Reference data updates

The following reference data has been updated to comply with the latest updates from the DfE:

• FUNDING and STUDENT_TYPE: 79 Cinemagic/Inclusive Futures

  Validation rule 81 and validation rule 84 have been updated as part of this update to include the new codes.

• PROG_FAST_TRACK CDR verifier has been updated. The Introductory pathway will not be offered in academic year 2025/26, and code 03 has been made inactive.

CDP KPI updates

Curriculum manager has been updated to allow the bulk update of the CDP KPI column. Note that the reference data for CDP KPI has also been updated to reflect the latest guidance from the DfE.

Remove AMS_FTE field from the CSV output file

This field was originally added as a placeholder for future development that did not go ahead. The field is not included in the CDR reporting table but still appears in the CSV output.

To ensure consistency between the reporting table and the exported data, the field has been removed from the CSV output.

Error surfer sorting

When users run CDR processing with validations, they can open the Error Surfer from the Learner Manager ribbon. The Error Surfer displays a sortable and filterable list of all validation errors generated during processing.

Currently, sorting by Error Code uses basic alphanumeric ordering. Because the field is stored as alphanumeric, values are sorted as text rather than as numbers. For example, 173 appears before 18.

To make the list easier to use, the sorting method has been updated to support true alphanumeric sorting, ensuring numeric values are ordered correctly.

PLAQ list update

As part of the 2025/26 statutory wave, the Level and SSA Tier 2 fields were added to the PLAQ list reference table. These fields were introduced as non‑editable in the client, but users now need to be able to update them.

This change will make both fields editable so users can amend existing PLAQ reference data when required.

In addition, the fields must be updated to use existing reference data to ensure consistent and valid values are entered:

• Level must use the reference data where RV_Domain = LVL in the CDR Verifiers list.

• SSA Tier 2 must use the reference data where RV_Domain = SSA_Code in the CDR Verifiers list.

Support for current and previous academic/funding year statistics

The overnight workflow process has been updated to calculate statistics for both the current and previous academic or funding years. This enhancement ensures that when users run the CDR return, the system selects the correct set of statistics for the year being processed.

The Update ebs_CDRStatisticsData view now includes new logic that checks the institution setting CalculatePreviousFundingYearStats to determine which session code to use:

• If CalculatePreviousFundingYearStats = N

  The view behaves as before and uses the current year’s session code.

• If CalculatePreviousFundingYearStats = Y

  The view dynamically determines the appropriate session code based on the institution’s configuration. Joins between session codes and funding years are now format‑independent, allowing for institution-specific variations.

Streamlined work placement creation

The process for adding a learner to an organisation in a FES work placement record has been simplified. Users no longer need to open the Organisation record to attach a learner before the work placement appears on the Work Placements tab.

The system now allows Scottish users to create and attach a work placement record directly from the learner’s enrolment, removing the unnecessary intermediate steps.

Additionally, the requirement for an ILR licence to access or use the Work Placements tab in Scotland has been removed.

Support for care‑experienced students outside the UK

A new requirement has been added to flag care‑experienced students who are receiving care outside the United Kingdom. Code List Y has been updated to include this additional classification.

EBS now contains new reference data for the Care‑experienced Student field to support this requirement.

Field updates

The following fields have been updated:

• The Associated Student and Disability Allowance fields were previously recorded in learner details. Based on customer feedback, these fields have now been moved to Enrolments so that providers can record status differences across individual enrolments.

• Previously, users needed to attach an Organisation to a work placement record to populate the Employer Contact Name field. While this functionality remains available, users can now manually edit the contact name when it differs between learners, even if the Organisation remains the same.

• The In receipt of Care Experienced Bursary field was previously stored in learner details. Based on customer feedback, this field has been moved to Central Enrolments so providers can record bursary status for each individual enrolment.

• More fields can now be edited and changed in bulk using the learner enrolments and learner details grids.

• Various other fields have been moved to improve the efficiency of data entry with Central for FES.

Import file updates

The HESA graduate outcomes import process has been updated to support the different formats supplied by HESA for HE providers and Welsh FE colleges and English FE and NI FE Colleges.

Grid updates

The following HESA graduate outcomes columns have been renamed to match the requirements from HESA:

• HUSID is now SID

• CTITLE is now COURSETITLE

• OWNCOURSEID is now COURSEREFRENCID

• XDOM01 is now PERMADDCOUNTRY

Update graduate outcomes contact details record format for 2023/24

The output file generated by the EBS graduate outcomes module has been updated to match the 2023/24 contact details record specification defined by HESA in the C23071 collection.

Update graduate outcomes matching options

The graduate outcomes matching options in the HESA GO grid have been updated to align with the data structure defined for the HESA C23071 collection.

The matching‑options list now reflects the current grid columns for C23071. Obsolete fields have been moved to a new Redundant Fields section at the bottom of the matching pop‑up window.

Additional updates include:

• A new checkbox, FEPUSID, has been added below SID.

• The subheading Graduate Outcomes Marking Options has been updated to Graduate Outcomes Matching Options.

Reference data updates

The available reference data has been updated to align with the latest classifications published by the TEC.