As a College, we are working in partnership with the Office for National Statistics to ensure that all our students are included in Census 2021. Whether you are in halls, living in a shared house, living with your parents or guardians, or are an international student – all students are an important part of the census and must be included.
What is the census?
The census is an important national survey that takes place every ten years and gives us a picture of all the people and households in England and Wales. The census is unique. There’s simply nothing else that gives so much detail about us and the society we live in.
All kinds of organisations, from local authorities to charities, use the information to help provide the services we all need, including transport, education and healthcare. Without the census, it would be much more difficult to do this.
Census Day is Sunday 21 March, but you can fill in yours in now. For more information on how to complete click here.
If you have not received your code, you can request a new one online if you have lost or cannot access your code. Your code will be sent via SMS.
Why is it important for you, as a student, to fill in the census?
By taking part, you’ll be helping make sure you and your student community get the services needed now and in the future. The information you give informs decisions that affect student life, such as university campus bus links and bike lanes, jobs and training.
Therefore, it is key that you complete the form for your university address.
The last census was 2011, so this might be your first time completing the census yourself. Don’t worry – it only takes ten minutes per person and you will complete online.
Students living at home or elsewhere due to the pandemic
You may not be staying at your university address due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. You should still complete the census for your university address as well as being included on the census for your current household address.
You can request a new access code for your university address, which can be sent to you by text.
Students permanently living at home with no university address
You need be included on the household questionnaire for your home address if you live there permanently while at university.
If you need to answer separately from the people you live with, you can complete your own census.
Students living in a shared house or flat
It’s your joint responsibility to complete the census for your household, not your landlord’s.
One person will need to take responsibility for answering the questions about the household accommodation and the people who live there. You can then share the household access code so that each person can complete their own individual questions.
If you need to answer separately from the people you live with, you can complete your own census.
Students living in halls of residence
A letter will be sent to you at your halls of residence with an individual access code for you to complete your census.
If you’re not currently staying there, you should still complete the census for your halls of residence address. You can request a new access code for your university address, which can be sent to you by text.
International students
You should complete the census for your university address in England or Wales if you are:
- not currently staying there, but attended university during the 2020/21 academic year, and still have a formal agreement to stay at your term-time accommodation
- staying in the UK now and have stayed here, or intend to stay, for at least three months
If you’re not currently staying there, you should still complete the census for your university address. You can request a new access code for your university address, which can be sent to you by text.
Visit the website for support
We want to make it as easy as possible for you to take part. For more information on the census, or if you need help, go to www.census.gov.uk/students. There are a wide range of services available, including translations and accessible guidance.