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We offer access to increase our impact and stimulate new research in the education space. We warmly welcome research that uses HEAT’s data to enhances the sector’s shared understanding of outreach, supports collaborative learning, and helps HEAT and its members reflect on and improve their practice.
Researchers and third-party organisations interested in using HEAT data for research purposes can apply for access by following the process set out below.
- Research & Evidence
- Apply to Access HEAT Data
We are committed to building evidence to further the sector’s understanding around the risks to equality of opportunity in higher education. Under the guidance of HEAT’s Research Group, we make Activity data available to researchers to use in their own research projects.
The data HEAT shares
HEAT makes a HEAT Activity Delivery Dataset available to non-commercial researchers whether or not their organisation is a HEAT member.
This dataset brings together over a decade of higher education outreach activity recorded by members of the HEAT Service. It includes aggregated records of outreach interventions delivered from 2014/15 to the most recent complete academic year, offering a national picture of the scale and characteristics of outreach work across England.
Each record describes an activity, not an individual. It may include details such as the type of activity, its duration, its beneficiary institutions, and other contextual information supplied by members. The dataset does not contain student- or participant‑level data, and it cannot be used for projects requiring individual outcomes or tracking. Instead, it is ideally suited to research focused on programme design, reach, and sector‑wide practice.
Researchers can use the dataset to explore themes such as:
- National patterns in outreach delivery
- Trends over time in activity types and scale
- Collaboration between institutions
- Strategic planning and policy development
- Benchmarking and evidence-building
Who can apply
To foster a diverse and collaborative network, we encourage applications from:
- Universities and recognised research institutions, including students where their work is supervised by a recognised academic who can countersign a data sharing agreement
- Public sector bodies
- Charities and not-for-profit groups undertaking public-benefit research
We do not provide access to commercial organisations.
HEAT members can access the last three complete years plus the current unfinished academic year of HEAT Activity Data via the HEAT System. However, this is for partnership working purposes only. If a HEAT member wishes to use the data for research purposes, they must apply using this research application process.
Creating a research proposal
When applying to access HEAT data, we require a proposal to understand more about your research.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate:
- A clear research question and methodology
- Relevant subject knowledge or analytical experience
- Capacity to handle the dataset responsibly
- Commitment to collaborative working and knowledge sharing
If you’re unsure whether your proposal is a good fit, we would be delighted to discuss it with you. Please contact HEAT Support to learn more.
Before you apply
Please read the following documents before submitting your application.
These documents outline the structure, scope and limitations of the dataset, what we need from applicants, and the conditions of access.
1. HEAT Activity Delivery Dataset Field List
A detailed list of variables included in the dataset as well as contextual information about its scope and limitations.
2. Application Form
The Application Form with a template for describing your research aims, methods, and data requirements.
3. Sample Data Sharing Agreement (DSA)
The terms and responsibilities that apply if your application is approved.
These resources will help you prepare a complete and well‑structured application, which in turn helps us process your request quicker.
How to apply
Please follow the three steps below to submit your application.
Step 1: Download and Review the Required Documents
Prepare to make an application by reviewing the Field List document, Application Form and sample data sharing agreement.
Step 2: Prepare your Research Proposal
Complete the Application Form, including:
- Your research aims and questions
- Proposed methodology
- Field list requirements (if specific variables are critical)
- Expected outputs
- Project team members
Since there is no standard access model for the HEAT Activity Data (e.g., a secure research environment), your application can simply describe how you will manage the dataset securely within your own environment.
Step 3: Submit Your Application Form
Once you have completed the above steps, please email your Application Form to HEAT Support, where a member of the team will assist you further.
We will acknowledge receipt within two working days.
After you apply
Once we have received your application, it will be reviewed by the HEAT Data Team and clarifications sought from you if necessary.
Timeline and Criteria
After we have completed a review, your application will be sent to the HEAT Research Group who will have 10 working days to approve, reject or ask for more information via the HEAT Data Team.
We therefore aim to provide decisions within 10 to 15 working days of receiving a complete application, but complex requests or those requiring clarification may take longer.
If you are working to a particular deadline, please tell us as soon as possible and we will do our best to help.
The HEAT Data Team and the HEAT Research Group consider requests against criteria such as:
- Alignment with the aims of HEAT and its members
- Public benefit and sector value
- Feasibility and quality of the methodology
- Clarity and proportionality of requested fields
- Ethical considerations where relevant
Decision and Next Steps
If your application is approved, we will:
- Provide a Data Sharing Agreement tailored to your research for you to sign
- Inform you of the secure data transfer arrangements for the requested data
- Sign and return your Data Sharing Agreement to you
The HEAT Data Team would expect to supply your data within 10 working days of receiving your signed Data Sharing Agreement.
Your responsibilities
Researchers approved for access agree to:
- Use the data only for the approved project
- Store it securely and restrict access to the named team
- Avoid any attempt to link, match, or enrich the dataset with other sources in a way that might introduce identifiable information
- Share findings (where possible) to help grow the sector’s evidence base
- Provide a lay summary of your project for publication on our website, along with your contact information
- Acknowledge HEAT in all outputs
- Delete or return data when the project ends
We aim to support open, collaborative, high-quality research and we are happy to advise if you have questions about best practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the HEAT Activity Delivery Dataset contains activity-level information only.
This dataset is not for linkage or identification purposes. We can advise on suitable approaches.
Yes, but applications must be submitted by (or formally supervised by) a recognised academic.
Yes, we include a list of approved projects which are currently using the HEAT Activity Delivery Dataset on our website.
We recommend you read through the projects listed as you may find there are other researchers interested in the same or similar research questions as yours.
In those instances, we might encourage you to contact them to see if you can collaborate in some way. Should you decide to work together, you will still have to submit an application for approval and sign the Data Sharing Agreement.
The HEAT Institution Coverage Export is available for partnership/targeting purposes only and those wishing to download it must acknowledge that they agree to these terms of use.
If a HEAT member wishes to use Activity data for research purposes, they must use the application process detailed above. We would recommend this anyway, since the HEAT Institution Coverage Export always limited to the last three full academic years and one current incomplete academic year.
Discover more Research & Evidence
Independent Research Using HEAT Data
Explore the different studies and projects that have been produced by independent researchers using HEAT’s Activity Delivery Dataset.
HEAT Track Impact Reports
Read our annual reports for members and the public, examining the impact of outreach on participants’ educational outcomes.