Annual Institutional Review Report 2020/21 - Student numbers, achievement, and progression

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Bulrr

Annual Institutional Review Report 2020/21 reviews Pearson’s licensed Higher National delivery by approved HEI partners across England and Wales. It shares successes and challenges, supported by external examiner feedback on continuing quality improvements and student support. The report compares 2019/20 and 2020/21 outcomes, covering registrations, completions and achievement, progression, sector areas, and current trends. COVID-19 is identified as a key factor affecting activity and results, alongside adaptations to assessment and application flexibilities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Executive Summary: Key data at a glance

Licensed Higher Nationals 2020/21: Key data at a glance

Licensed HN Registrations

Sector area, good practice, quality assurance & enhancements

Current trends, future plans and local initiatives

Conclusion

Useful dates

Annual Institutional Review Report 2020/21 Pearson Higher Education Qualifications Licensed Higher Nationals Introduction Licensed Higher Nationals have been offered by Pearson since 2008 and despite the impact of Covid, we have seen an increased interest from our Higher Education Institution (HEI) partners to offer Higher Nationals under licence. This Institutional Review Report (IRR) demonstrates both the successes and challenges faced by our HEI partners in delivering the licensed Higher National (HN) programmes. The accompanying External Examiner (EE) reports give a clear indication of continuing quality improvements and student support to enable a clearer understanding of the student journey and how HEIs are meeting student needs. There are currently 36 universities based in England and Wales approved to offer HNs under licence. The IRR was sent to all 36 universities and 29 HEIs submitted their IRR response* . The other seven had no active provision for the academic year 2020/21 . Introduction Executive Summary Key data at a glance Registrations Completions and Achievement Progression Sector Area Good Practice, Quality Assurance & Enhancements Current Trends, Future Plans and Local Initiatives Conclusion Useful Dates * No identifiable information is included in this report Prepared by Licensed HN Partnerships Manager Authorised by Deputy Director HEQ Version 1 June 2022 DCL1 | | Annual Institutional Review Report 2020/21 | 3 | | --- | --- | --- | Executive Summary The annual IRR report allows us to share an overview of all the licensed Higher National partners, with the most significant data relating to student numbers, achievement, and progression. The analysis of data in each section below shows a comparison between 2019/20 and 2020/21 and between students undertaking Higher Nationals (HNs) on campus versus doing so with a collaborative partner. The data included in this report is based on only what was reported in 2019/20 and 2020/21 . Not all areas are fully reported by all universities, so it is difficult to draw year on year comparisons. Some IRRs were submitted after the IRR report was published but that data for 2019/20 has now been included to show precise comparisons. It should be mentioned that one of the factors that may have impacted on the data in these two years remains to be COVID-19 . However, the positive change in some areas gives us confidence and shows the commitment and dedication of our HEI centres towards licensed Higher Nationals, as demonstrated by the below comment from an External Examiner: “This year I have witnessed an incredible stepping up of staff team in terms of student support and regarding the quality of materials offered to students in terms of T & L. Students genuinely believe they have benefitted from the changes prompted by covid, and I have witnessed a year-on-year improvement in student outcomes.” The infographics on the next page show some key highlights of the data, but full analysis can be seen in individual sections throughout the report. Prepared by Licensed HN Partnerships Manager Authorised by Deputy Director HEQ Version 1 June 2022 DCL1 | | Annual Institutional Review Report 2020/21 | 4 | | --- | --- | --- | Licensed Higher Nationals 2020/21: Key data at a glance Licensed completionsand achievement Overall completions declined by 19% but HND completions at campus increased by 264% and HND at partner by 5% . Overall grade achievements for licensed HN remain varied between campus and partner sites. 0 500 1000 Licensed Registrations HND registrations both at campus and partner improved; at campus by 120% and at partner by 29% 2019 / 20 | 2020 / 21 1500 Subject areas Subjects with practical modules declined mainly due to Covid-19 Licensed HN progression Although overall progression declined by 16% the HNC to HND at campus improved by 111% | | | --- | | | Prepared by Lice

FAQs

How many HEIs responded to the 2020/21 Institutional Review Report (IRR)?

The IRR was sent to 36 universities, and 29 HEIs submitted an IRR response. The remaining seven had no active provision for the 2020/21 academic year.

What overall changes occurred in completions and achievement during 2020/21?

Overall completions declined by 19%, while HND completions at campus increased by 264% and HND at partner increased by 5%. Grade achievements varied between campus and partner sites.

What effects did COVID-19 have on registrations and assessment?

COVID-19 significantly affected students attending campus-based programmes and partner institutions, influencing registrations and achievements in the first year of the pandemic. Application flexibilities and adaptations to assessment improved both registrations and achievement in 2020/21.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Bulrr