This report builds on the time series data produced annually since 2001 under the title "Patterns of higher education institutions in the UK." It offers a unique overview of provision at publicly-funded higher education institutions in the UK. All charts and tables in the report are now also available to download from the Universities UK website. Section A shows sector-level trends over the last 10 years from 2000/01 to 2009/10. For the first time, this offers a true time series provided by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), accounting for changes to the way student numbers are counted. Section B looks at patterns of institutional diversity covering students, staff and finance. The report provides a very helpful insight into high-level trends during a decade of significant expansion and change. Among other things, the report tracks the rise of student numbers, the changing popularity of different subject areas, and a notable shift in the funding regime. It also demonstrates how higher education institutions continue to make a large contribution to civil society and the economy in the UK. Appended are: (1) Students by mode of study, level of study and country of institution 2009/10; (2) Students by subject of study and academic year; (3) Non UK-domiciled students by country of domicile and level of study 2009/10; (4) Income of higher education institutions by academic year, source of income and country of institution (British pounds thousands); (5) Administrative expenditure per full-time equivalent student (British pounds) by institution 2008/09; (6) Academic departmental costs per full-time equivalent student, excluding academic staff costs (British pounds) by institution 2008/09; (7) Total academic services expenditure per full-time equivalent student (British pounds) by institution 2008/09; (8) Premises expenditure per full-time equivalent student (British Pounds) by institution 2008/09; and (9) Summary of institutional charts for 2008/09 and 2009/10. (Contains 16 tables, 38 charts and 17 footnotes.)