Guidance

Apply for Department for Education (DfE) personal data

How to apply for access to personal data from DfE and its executive agencies.

Applies to England

Background

DfEcan share personal data with external organisations through certain channels.

Where we can share data underthe Digital Economy Act 2017 (DEA), we will do so through the:

DfEwill only share personal data under theDEAɳONSǰ UKDS has already de-identified it, for individuals and body corporates.ONSԻ UKDS are the service providers andDEA-accredited processors for disclosure.

Where we cannot share data undertheDEA, theDfE岹ٲ sharing service will manage project approval underDfE𲵾پDz.DfE’s default route for this is theONSSecure Research Service.

DfEmay allow personal data to be shared with some organisations via a direct supply of data to that organisation.

Apply for access to linkedDfEԻ Ministry of Justice data

վMinistry of Justice (MoJ) data firstfor access to the linkedMoJԻDfE岹ٲ.

You will need to complete theMoJapplication form.

Apply to theOffice for National Statistics (ONS) for access toDfEpersonal data

You can find out which datasets you can apply directly totheONSfor in (PDF, 279 KB, 9 pages).

Apply to the UK Data Service for access to DfE岹ٲ

You can find out which datasets you can apply directly to the UK Data Service for in (PDF, 279 KB, 9 pages).

Apply to theDfE岹ٲ sharing service

You can apply for access to anyDfEpersonal data that:

  • you cannot currently get access to through ONSǰ UKDS
  • do not include the data variables you need within the datasets available from theONSǰ the UKDS
  • you would like to match or link to your dataset

By default, allDfEpersonal data shared underDfElegislation will be made available via theONSSecure Research Service.

Where theONSSecure Research Service is not suitable and you provide evidence to support this, we will consider the following exemptions on its use for sharing data:

  • data is being processed to fulfil an essential public task, such as the running of education or children’s services
  • you are doing research funded or commissioned byDfEԻ its executive agencies or other government departments
  • you are doing research that is sponsored or supported byDfEԻ its executive agencies as it adds significant value to the evidence base supporting education or children’s services

You can find out which datasets you can apply toDfEData Sharing service for in (PDF, 279 KB, 9 pages). If you are still unsure, contactdata.sharing@education.gov.uk.

Application process

To apply, you need to:

  • complete the(MS Word Document,197 KB)using the accompanying(PDF,474 KB,41 pages)
  • submit your data requirements on the relevantdata tables

You may also find the digitalhelpful when working out which data items you need from the national pupil database (NPD).

If you are aDfEcontractor who wants to apply for personal data for aDfE-commissioned research project, contact your contract manager or research project lead to discuss how to complete theDfEcommissioned research application form.

The data sharing service is here to help you:

  • progress your application through the data sharing service
  • access the right data for your project
  • document the data share through a signed data sharing agreement, memorandum of understanding, or commercial contract – contactdata.sharing@education.gov.ukfor a copy of our standard terms and conditions

Data tables

Use these data tables to provide your data requirements:

  • (MS Excel Spreadsheet,67.4 KB)
  • (MS Excel Spreadsheet,259 KB)
  • (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 1.24 MB)
  • (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 314 KB)

All completed applications must be submitted todata.sharing@education.gov.uk.

Applying for ONS Researcher Accreditation

Anyone who needs to accessDfEpersonal data via theONSSecure Research Service or Integrated Data Service must apply for . We recommend you begin this process as soon as possible and take steps to become accredited byONSin parallel to your application.

DzԳٲsrs.customer.support@ons.gov.ukǰIDS.customer.support@ons.gov.ukif you have any questions.

Applying for outputs from the ONS

Before gaining access to your project outputs fromONS, your data must meetDfEԻONS (PDF, 449 KB, 18 pages) rules for accessing outputs.

Further information on direct access toDfEpersonal data

Before applying forDfEpersonal data, you must:

  • satisfy one of the 3 exemptions
  • submit the(MS Word Document,85 KB)with all completed applications
  • provide evidence of appropriate background checks on staff handlingDfEpersonal data
  • provide evidence of any data sharing agreements with other organisations involved in the data share
  • submit a completed application form

Submitting your research outputs toDfE

Email the URL (or other location) of your research outputs to data.sharing@education.gov.ukso that we can share your findings with the relevant DfE policy colleagues.

Updates to this page

Published 7 January 2022
Last updated 30 June 2025 show all updates
  1. Added new details about applying for ONS researcher accreditation. Updated national pupil database and school workforce data tables. Updated ‘How to apply for DfE datasets’. Updated ONS statistical disclosure control document.

  2. Updated the higher education, individualised learner record and national pupil database data tables.

  3. Updated the national pupil database data tables.

  4. Updated our routes for sharing personal data for research purposes to include Integrated Data Service (IDS). Updated HESA information tables and NPD data tables. Added 'How to apply for DfE datasets'.

  5. Updated the higher education, individualised learner record, national pupil database and school workforce data tables.

  6. Updated the DfE sharing service application form and application form guidance, DfE ONS statistical disclosure control policy and the NPD data tables.

  7. Updated to include information about data sharing under the Digital Economy Act 2017. You can now access some DfE personal data through the ONS Research Accreditation Scheme – updated the page to reflect this. Updated the data table for the national pupil database.

  8. Updated the DfE data sharing service application form and guidance, and the individualised learner record, national pupil database and school workforce data tables. Updated the ‘Apply directly to ONS for other key datasets’ section with information about the further education workforce and pupil parent matched dataset.

  9. Updated the DfE data sharing service application form and guidance, higher education data tables, individualised learner record data tables, National Pupil Database data tables and the information security questionnaire. Added the statistical disclosure control document. Added a link to the childcare and early years survey of parents.

  10. Uploaded new versions of the Individualised Learner Record data tables, the National Pupil Database data tables, the DfE data sharing service application form guidance and the application form.

  11. Uploaded new versions of the national pupil database and higher education data tables, the application form and the guidance. Added a new link to Growing Up in England (GUiE) and an update on which DfE data assets will soon be available directly from ONS.

  12. Uploaded new versions of the National Pupil Database data tables, Higher Education Statistics Agency data tables, and the application form and guidance.

  13. Uploaded new versions of the National Pupil Database data tables, School Workforce data tables, Individualised Learner Record data tables and the Higher Education Statistics Agency data tables and made minor updates to the application form, guidance and information security questionnaire.

  14. Updated the application form and guidance to apply for access to DfE personal data through the ONS SRS. Also updated the National Pupil Database data table.

  15. First published.

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