Informing strategy with data insight

Welcome to RCU. We are leaders in innovative data analysis and research for the post-16 education sector.

Unrivalled understanding of post-16 education and skills data

We offer a range of products and services, providing robust and flexible market intelligence to help education and skills leaders make informed strategic decisions.

How can Vector help?

Vector is a highly visual and easy to use market insight tool that offers a complete picture of post-16 learning and skills demand to inform curriculum and recruitment.

Find out how Vector can help you
“Insights from RCU have helped us develop a curriculum based around demand and the needs of future students.”
“Thanks to RCU we have been able to identify specific opportunities for growth and can plan our marketing communications more effectively, maximising our ROI.”

Michael Bennett
Head of Student Recruitment
London Metropolitan University

Simon Kirby
Director of Marketing and Communications,
Nottingham College

Consultancy

If you require something tailored to your individual needs please get in touch. We offer bespoke data analysis, research and consultancy solutions to help you make the right strategic decisions.

Learn more about Consultancy
The survey findings will help us focus our attention on the most important areas first.

Mel Chadwick
Vice Principal
Winstanley College

Research

Working with a wide range of influential organisations we are well respected and trusted for delivering high quality and unrivalled insight into the post-16 education and skills sector.

Learn more about Research

MiDES

MiDES is a shared service developed by RCU for the Association of Colleges (AoC). We provide a suite of unique in-year benchmarked data reports for AoC member colleges.

Learn more about MiDES

News and Insights

News & Events

Applications open for 2025/26 RCU Support for Students- Supporting the AoC Beacons Award

9th July 2025 by Ummehabiba Suleman

Find out more

News & Events

MiDES Data Updates Now Available!

3rd July 2025 by Ummehabiba Suleman

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News & Events

MiDES R10 ILR- Final day to upload your data

12th June 2025 by Ummehabiba Suleman

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Who we work with

Priestley College
Bishop Burton College
The Sheffield College
Barnsley College
Nottingham College
City of Bristol College
Capital City College Group
Preston’s College
Association of Colleges (AOC)
Leeds City College
Grantham College
Trafford College Group
Kidderminster College
London South Bank University
GTA England
East Sussex College Group
Blackpool Sixth Form
Gatsby Foundation
Derwen College
RNN Group
Central Bedfordshire College
Blackpool and Fylde College
Activate Learning
Sunderland College
Wirral Metropolitan College
The Manchester College
Carlisle College
East Coast College
HCUC
Barnet Southgate College
Blackburn College
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