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User Guides

Our user guides provide practical information about Understanding Society data, including study design, data collection, variable guidance and advice on using the data for research.

Main Survey User Guide

Waves 1–15

The User Guide contains information about the Study, such as sample and questionnaire design, data collection and data processing, and information about using the dataset for research. The User Guide has links to training videos and webinars to help you make the best use of these data.

Online guide Download guide

Institute for Social and Economic Research (2024), Understanding Society: Waves 1-15, 2009-2024 and Harmonised BHPS: Waves 1-18, 1991-2009, User Guide, 23 February 2026, Colchester: University of Essex

Linked Education Administrative Datasets (National Pupil Database), England

1995- 2018: Secure Access

This guide covers education records collected in England as part of the National Pupil Database, abbreviated to NPD.

Download guide

Department for Education, Institute for Social and Economic Research (2020), Understanding Society: Linked Education Datasets (National Pupil Database), England, 1995-2018, User Guide, Version 1.0, November 2020, Colchester: University of Essex.

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