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HESA Student Record 2010/11 - General qualification aim of course

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HESA Student Record 2010/11

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General qualification aim of course


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valid entries
Typefield
Short nameCOURSEAIM
Description

This field describes the general qualification aim of the course and is intended to record the qualification that will be attained as a result of successful completion of studies.

Applicable toEngland Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
Coverage

All courses

Valid entries and labels
CodeLabel
D00Doctorate degree obtained primarily through advanced supervised research written up as a thesis/dissertation
D01New Route PhD
D90Advanced supervised research at level D for institutional credit
E00Doctorate degree not obtained primarily through advanced supervised research written up as a thesis/dissertation
E40National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level E
E43Highly specialist diploma from a professional body
E90Advanced taught study at level E for institutional credit
L00Masters degree obtained primarily through advanced supervised research written up as a thesis/dissertation
L80Other postgraduate qualification obtained primarily through advanced supervised research at level L written up as a thesis/dissertation
L90Advanced supervised research at level L for institutional credit
L91Visiting research students at levels D or L, with formal or informal credit
L99Advanced supervised research at levels D or L with an unspecified qualification aim
M00Masters degree obtained typically by a combination of coursework and thesis/dissertation, and not primarily through advanced supervised research written up as a thesis/dissertation
M01Taught masters degree designed specifically as a training in research methods and intended as a preparation for advanced supervised research
M02Masters in Teaching and Learning
M10Post-experience taught masters degree
M11Master of Business Administration (MBA)
M16Pre-registration masters degree leading towards obtaining eligibility to register to practice with a health or social care or veterinary statutory regulatory body
M22Integrated undergraduate/postgraduate taught masters degree on the enhanced/extended pattern
M26Integrated undergraduate/postgraduate taught masters degree on the enhanced/extended pattern leading towards obtaining eligibility to register to practice with a health or social care or veterinary statutory regulatory body
M40Fellowship at level M
M41Diploma at level M
M42Advanced professional certificate at level M
M43National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level M
M45Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) 5
M50Postgraduate bachelors degree at level M obtained typically by a combination of coursework and thesis/dissertation, and not primarily through advanced supervised research written up as a thesis/dissertation
M70Professional taught qualification at level M other than a masters degree
M71Postgraduate Certificate in Education or Professional Graduate Diploma in Education
M72Post-registration education qualification at level M other than a masters degree for serving schoolteachers
M76Post-registration health and social care qualification at level M
M78Taught qualification at level M (where qualification at level H and/or level M is a pre-requisite for course entry) leading towards registration with the Architects Registration Board (Part 3 qualification)
M79Level 7 Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector
M80Other taught qualification at level M
M86Taught qualification at level M leading towards obtaining eligibility to register to practice with a health or social care or veterinary statutory regulatory body
M88Taught qualification at level M (where a qualification at level H is a pre-requisite for course entry) leading towards registration with the Architects Registration Board (Part 2 qualification)
M90Taught work at level M for institutional credit
M91Visiting taught students at levels E or M, with formal or informal credit
M99Taught work at levels E or M with an unspecified qualification aim
H00First degree with honours
H11First degree with honours leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)/registration with a General Teaching Council (GTC)
H16Pre-registration first degree with honours leading towards obtaining eligibility to register to practice with a health or social care or veterinary statutory regulatory body
H18First degree with honours leading towards registration with the Architects Registration Board (Part 1 qualification)
H22First degree with honours on the enhanced/extended pattern but at level H
H23First degree with honours and diploma
H24First degree with honours on the intercalated pattern
H41Diploma at level H
H42Certificate at level H
H43National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level H
H50Postgraduate bachelors degree at level H
H60Graduate diploma/certificate at level H
H61Graduate diploma/certificate at level H but where a previous qualification at level H is a pre-requisite for course entry
H70Professional qualification at level H other than a first degree with honours
H71Professional Graduate Certificate in Education
H72Professional qualification at level H for serving schoolteachers other than a first degree with honours
H76Post-registration health and social care qualification at level H other than a first degree with honours
H78Other qualification at level H (where other qualifications at level H are a pre-requisite for course entry) leading towards registration with the Architects Registration Board (Part 3 qualification)
H79Level 6 Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector
H80Other qualification at level H
H81Other qualification at level H but where a previous qualification at level H is a pre-requisite for course entry
H88Qualification at level H (where another qualification at level H is a pre-requisite for course entry) leading towards registration with the Architects Registration Board (Part 2 qualification)
H90Credits at level H
H91Visiting students at level H, with formal or informal credit
H99Taught work at level H with an unspecified qualification aim
I00Ordinary (non-honours) first degree
I11Ordinary (non-honours) first degree leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)/registration with a General Teaching Council (GTC)
I16Pre-registration ordinary (non-honours) first degree leading towards obtaining eligibility to register to practice with a health or social care or veterinary statutory regulatory body
I60Graduate diploma/certificate at level I
I61Graduate diploma/certificate at level I but where a previous qualification at level I or H is a pre-requisite for course entry
I70Professional qualification at level I other than an ordinary (non-honours) first degree
I71Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)/registration with a General Teaching Council (GTC) only
I72Professional qualification at level I for serving schoolteachers
I74Teaching certificate (trained through the medium of Welsh)
I76Post-registration health and social care qualification at level I other than an ordinary (non-honours) first degree
I79Level 5 Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector
I80Other qualification at level I
I81Other qualification at level I but where a previous qualification at level I or H is a pre-requisite for course entry
I90Credits at level I
I91Visiting students at level I, with formal or informal credit
I99Taught work at level I with an unspecified qualification aim
J10Foundation degree
J16Foundation degree which on completion meets entry requirement for pre-registration health and social care qualification
J20Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)
J26Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) leading towards obtaining eligibility to register to practice with a health or social care or veterinary statutory regulatory body
J30Higher National Diploma (HND)
J41Diploma at level J
J42Certificate at level J
J43National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level J
J45Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) 4
J76Post-registration health and social care qualification at level J
J80Other qualification at level J
J90Credits at level J
J99Taught work at level J with an unspecified qualification aim
C20Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE)
C30Higher National Certificate (HNC)
C41Diploma at level C
C42Certificate at level C
C43National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level C
C77Level 4 Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector
C78Level 4 Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector
C80Other qualification at level C
C90Credits at level C
C99Taught work at level C with an unspecified qualification aim
P41Diploma at level P
P42Certificate at level P
P43National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) 3
P45Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) 3
P50A/AS level
P55Advanced Higher (Scotland)
P56Higher (Scotland)
P70Professional qualification at level 3
P77Level 3 Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector
P78Level 3 Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector
P80Other qualification at level 3
P85Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art and Design) at level 3
P90Credits at level 3
Q41Diploma at level Q
Q42Certificate at level Q
Q43National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) 2
Q45Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) 2
Q50GCSE at grade A*-C
Q56Intermediate 2 (Scotland)
Q57Standard Grade Credit (Scotland)
Q70Professional qualification at level 2
Q80Other qualification at level 2
Q90Credits at level 2
R42Certificate at level R
R43National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) 1
R45Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) 1
R50GCSE at grade D-G
R56Intermediate 1 (Scotland)
R57Standard Grade General (Scotland)
R70Professional qualification at level 1
R80Other qualification at level 1
R90Credits at level 1
S42National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Entry level certificate
S57Standard Grade Foundation (Scotland)
S80Other qualification at further education (FE) access level
S90Credits at further education (FE) access level
X00Higher education (HE) access course, Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) recognised
X01Higher education (HE) access course, not Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) recognised
X41Welsh for Adults Entry level
X42Welsh for Adults level 1
X43Welsh for Adults level 2
X44Welsh for Adults level 3
X45Welsh for Adults level 4
X46Welsh for Adults specialist/arbennig
X99No formal qualification aim, below HE level
Notes

