Students are a special case because they constitute the largest group of people who are away from their usual address for a substantial part of the year. The effect on the census varies: in 1971 the census took place during some student holidays, in 1981 it was during term-time, in 1991 during the holidays and during term-time in 2001.

There are two main effects of this to consider: firstly, whether we can obtain household information for students at a particular census; secondly, how to distinguish a student's home and term-time addresses.

Use the links below to find out how students were enumerated in each of the censuses from 1971 to 1991. Then use this information to answer the questions underneath.

• Students in the 1971 census
• Students in the 1981 census
• Students in the 1991 census
• Students in the 2001 census

In summary:

• 1971 Census taken during holidays for some, so students enumerated at both home and term addresses.
• 1981 Census taken during term-time, but most students enumerated at "usual" address.
• 1991 Census taken during holidays, so most students enumerated at home address. Students who live elsewhere during term-time can be identified.
• 2001 Census taken during term-time, so students enumerated at their term-time address. Only basic information collected at their home address if studying away from home.