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Guidance

ILR standard file specifications and reference data

These documents specify how and when learner data collected is presented for analysis.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Education and Education and Skills Funding Agency
Published:
2 June 2016
Last updated:
14 August 2025
Show all updates

  1. Added 'ILR freeze schedule 2025 to 2026'.

  2. Added 'ILR dataset 2024 to 2025'.

  3. Added 'ILR freeze schedule 2024 to 2025'.

  4. Added 'ILR dataset 2023 to 2024'.

  5. We have published the ILR freeze schedule 2023 to 2024.

  6. We have published the second version of the ILR dataset 2021 to 2022.

  7. We have published the ILR dataset 2022 to 2023.

  8. We have published the ILR freeze schedule 2022 to 2023.

  9. We have published the ILR dataset 2021 to 2022.

  10. We have published the ILR freeze schedule 2020 to 2021.

  11. We have published the ILR dataset for 2020 to 2021.

  12. We have published the ILR freeze schedule for 2020 to 2021.

  13. We have published final version of the ILR Dataset for 2018 to 2019.

  14. We have published the ILR dataset 2019 to 2020.

  15. We have published the ILR freeze schedule for 2019 to 2020.

  16. We've published the ILR dataset for 2018 to 2019 and updated the ILR dataset for 2017 to 2018.

  17. ILR freeze schedule 2018 to 2019 uploaded

  18. ILR dataset 2017 to 2018 uploaded on 13 December 2017.

  19. ILR freeze schedule 2017 to 2018 uploaded on 11 August 2017.

  20. New file titled ILR dataset 2016 to 2017 and revised version of What is the ILR standard file specification uploaded on 12 January 2017.

  21. New version of ILR freeze schedule 2016 to 2017 uploaded on 30 August 2016.

  22. ILR freeze schedule 2016 to 2017 uploaded on 17 August 2016.

  23. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

ILR dataset 2024 to 2025

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 1.02 MB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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ILR dataset 2023 to 2024

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 1.07 MB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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ILR dataset 2022 to 2023

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 1.06 MB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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ILR dataset 2021 to 2022

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 1.04 MB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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ILR dataset 2020 to 2021

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 1.03 MB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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ILR dataset 2019 to 2020

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 1.08 MB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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ILR dataset 2018 to 2019

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 1.15 MB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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ILR dataset 2017 to 2018

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 757 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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ILR dataset 2016 to 2017

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 720 KB

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ILR dataset 2015 to 2016

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 949 KB

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ILR dataset 2014 to 2015

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 780 KB

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What is the ILR standard file specification

PDF, 185 KB, 5 pages

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ILR freeze schedule 2025 to 2026

PDF, 240 KB, 5 pages

ILR freeze schedule 2024 to 2025

PDF, 134 KB, 5 pages

ILR freeze schedule 2023 to 2024

PDF, 193 KB, 5 pages

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ILR freeze schedule 2022 to 2023

PDF, 193 KB, 5 pages

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SFA terms and conditions

PDF, 138 KB, 9 pages

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Details

The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) closed on 31 March 2025. All activity has moved to the Department for Education (DfE). You should continue to follow this guidance.

These documents concern the Individualised Learner Record (ILR) standard files and associated reference data.

They specify how and when the learner data collected is presented for analysis. We send them to external organisations for their own analysis to ensure that the files being analysed are fit for purpose and that any ambiguity is avoided.

The ILR standard file specification datasets show how the data from the ILR collections is formatted for further analysis. This also includes derived variables (DVs) which help produce clearer and consistent data

The freeze schedule details the frequency of the ILR returns, when they are available and the purposes for which they are collected.

The ILR Dataset 2024 to 2025 is not accessible because there are tables with complex structures and colour is used to convey information. This means it does not meet WCAG success criteria:

  • 1.3.2: meaningful sequence
  • 1.3.3: sensory characteristics

We are currently working on an accessible version, which should be available by May 2026.

Data Sharing

The SFA terms and conditions are designed to put in place a framework for the sharing of personal data by external users with due attention to all relevant legislation.

How to use these documents

You can download any of these documents and save them to use as a local copy. We may periodically update these documents to reflect data specification changes or amendments to derivations.

How to get further information

If you would like any help with these documents or have any suggestions to help improve these documents, please contact us using the Customer Help Portal.

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