• applicants: age, sex, social class, ethnicity, disability, domicile (country/region), educational sector, grade or tariff score, qualification type;

• applications: institution code, subject group, level of course (degree/foundation degree/HND), offers made by HEI, initial decision by applicant, final outcome;

• institution details: institution name, country/ region, type (eg pre or post 1992), mission groups (eg Russell group).

Using these data we will construct derived variables to analyse change over time in the characteristics of applicants and entrants.

Information about the characteristics of applicants and entrants, and their choices and decisions, will be used to characterise each institution and analyse differentiation between HEIs.

The data are confidential and will be analysed within a secure data environment.