A closer look at RCU
RCU provides specialist data intelligence, research and consultancy services for the education and skills sector in England. The company works in partnership with a wide range of organisations across the sector to provide greater insight into the value of post-16 education and skills.
About us
Supporting the Education, Training and Skills Sector for 30 years
A unique company owned and managed by its staff.
All staff are shareholders, attend board meetings and participate in business planning. Between us we have a wide range of different skills, including web design, statistics, research, economics, FE management, marketing and data analysis. However, we believe our strength lies in our teamwork and our ability to bring these different skills together to solve the problems of our customers.
Meet the teamOur history
RCU has been providing and developing research and consultancy for the education and training sector since 1987 and has established a national reputation for data analysis and the development of strategic recommendations.
RCU was set up in its current format by a consortium of colleges in 1993, at the time of FE incorporation, in order to provide a specialist research facility for the sector. The client base quickly spread both geographically and in terms of client type.
In 2001 RCU was set up as a free-standing company owned by its staff. In 2014 the company moved to its current location at Preston Riversway.
RCU proudly support the AoC Beacon Awards as sponsors of the prestigious Support for Students category. Through this award we want to recognise, celebrate and promote the very best examples of student support provided by colleges.
Our values
Our mission is to develop and deliver practical and relevant research solutions for clients through innovation, professionalism and market expertise. We strive to be seen by the sector as the market leader in innovative data analysis and pragmatic and effective research.
We will constantly refresh our approaches and scan the outside world for better ways to deliver value to our clients. Professionalism will guide every stage in our processes, and we will benchmark ourselves against best practice in our industry.
- Our products and services should help our clients to improve what they do through increasing efficiency, effectiveness or reputation
- Our recommendations will be relevant and based on a sound understanding of our clients
- Our research methodologies will be flexible enough to adapt to the needs of each client
Quality statement
As a Company Partner of the Market Research Society and accredited to the prestigious international research industry standard ISO 20252, we apply the latest techniques of research and analysis to our work and adhere to strict codes of professional ethics. Key staff are Accredited researchers by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). If you would like to view a copy of our ISO 202052 statement of applicability click here.
News and Insights
Welcoming The First Benchmarking Cycle Of The 2024/25 Academic Year
5th December 2024 by Ummehabiba Suleman
News & Events
2023/24 Year- End MiDES Reports Now Available
22nd November 2024 by Ummehabiba Suleman
News & Events
Celebrating the Finalists for the RCU Support for Students Award 2024
20th November 2024 by Chris Lee