We are asking universities to select a sample of students, using instructions provided by NatCen and to send out letters inviting students to take part in the survey.
As a first step we are asking universities to provide some information about their student population. We will use this information to work out how many students at each university should be invited to take part in the survey. We will then provide instructions on how to select students for the survey.
NatCen will provide the universities with letters in sealed envelopes to forward to the students who have been selected.

A sample of universities in England has been selected at random. We have tried to ensure that the sample of universities has a geographical spread and includes universities who are likely to have higher numbers of Muslim students and those who are likely to have lower numbers of Muslim students.

We are aiming to include a representative sample of Muslim students in the survey. UK students from different ethnic groups and overseas students from different countries will be sent letters about the survey. We are using information on ethnic group and country of domicile to select students as universities do not consistently hold data on the religious affiliation of students. This means that some students contacted about the survey will not be Muslim, but the letter will explain why they have been contacted and that they do not need to do anything.

For the comparative survey of students from all backgrounds, we will ask universities to select a number of UK and overseas students from all ethnic groups and countries of domicile.

Yes. The information gathered will be used for statistical purposes only. BIS and NatCen take compliance with the Data Protection Act very seriously. In line with the Act, all information received from your institution and from your students will be treated as confidential, and anonymity will be preserved at all times. Neither BIS nor NatCen will have access to any identifying personal information. In reporting of findings, no institution’s name will be linked to the data. NatCen has strict procedures in place to remove any variables that could potentially identify respondents.

NatCen will not know the identities of the students who are contacted about the study. The universities will not know who has taken part in the study.

The survey covers a range of topics, including: experience of university life, finances, future aspirations, mixing on campus, religion, experience of discrimination, views on government policies, views on extremism and political issues.

Yes, a summary of the results of the study will be made available on this website towards the end of this year.