The HESA Student record is collected from subscribing Higher Education Providers (HEPs) throughout the devolved administrations of the United Kingdom. The data collected as part of the Student record is used extensively by various stakeholders and is fundamental in the formulation of: Funding, Performance Indicators, Publications (including UNISTATS), League tables.

The Student record collects individualised data about students active during the reporting period. A wide range of data items are collected, including: the student's entry profile and personal characteristics, module and course level data, funding information and qualifications awarded.

All HESA records are collected on the basis of the HESA reporting period that determines the time period that the data being returned relates to. This ensures consistency across the data streams collected. The reporting period is from 01 August year 1 to 31 July year 2, for example, the 2016/2017 Student record was collected in respect of the activity which took place between 01 August 2016 and 31 July 2017.

Further information on the HESA Student record can be found on the HESA website: https://www.hesa.ac.uk/collection/archive