Upcoming development: Database language change from HESA to Higher Education Track

In the upcoming Winter 2025 Update, we are implementing a change which will see the text references to ‘HESA’ (which stands for the Higher Education Statistics Agency, whom we work with via Jisc to facilitate our tracking data) replaced with ‘Higher Education Track’ in areas across the HEAT database.

These changes will be available on the DEMO database from Tuesday 11th November 2025, and on the LIVE database from Tuesday 9th December 2025.

Which areas will be impacted by this change?

The following areas on the HEAT database will be impacted by this change:

• Reports: ‘HESA Track’ to change to ‘Higher Education Track’
• Exports: Title of ‘Activities Include students with HESA’ to change to Activities Include students with ‘Higher Education Track’
• Student Record: Title of ‘HESA’ tab to change to ‘Higher Education’ tab
• Ambassador Record: Title of ‘HESA’ tab to change to ‘Higher Education’ tab
• Database Home page: ‘Student HESA Tracking’ tab to change to ‘Student Higher Education Tracking’ tab

Why are we making this change?

We are updating our terminology to ensure consistency across all elements of the HEAT Track and help improve member understanding. In line with the naming of the Key Stage 4 Track, the Key Stage 5 Track and the Contextualised HE Entry Track, the term ‘Higher Education Track’ clearly reflects its emphasis on student outcomes in higher education.