Summer 2026 Update Webinar

We are pleased to announce we will be releasing the latest Technical Update for Summer 2026 to the LIVE database in June 2026. As a reminder, the Summer 2026 Technical Update deployment dates are as follows:

• DEMO database deployment: Tuesday 19th May 2026 at 11AM
• LIVE database deployment: Tuesday 16th June 2026 at 11AM

Important upcoming changes 

The changes made as part of the Technical Update will be deployed to the DEMO database on Tuesday 19th May 2026 for members to preview and familiarise themselves.

We are offering users a chance to tune in and see the latest developments before they are deployed to LIVE. The webinar on 2nd June will cover core database changes and will also include an introduction from the Data Team to the new Matched Comparator Group Report (formerly known as the Automated Comparator Group Tool).

Evaluation plays a key role in evidencing the impact of your work, and the Data Team will discuss how this new report simplifies the process of forming comparator groups, making it easier to assess participant outcomes with those of similar students.

Applying quasi-experimental approaches, such as matched comparator groups, can enhance the strength of your evidence. Documenting and sharing your findings can also support you to meet the Office for Students regulatory expectations for robust evaluation, including publishing evidence on the Higher Education Evaluation Library (HEEL). Further guidance on comparator groups is available through the Comparators Working Group resources in the File Store (members only). The tool has been shaped with input from the Comparators Working Group and Research Group, and further collaboration is planned as development continues. We look forward to showcasing our work to date on this new tool.