This field collects the socio-economic classification of students participating in HE if 21 or over at the start of their course or parental classification if under 21

All entrants where EntryProfile.UCASAPPID exists where Course.COURSEAIM begins with H, I, J or C or is M22, M26 and EntryProfile.DOMICILE = XF, XG, XH, XI, XK, XL, GG, JE or IM

To monitor social background of students in a standard way.

This collects the socio-economic background of students aged 21 and over at the start of their course, or for students under 21 the socio-economic background of their parent, step-parent or guardian who earns the most. It is based on occupation, and if the parent or guardian is retired or unemployed, this is based on their most recent occupation.

Code 9 'Not classified' includes the 3 categories:

• students
• occupations not stated or inadequately described
• not classifiable for other reasons.

For students entering through UCAS this information will be available from UCAS via the *J transaction.

Institutions are encouraged to provide this information for other full-time undergraduates in order to provide more complete statistical information for the sector.

A full coding frame for SEC can been obtained from The Office for National Statistics.