Official Statistics

Pre-release access

Published 26 March 2026

Applies to England, Northern Ireland and Wales

The phrase ‘Pre-release access’ refers to the practice whereby official statistics in their final form, and any accompanying written commentary, are made available to an eligible person in advance of their publication. The rules and principles which govern pre-release access are featured within the Pre-release Access to Official Statistics Order 2008.

Early-in-year student withdrawal notifications (effective 21/02/2026): academic year 2018/19 to 2025/26

The following persons are given pre-release access to the publications for up to 24 hours prior to release:

Student Loans Company Chief Executive Officer
  Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Executive Director, Corporate Services
  Head of Corporate Affairs
  Media Relations Manager
  Corporate Communications - External (x2)
  Lead Official for Statistics / Senior Business Intelligence Manager
  Business Intelligence Manager
  Business Intelligence Analyst x 2
Department for Education (DfE) Deputy Director, Higher Education Analysis
  Head of Higher Education Student Finance Modelling Unit
  Deputy Director, Student Finance Policy
  Lead SLC Data and Student Numbers Modelling
  SLC Data Analyst
  Senior Executive Officer Analyst, Student Entrants and SLC Data Team
  HE Press Office Lead
  HE Senior Press Office
  HE Press Officer
Scottish Government / SAAS SAAS Director for Policy, Strategy & Governance
  Head of Stakeholder Relations
  SAAS Senior Assistant Statistician
Department for the Economy - Northern Ireland Head of Student Support Branch
Welsh Government Head of Tertiary Statistics and Funding