Ontrack AFD Dynamic address treatment of commas

In Ontrack, when using the typeahead AFD functionality, enabled by choosing AFD Dynamic search options, then address lines that have commas will be split onto separate lines. This matches the logic in place in EBS Central and also used for Ontrack standard address searching.

Not applicable

NZ AFD default format available

If you manage institution settings in a New Zealand environment, you can now view and use the AFD Default Format (Ontrack) setting on the AFD screen in Institution Settings.

This update brings New Zealand in line with the UK and allows you to configure the default AFD format.

Not applicable

Intel pi version has been upgraded

EBS 4.51 includes the March 2026 release of pi. For more information, go to pi release notes.

Not applicable

UCAS 2027 cycle changes

This release introduces support for the UCAS 2027 application cycle and includes performance improvements to the UCAS integration as follows:

UCAS XML‑Link API versioning

UCAS are introducing versioning to their XML‑Link APIs. To support this change, EBS now maps each application cycle to a specific API version:

• The 2026 application cycle uses API version 1

• The 2027 application cycle uses API version 2

You control when your institution switches from the 2026 cycle to the 2027 cycle by using the existing application year institution setting. This allows you to manage the transition in line with your admissions processes.

Support for multiple disabilities

This release also adds support for recording multiple disabilities, in line with updated UCAS requirements. You can now import multiple disability codes through the UCAS integration workflow when an applicant supplies them, starting with the 2027 application cycle.

Integration performance improvements

In addition to UCAS‑driven changes, this release improves UCAS integration performance. EBS now reduces the amount of data downloaded from UCAS by retrieving only records that have changed since the last successful download. This results in faster processing and more efficient data synchronisation.

New institution setting

A new institution setting has been created, UCAS HE Retrieve data updated after date. This date will be updated if the UCAS import process completes without errors. It can also be manually set.

New reference data

A new reference data screen has been added, UCAS Application Cycle, that allows institutions to control the Active Application years, plus amend the XML Link API version number that is used for a cycle.

UCAS HE institution settings

UCAS application cycle

WAL UCAS Welsh address lines

For Welsh customers, when importing applicant data from UCAS, longer address lines will be trimmed to ensure address line lengths are compatible with the LLWR data return.

Not applicable