
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:
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.
This event will take place on Tuesday 2nd June 2026, 11:00 – 12:00 PM.
Please register by Monday 1st June 2026, 5:00 PM to join us for this event, and submit any questions you have via the registration link – we will do our best to cover them in the webinar. Further details will then be sent out to registered attendees in due course. If you are unable to attend, the recording will be published after the event.
Please note: We recommend that you log out of the HEAT database before completing your application to prevent potential time-out issues
We look forward to seeing you soon! If you have any queries about this event, please contact HEAT Support.