Scottish Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) – University extract (coming soon)
The Scottish Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) – University extract is a linked administrative dataset created through collaboration between the Scottish Government, the Department for Education (DfE), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). It brings together de-identified information on students who have attended Scottish Higher Education Institutions by linking their education records to data on employment, earnings and benefit receipt.
This dataset is expected to be made available soon, and this page will be updated to reflect this.
The dataset offers a rich longitudinal picture of graduate pathways, enabling analysis of outcomes across study, work and early careers for UK‑domiciled students who studied in Scotland. It helps identify which groups thrive, where inequalities remain and how opportunities vary across Scotland—offering valuable insights for priority agendas such as Getting it Right For Every Child, The Promise and the Scottish Attainment Challenge.
By combining detailed Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student data with administrative tax and benefits information, the Scottish LEO dataset can offer transformative insights into employment trajectories, widening access, earnings patterns, industry sectors of employment and the prevalence of benefit receipt.
Related datasets
The structure of this dataset mirrors the well‑established LEO model used in England. This means it supports similarly robust, population‑level research analysis that can inform future policy improvements that support labour, education and skills development.
Component datasets and linkage
The Scottish LEO University extract is constructed from HESA student data, securely linked to HMRC Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and Self‑Assessment earnings records, DWP benefits and labour‑market data, and industry codes from the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR). Linkage is performed by DWP using the Customer Information System as the population spine. Only pseudonymised records are returned to the Scottish Government. This dataset is a self-contained and pre-linked, it cannot be linked to other external sources.
| Timeframe | Education data covers 2003-2020 Tax and benefits data covers 2005-2022 |
|---|---|
| Update Frequency | Annually |
| Population | See Data Dictionary for details |
| Coverage | Scotland |
| Size | 2,801,925 records currently |
Examples of research questions
- How do earnings and employment outcomes vary across Scottish Higher Education Institutes, subjects and qualification levels?
- How do graduate outcomes differ by background characteristics, including deprivation, disability and care experience?
- Which industries do graduates enter, and how well do subject choices align with Scotland’s labour‑market needs?
- How do mobility patterns within Scotland or across the UK affect long‑term employment and earnings?
- How do outcomes differ for care experienced students and how might these findings support ambitions under key policies such as The Promise in Scotland?
- How likely are graduates to receive labour market related benefits in the years following graduation, and how does this vary across groups?
This list is illustrative only and intended to demonstrate the research potential of the dataset. Please see the User Guide for further information.
Core documentation
User Guide
The user guide for this dataset will be available soon on the ONS Metadata Catalogue.
For more information, contact the Scottish Government, Education Analytical Services, Advanced Learning and Skills Analysis Statistics team: FHEstatistics@gov.scot.
Data Dictionary
The data dictionary for this dataset is available on the ONS Metadata Catalogue.
For more information, contact the Scottish Government, Education Analytical Services, Advanced Learning and Skills Analysis Statistics team: FHEstatistics@gov.scot.
Other supporting resources
| Resource | Description |
ONS Guidance and FAQs | Guidance and frequently asked questions on how to access the LEO dataset is available from ONS Secure Research Service. |
Scottish LEO Methodology (forthcoming) | The Scottish Government will publish methodology in summer 2026. Early access is available via request to FHEstatistics@gov.scot |
Related National LEO Documents (UK/ England) | There are several UK and England support documents that can provide context for this dataset:
|
ADR UK Blog- Getting started with LEO: studying the post-16 activities of young people | This ADR UK blog provides analytical approaches and methodological considerations used by researchers in England that may be a practical starting point for those using this Scottish flagship dataset. |
LEO Research Community | Coordinated by DfE, this research community provides access to LEO-related resources, published research, learning sessions and collaboration communities. |
Published research using the data
Research project
Accessing the data
Accreditation
Researchers will need to be UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) accredited under the Digital Economy Act 2017, or an approved researcher through the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007. Please visit the ONS supporting webpage for guidance on training and how to apply for accreditation.
Applications and Approvals
Applications to access this dataset should go through the ONS Secure Research Service (SRS), via the ONS Research Accreditation Service. ONS acts as the front-door for all LEO-related applications, coordinating the required checks and facilitating review by the Scottish Government and other data owners. Once an application has been submitted, it progresses through the following three-stage approvals process:
- Stage 1: ONS feasibility and standard checks:
ONS reviews the application to ensure it is complete, feasible and meets the accreditation standards required for access. This includes an ethics assessment by the Centre for Applied Data Ethics. - Stage 2: Data owner review (SG, HMRC, DWP):
Scottish Government reviews your proposal and secures approval from HMRC and DWP to confirm appropriate use. - Stage 3: Research Accreditation Panel (RAP):
The RAP evaluates your research aims and formally approves or rejects the application.
Output clearance and acknowledgements
All outputs must be checked through ONS SRS and will also be shared with Scottish Government. Researchers may be contacted if clarification is needed.
Support and contact information
- For support with access or accreditation, please refer to the ONS guidance on becoming an accredited researcher.
- For general support on using this dataset, methodology or to discuss the Scottish Government review stage of the approval process, please contact: FHEstatistics@gov.scot.
Find out more
For more information about the dataset, contact the Scottish Government, Education Analytical Services, Advanced Learning and Skills Analysis Statistics team: FHEstatistics@gov.scot.
