Apply for Department for Education (DfE) personal data
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-09)

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

Background

DfE can share personal data with external organisations through certain channels.

Where we can share data under the Digital Economy Act 2017 (DEA), we will do so through the:
- Office for National Statistics Secure Research Service (ONS SRS) (https://ons.metadata.works/browser/landing)
- UK Data Service (UKDS) (https://ukdataservice.ac.uk/)
DfE will only share personal data under the DEA when ONS or UKDS has already de-identified it, for individuals and body corporates. ONS and UKDS are the service providers and DEA-accredited processors for disclosure.

Where we cannot share data under the DEA, the DfE data sharing service will manage project approval under DfE legislation. DfE’s default route for this is the ONS Secure Research Service.

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

How DfE shares personal data (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/data-protection-how-we-collect-and-share-research-data) has more information on data sharing.

DfE external data shares (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfe-external-data-shares) has previously approved shares.

Apply for access to linked DfE and Ministry of Justice data

Visit Ministry of Justice (MoJ) data first (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ministry-of-justice-data-first) for access to the linked MoJ and DfE dataset.

You will need to complete the MoJ application form (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/moj-data-first-application-form-for-secure-access-to-data).

Apply to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for access to DfE personal data

You can find out which datasets you can apply directly to the ONS for in How to apply for DfE datasets (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6936b7657b258b4b52574356/How_to_apply_for_key_DfE_datasets.pdf) (PDF, 279 KB, 9 pages).

Apply to the UK Data Service for access to DfE data

You can find out which datasets you can apply directly to the UK Data Service for in How to apply for DfE datasets (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6936b7657b258b4b52574356/How_to_apply_for_key_DfE_datasets.pdf) (PDF, 279 KB, 9 pages).

Apply to the DfE data sharing service

You can apply for access to any DfE personal data that:
- you cannot currently get access to through ONS or UKDS
- do not include the data variables you need within the datasets available from the ONS or the UKDS
- you would like to match or link to your dataset
By default, all DfE personal data shared under DfE legislation will be made available via the ONS Secure Research Service.

Where the ONS Secure 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 by DfE and its executive agencies or other government departments
- you are doing research that is sponsored or supported by DfE and 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 to DfE Data Sharing service for in How to apply for DfE datasets (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6936b7657b258b4b52574356/How_to_apply_for_key_DfE_datasets.pdf) (PDF, 279 KB, 9 pages). If you are still unsure, contact xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Application process

To apply, you need to:
- complete the application form (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68778092760bf6cedaf5bcd7/DfE_data_sharing_service_application_form_July_2025.docx) (MS Word Document, 473 KB) using the accompanying DfE data sharing service application form guidance (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6878bc5d0263c35f52e4dd11/DfE_data_sharing_service_application_form_guidance_v2.0_July_2025.pdf) (PDF, 311 KB, 40 pages)
- submit your data requirements on the relevant data tables (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-department-for-education-dfe-personal-data#data-tables)
You may also find the digital find and explore NPD tool (https://find-npd-data.education.gov.uk/) helpful when working out which data items you need from the national pupil database (NPD).

If you are a DfE contractor who wants to apply for personal data for a DfE-commissioned research project, contact your contract manager or research project lead to discuss how to complete the DfE commissioned 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 – contact xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) for a copy of our standard terms and conditions
Data tables

Use these data tables to provide your data requirements:
- higher education (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67bf1fd768a61757838d1fbf/HESA_Information_tables_March_2025.xlsx) (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 67.4 KB)
- individualised learner record (ILR) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67bf1f5f16dc9038974dbba4/ILR_data_tables_March_2025.xlsx) (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 259 KB)
- national pupil database (NPD) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6936badc70840a535475d40e/NPD_Data_Tables_Dec25.xlsx) (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 1.25 MB)
- school workforce census (SWC) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6853e0b7a3a28280485814e0/School_workforce_census_data_tables_June_2025.xlsx) (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 314 KB)
All completed applications must be submitted to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Applying for ONS Researcher Accreditation

Anyone who needs to access DfE personal data via the ONS Secure Research Service must apply for researcher accreditation (https://integrateddataservice.gov.uk/apply-for-researcher-accreditation#overview). We recommend you begin this process as soon as possible and take steps to become accredited by ONS in parallel to your application.

Contact xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) if you have any questions.

Applying for outputs from the ONS

Before gaining access to your project outputs from ONS, your data must meet DfE and ONS statistical disclosure control (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68629815354985706f111b06/Statistical_disclosure_control_policy_for_DfE_data.pdf) (PDF, 449 KB, 18 pages) rules for accessing outputs.

Further information on direct access to DfE personal data

Before applying for DfE personal data, you must:
- satisfy one of the 3 exemptions (#exemptions)
- submit the information security questionnaire (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6495b4569e7a8b000c932adb/Information_security_questionnaire_V1.2_June_2023.docx) (MS Word Document, 85 KB) with all completed applications
- provide evidence of appropriate background checks on staff handling DfE personal 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 to DfE

Email the URL (or other location) of your research outputs to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) so that we can share your findings with the relevant DfE policy colleagues.