Number of students in HE studying off island

Summary

A request was made for the number of higher education students studying off-island over the past 10 years, specifically distinguishing between UK and international locations. The Department of Education, Sport and Culture disclosed figures for the last six years only, noting that data could not be broken down by location and excluded unfunded students.

Key Facts

• The Department only retains student records for six years following the end of studies.
• The provided figures only include students who received financial support from the Department.
• The Department cannot distinguish between students studying in the UK versus overseas.
• Data for the requested 10-year period was not fully available due to retention policies.
• The request was received on 31 January 2022 and responded to on 8 March 2022.

Data Disclosed

• 2016-2017: 912 students
• 2017-2018: 924 students
• 2018-2019: 949 students
• 2019-2020: 999 students
• 2020-2021: 1019 students
• 2021-2022: 943 students
• Case ID: 2223577
• Date received: 2022-01-31
• Outcome date: 2022-03-09

Exemptions Cited

• Information not held due to Department retention schedule (6 years)

Original Request

I would like to know the number of students in higher education who chose to move off-island in order to study. The primary focus is students choosing to study in the UK, however any information concerning Manx students studying internationally, or the number of students receiving student award grants for off-island institutions will also be relevant.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

8th March 2022 Policy, Strategy and Governance Division Department of Education, Sport and Culture Thie Slieau Whallian Foxdale Road, St John’s Isle of Man IM4 3AS Telephone: (01624) 685808 Website: www.gov.im/dec Email: dec@foi.gov.im Our ref: 2223577 Dear ###,

We write further to your request which was received on 31st January 2022 and which states:

“I am currently working on a research project as a Business Management student at UCM and I would like to know the number of students in higher education who chose to move off-island in order to study. The primary focus is students choosing to study in the UK, however any information concerning Manx students studying internationally, or the number of students receiving student award grants for off-island institutions will also be relevant.” On 1st March 2022 you clarified the information you are seeking is specifically: “Figures for each individual year, of the past 10 academic years” While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold some of the information that you have requested. The reason for this being, the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC) holds student records for six years following the end of their studies, in accordance with the Department’s retention schedule. Please note the figures detailed below are for students that received support from the Department towards their tuition costs, the figures do not include students who have studied off Island during that time that did not receive funding from the Department. The Department is unable to break the below figures down to discern between students studying in the United Kingdom and Overseas. I have detailed below the information that is held. Academic Year Number of students studying in Off Island Institutions 2016-2017 912 2017-2018 924 2018-2019 949 2019-2020 999 2020-2021 1019 2021-2022 943 Please quote the reference number 2223577 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.