Benchmarking
The factors used to construct benchmarks
We periodically review the selection and grouping of benchmarking factors used in the construction of student outcome and experience measures used in OfS regulation.
We apply the guiding principles for benchmarking factors to complete these reviews. They normally involve the application of statistical modelling to understand the relationships between a range of candidate benchmarking factors and different student outcomes or experiences in higher education in England.
Our current benchmarking factors result from a review of the selection and grouping of benchmarking factors in 2022. They are used to calculate benchmarks for the Student outcomes data dashboard, TEF indicators and National Student Survey (NSS) results.
We expect to review the factors used to benchmark student experience measures constructed from NSS responses in 2024.
Our current benchmarking factors are:
| Benchmarking factor | Continuation | Completion | Progression | Student experience |
| Year of survey | ✘ | ✘ |
✔ |
✔ |
| Level of study |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
| Entry qualifications |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✘ |
| Course length |
✔ (Part-time only) |
✔ (except for apprenticeships) |
✘ | ✘ |
| ABCS quintiles |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✘ |
| Geography of employment quintiles | ✘ |
✘ |
✔ |
✘ |
| Individual student characteristics | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
✔ Age Disability Ethnicity Sex (full-time only) |
For more information, see the ‘Benchmarking’ section of our description of student outcome and experience measures.
Describe your experience of using this website