordinary' degree is not equivalent to an ordinary degree awarded by, for example, an English institution.

Some data is not currently collected for certain study modes and study levels but may be in the future.

There are a number of reasons that there is not enough data to show on the site. For example where the number of students for which data is available is relatively small. For the National Student Survey information is only displayed where at least 23 students have returned the questionnaire, and where at least half the students asked to take part have responded. If the subject is new to the university, information about it may not be available yet.

An honours degree which is not eligible for classification. Classifications, for other honours degrees, include first class, upper second class and lower/undivided second class.

Scottish institutions do not take part in the National Student Survey (NSS) except in a few examples where the institution themselves have asked to be included. Those institutions who do not participate in the NSS are indicated by the "not taking part" message.

Is the percentage of students studying the subject at the uni whose normal residence prior to commencing their programme of study was outside the UK and the EU. The EU includes the Channel Islands and Isle of Man for the purposes of Unistats.

A degree without honours.

This covers any higher education qualifications not covered by the categories: Access course, first degree or higher, BTEC National Diploma, Baccalaureate, A/AS Levels/Highers or mixture of level 3 qualifications or Foundation course(HE or FE level).

'Other honours' indicates any degree with honours except for those with a first or second class award. 'Pass' indicates an honours degree where the student has achieved the minimum standard required.

Includes GCSE/O-level qualifications, SCE O grades and SQA Standard grades. Also includes other non-advanced qualifications.

Include Foundation Degrees, diplomas in HE, Higher National Diplomas (HND), Higher National Certificates (HNC), Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHE), Certificates of Higher Education (CertHE), foundation courses at HE level.

Usually where the learning consists of less than 16 hours per week in contact with a tutor or lecturer.

Includes doctorate degrees, master's degrees, higher bachelor's degrees, postgraduate diplomas and certificates, and PGCEs.

Is where the qualification aim is a research-based higher degree.

Where the qualification aim is a taught higher degree.

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) is an independent body funded by subscriptions from higher education institutions and through contracts with the main higher education funding bodies. QAA's mission is to safeguard the public interest in sound standards of higher education qualifications and to inform and encourage continuous improvement in the management of the quality of higher education. To fulfil its role, QAA carries out external reviews of universities and colleges and publishes these review reports on its website.

The number of students enrolled on courses in the subject area and actively studying. This will differ from the number who completed the National Student Survey as it includes all students while the National Student Survey captures data in their final years.

Is the percentage of students studying that subject at that Uni who said they agree to the National Student Survey question "Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course".

Is either First degree e.g. BA, BSc, Other undergraduate e.g. HND, HNC, Foundation Degree or Postgraduate e.g. postgraduate research and postgraduate taught studies.

Indicates whether you are interested in studying part time or full time. Although other modes of study (e.g. online or distance learning) are sometimes available, we don't have enough information on this to share on the site.

The Unistats site contains information about subject areas rather than specific courses and therefore it is not currently possible to find course specific information. We will be collecting information at course level in the future and the site will be updated when this becomes available. If a subject area is new to the university or college that you are interested in, information about that subject might not be available yet, for us to display. An alternative way of searching is to use the subject A-Z function. It displays the subjects in a tree hierarchy with the main subject areas listed and then the subjects that fall under each of these main headings (up to 3 levels available where relevant). Selecting any heading will provide information at that level if available or at a higher level if not.

Those students who successfully completed the course and are currently employed, 6 months after graduation, give details of their employment and employer. From this, a standard occupational classification is applied, which is linked to one of the following job types:-

Administrative occupations - Finance	Financial institution and office managers	Process, plant and machine operatives
Administrative occupations - General Secretarial and related occupations	Functional managers	Public service and other associate professionals
Administrative occupations - Government and related organisations	Health and social services managers	Public service professionals
Administrative occupations - Records	Health associate professionals	Quality and customer care managers
Administrative occupations Communications	Health professionals	Research professionals
Architects, town planners, surveyors	Information and communication technology professionals	Sales and related associate professionals
Artistic and literary occupations	IT service delivery occupations	Sales assistants and retail cashiers
Business and finance associate professionals	Legal associate professionals	Sales related occupations
Business and statistical professionals	Legal professionals	Science and engineering technicians
Caring personal service occupations	Leisure and other personal service occupations	Science professionals
Conservation associate professionals	Librarians and related professionals	Skilled trades occupations
Corporate managers and senior officials	Managers in distribution, storage and retailing	Social welfare associate professionals
Customer service occupations	Managers and proprietors in agriculture and services	Sports and fitness occupations
Design associate professionals	Media associate professionals	Teaching professionals
Draughtspersons and building inspectors	Production managers	Therapists
Elementary occupations	Protective service occupations	Transport associate professionals
Engineering professionals	Protective service officers

The upper end of the range of responses that contribute to the % Agree figure. Where the course has a small number of students, it is possible that the % Agree figure is less precise. This is more likely as the difference between the upper and lower percentages increases.

Number of points that first year students achieved by the time that they started the course, as calculated using the UCAS Tariff framework. 'Entry requirements' for an individual course may use the same points framework however, the requirements for a course are not what is displayed on the Unistats site. The UCAS Tariff framework provides comparisons between levels and volumes of achievement. More information on the framework, including the number of points for each qualification, can be found by visiting the UCAS Tariff section on the UCAS website.

Search helps you find the Uni or College that you're interested in. The search will look for keywords in the institution's name.

Unistats is a website which brings together authoritative, official information in one place. The information is provided by HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency), LSC (Learning and Skills Council) and the National Student Survey (run by HEFCE - Higher Education Funding Council for England).

The second highest class of honours degree, after a first class honours degree.

Those students that are in employment or undertaking further study as a percentage of all students who studied at that uni or who studied a particular subject at that uni.

For undergraduate level, this is the percentage of students who are less than 21 years of age on commencing their course of study. For postgraduate level, this is the percentage of students who are less than 25 years of age on commencing their course of study.