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HESA Aggregate record for students studying wholly outside the UK 2008/09

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HESA Aggregate record for students studying wholly outside the UK 2008/09

Frequently asked questions


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Version 1.1 Produced 2009-06-04

Coverage

Which students should be returned on the Aggregate offshore record? In general, the Aggregate offshore record will be collected in respect of students studying (to date) wholly outside the UK who are either registered with the reporting institution or who are studying for an award of the reporting institution. This will include all students active at any point in the reporting period, including students becoming dormant part way through the year, and those withdrawing from courses.
How is offshore defined for the purposes of this record? "Offshore" for the purposes of HESA's data collection means outside of the UK. Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man are not part of the United Kingdom.

Data requirements

How should student numbers be counted? The record should include a headcount of all students active in the reporting period (1 August to 31 July).
Should we return students studying abroad for qualifications validated by our institution? Where your institution is validating awards for an institution outside the UK these students should not be included within the Aggregate offshore record. Only students who are registered at your institution or are studying for an award of the reporting institution should be reported in this record.
If a non-fundable student completes part of their course abroad, and then comes to the UK institution to complete their course, should this student be included on the Aggregate offshore record? Where a non-funded student studies for the first year(s) of their course outside of the UK they should be included on the Aggregate offshore record. When the student comes to the UK they should not continue to be reported on the Aggregate offshore record. Instead they should be returned as a full individualised record on the Student record.
Are joint awards between a UK HEI and an overseas partner organisation classed as an award of the reporting institution? Yes, joint awards between a UK HEI and an overseas partner are classed as an award of the reporting institution.
How should funded students who are studying outside the UK be returned? Students studying abroad who are considered fundable under Funding Council definitions should not be included on the Aggregate offshore record. These students should be returned as full individualised records on the Student Record.
Is there any requirement from institutions that do not have provision of students studying wholly outside the UK? Institutions which do not have any students studying wholly outside the UK are required to complete a nil return form and return this to HESA by the submission deadline, 30 September 2009.
Should students who commence their study in the UK and then move to study abroad be returned on the Aggregate offshore record when located abroad? No. Students who commence study in the UK and then move to study outside the UK should be returned on the Student Record, even when located abroad.

Record structure

What format is the data required to be returned in? The data is required to be returned in an XML format. Details of the XML schema can be found in C08052.xsd.

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