Unique Learner Numbers

A Unique Learner Number (ULN) is a 10-digit identifier, which is applied to the Learner Record of anyone over the age of 14 involved UK education or training.

• ULN & Local Authorities
• ULN & Schools 
• ULN & Students
• ULN & Tutors

Learners will retain the same number for accessing their Learner Record throughout their lives, whatever their level of learning and wherever they choose to participate.

Each ULN is issued and held by the Learner Registration Service (LRS). The LRS uses the number to index each learner’s identity details, education and training qualifications within the Learner Record.

A unique identifier
The 10-digit ULN has been designed to ensure that no additional meaning can be inferred from its structure e.g. geographical location, level of learning. Its purpose is purely to provide a unique identifier for each indivdual's Learner Record.

Securing Learner Records
Learners will need to use their number each time they want to see or confirm the details held about them on their Learner Record. The ULN also means information within the Learner Records is secure and cannot be shared with other organisations (including statutory bodies), without the prior consent of the learner.

Tried and tested
A prototype registration service was operational from August 2006 and demonstrated, in practice, the benefits of improved control of access to learner records and secure data sharing. The prototype closed when information was transferred to the live service in September 2007.

The first ULN
Precious Igbinobaro from Lewisham College, London, was the first person to be registered with a ULN on September 6th 2006. By the time the live service was launched, almost 27,000 records were transferred.