Work on the University’s new Student Information System (SIS)  has been moving ahead throughout 2023, with progress made right across the project. The new system, provided by Ellucian, will replace our existing outdated systems with a modern, cloud-based and sector-standard alternative. The new system is simple, intuitive and can integrate with existing systems where needed.  

The Project Team’s work is focused on eight workstreams (outlined below) in addition to core elements - data migration, systems integrations and management information (MI) reporting which is used to inform decision making.  

Progress to December 2023  

Much of the progress to date has been made in the Admissions and Curriculum Management workstreams. Originally set to go live this autumn, the full Admissions launch has been moved to Autumn 2024 to ensure the robustness of processes. Testing has now been completed for the UCAS Admissions processes and Hobsons integration (software we use to manage prospects and applicants), and the workstream will now focus on all other aspects including online applications, PGT and DfE Teacher Training  

Finance, Student Administration, and Enrolment and Registration workstreams are all underway too, and work is taking place to map our data sets ahead of transfer to the Ellucian Banner system. This work includes a large amount of data cleansing and error fixing, to ensure that data is correct before transfer.These Workstream colleagues have completed workshops with Ellucian to understand how the processes work for their areas, with deep dive sessions now taking place to focus on specific aspects and tasks.  

Further workstreams have begun more recently and are in the planning stage. Scholarships & Bursaries, Reporting, and Integrations are focussing on plans and timelines, and having early meetings with Ellucian to understand these elements of the system.  

The workstreams for Student Assessment Progression and Graduation and Statutory Reporting will be launching in the first part of 2024.  

Plans for 2024  

A revised project plan detailing project delivery will be published in the new year. We’ll also be ramping up our engagement activity and introducing a network of change ambassadors (key individuals in teams whose role it is to work with the project team on training, information sharing and roll out). There will be regular updates to our webpages, video demonstrations and a programme of in-person training sessions.     

Find out more  

Read more about SIS on our project webpages or contact the team directly at: studentinformationsystem@sussex.ac.uk