An analysis of the employment and earning returns to Higher Education for graduates with undergraduate degrees using administration data

The Department for Education is responsible for developing the evidence base underpinning Higher Education and Graduate Labour Market policies. We look to take advantage of the development of a new administrative database called Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) within this contract. This new dataset will enable the identified parties to develop new analysis into the returns to Higher Education for undergraduates and postgraduates. The analysis shall provide a more comprehensive picture of graduate labour outcomes to the economy, and individuals, and taxpayers, and develop an understanding how these vary by subject, provider and student characteristics.

Thus, the project will facilitate an improved understanding of the value added by an undergraduate degree for individuals, institutions and courses. This shall aid policymakers when considering the effectiveness of the existing system, as well as in the longer term help students receive more information than ever before when choosing between whether to continue with their education into Higher Education, Further Education or entering the labour market.