An example of the Census 2021 postcard.
Census 2021
Census 2021
Sunday 21 March 2021 is the UK’s Census Day. If you live in England and Wales you’re required by law to fill it in. It’s important to do so because the information you provide informs funding decisions on things like university campus bus links and bike lanes, jobs and training and local infrastructure projects.
If you are a student, you should complete the census for your University address even if you're not currently living there because of COVID-19; this will make sure our University community gets the services it needs now and in the future.
If you are an international student or member of staff you should fill out the Census if you have been in the UK for the three months prior to the Census (21 March) and/or intend to remain in the UK for at least three months afterwards.
The information you give in the Census is confidential and is overseen by the Office for National Statistics. They only reveal generalised data about the results. The full details of the Census are only made public after 100 years (so the 1921 Census information will be released in January 2022).
Unsure what the census is and how it affects you? Please read the Frequently Asked Questions below. For more information, you can find the census 2021 student webpages here.
Be scam aware: Remember, some criminals may pretend to be from the Census to extract money or information. You are not required to pay to take part in the Census, nor will you be asked to disclose ANY financial details. If in doubt, go to the official Census site https://census.gov.uk/.
Census FAQs
The Census is a survey that happens every 10 years and gives the government a picture of all the people and households in England and Wales. 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 yours in as soon as you get your access code in the post. Your answers should be about the people who usually live in your household on this date – even if you’re filling it in before then. If you need help, visit www.census.gov.uk.
If you live in England and Wales, you must take part in the Census - it’s a legal requirement. Census information helps inform how billions of pounds of public funding is spent. By taking around 10 minutes per person to fill in the census questionnaire, you will help make sure your community gets the services needed now and in the future.
If you are currently living at home or elsewhere because of COVID-19 restrictions but would usually live in university accommodation during term time, you will need to be included on your household census questionnaire, as well as completing the questionnaire for your University address. You can request a new access code for your University address here.
Anyone who has been living here for three months prior to Census day on 21 March 2021 and/or plans to live in England or Wales for three months after Census day needs to complete it. So, if you arrived in the UK to live at the University before, or up to, 21 December 2020 you need to complete the Census. If you moved to England or Wales after 21 December 2020 but plan to remain in the UK up to, or beyond 21 June 2021 you need to complete the Census.
No. The Office for National Statistics (ONS), which is an independent public body, carries out the Census in England and Wales. It only ever publishes anonymous information from the census. In fact, it’s a crime to share personal census information and everything you say is protected.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) only publishes anonymous information from the Census to help support the provision of services.
The full Census details are released 100 years after the Census has been completed; so the 1921 Census information will be released in January 2022.
The census makes a difference to everyone because it’s a once-in-a-decade chance to help inform the future of your local area.
For the first time in 2021, the Census will ask voluntary questions about sexual orientation and gender identity. This is to give us more accurate information on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations. This will help organisations combat any inequalities these groups face and show where services are needed. The Census will only ask people aged 16 years and over these questions.
If you do not feel comfortable identifying on the same form as the rest of your household, you can request an individual Census questionnaire and answer separately.
The Census asks you about your ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation, religion and national identity. It’s up to you to decide how you would like to answer each question. Some questions allow for a free text response rather than having to use predefined categories. Do it in the way that you feel best represents you.
Census Day is Sunday 21 March – but you can fill yours in as soon as you get your access code in the post. Your answers should be about the people who usually live in your household on this date – even if you’re filling it in before then. If you need help, visit www.census.gov.uk.
No. The information you share in the census cannot be used to influence benefit claims, a residency application, immigration status or your taxes. Officials dealing with payments or services you receive cannot see your census information.
Every household will receive a postcard from Monday 22 February like the one pictured below. Following this, you will receive a letter with a digital access code which you can use to fill out the census online. Completing the Census does not require you to exchange money, and at no time during the process will you be asked to provide your bank details. If you are concerned that you have been sent a scam Census, you can contact Census Customer Services by calling 0800 141 2021 or by using their web form. You also can check out the information on the official Census web pages www.census.gov.uk.
