Introduction to Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data

This online training course will provide new users with insight into the content of Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data and how it can be used to address a range of research questions.

The UCL Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities (CEPEO) is offering this training opportunity in partnership with ADR UK and the Department for Education (DfE). The course will be delivered by expert users of LEO data and will provide practical insight into the datasets included in LEO, how they can be used in research, and how to make the most of the data.

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This event comprises three online sessions. Participants are asked to attend both Sessions 1 and 2 wherever possible.

Session 1: 09:30–12:30, Monday 5 October 2026

This session will provide a high-level overview of the key education datasets included in LEO, including:

school records from the National Pupil Database (NPD)
further education records from the Individual Learner Records (ILR)
university applications records from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
higher education records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Session 2: 09:30–11:30, Tuesday 6 October 2026

This session will provide a detailed overview of the employment, earnings and benefits data from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), as well as the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR), which provides information about the businesses in which individuals are employed.

Across both sessions, you will hear expert advice from experienced users of the data, learn about research exploiting different features of LEO, and have opportunities to ask questions and discuss how the data could be used to address your own research questions.

Session 3: 10:00–11:00, Friday 9 October 2026

This optional session will provide participants with the opportunity to book short one-to-one appointments to discuss more detailed questions relating to their own research questions or data applications.

More detailed itinerary information will be provided to registered participants.

Who should attend?

This course will be particularly useful to researchers and policymakers who are interested in using LEO data for education, employment and related research.

No specific technical knowledge is required, although participants should have an interest in using administrative data to answer research questions.

Event details

When: 5-9 October

Where: Online

Cost: Free

Registration: Register via Eventbrite.