Data Futures programme

Jisc's Data Futures programme aims to make data collection and reporting in higher education more efficient. This is the first change to student data systems in more than two decades.

The programme is designed to support in-year data collection, assurance and dissemination of higher education data.

Independent review

In 2024, on behalf of the devolved nations, we commissioned an independent review of the issues experienced in delivering the first year of the Data Futures programme.

We appointed Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) to undertake this review. PwC talked to sector groups and a selection of institutions across the UK to inform its work. 

The independent review was published in January 2025.

Steering group

A steering group was in place to oversee the review.

The group was chaired by Margaret Monckton, former chief financial officer at the University of Nottingham. She was joined by representatives from sector bodies and the devolved nations who have expertise in the collection of higher education data.

The steering group met monthly. They:

• reviewed and endorsed PwC's approach, including the criteria for selecting which stakeholders to engage with and how
• ensured engagement and that overall progress was on track
• considered emerging themes from engagements to ensure these converted to meaningful recommendations.