Course aim describes the qualification that will be attained as a result of successful completion of the course.

Overall framework and alignment with existing frameworks.

The most relevant are the UK frameworks. For England, Wales and NI the HE qualifications framework identifies five levels (C/4, I/5, H/6, M/7, D/8) and these are aligned with the NVQ levels 4 to 8. The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), which is not HE-specific, is aligned with this except that the lower boundary of Scottish Level 7 is apparently slightly lower than the lower boundary of Level C / NVQ 4 (this is the lower cutoff for what may be regarded as HE in England and Wales, but, significantly, Scottish Advanced Highers fall into Level 7), and Level I /NVQ 5 is split into two levels in Scotland, Level 8 and 9.

The ISCED framework is used for international reporting, and four levels within it are relevant, Levels 4, 5B, 5A and 6. The Bologna framework for European HE harmonisation is still in process of development, but the current state may be summarised as recognising four levels: short-cycle, first-cycle, second-cycle, and third cycle.

HESA SCQF E/W/NI HE NVQ HE ISCED BOLOGNA
D 12- Doctorates D - Doctoral degree/FHEQ Level 8 Research N/A 6 Third cycle
E Taught 8 - Highly specialist Diploma from a professional body 5A
L 11 - Masters, SVQ 5 M - Master's degree, postgraduate diplomas, postgraduate certificates/FHEQ Level 7 Research N/A 6 ?
M Taught 7 - NVQ 5, Level 7 Diploma, Level 7 Fellowship, Level 7 Advanced professional Certificate 5A Second cycle
H 10 - Honours degree, Graduate Diploma / Certificate H- Bachelor's degrees with honours, Graduate certificates and diplomas/FHEQ Level 6 6 - Level 6 Certificate, Level 6 Diploma 5A First Cycle
I 9 - Ordinary degree, Graduate Diploma / Certificate I - Foundation degrees, Diplomas of higher education and other higher diplomas/FHEQ Level 5 5 - NVQ 4, Level 5 Certificate, Level 5 Diploma, Higher National Diploma 5B Short Cycle
J 8 Higher National Diploma, Diploma in Higher Education, SVQ 4
C 7 - Higher National Certificate, Certificate of Higher Education C - Certificates of Higher Education/FHEQ Level 4 4 - Level 4 Certificate, Level 4 Diploma ? 5B/4 ? Short Cycle / below classification

P Advanced Higher - 3 - NVQ 3, Level 3 Certificate, Level 3 Diploma - -
6 - Higher, SVQ 3
Q 5 - Intermediate 2, Credit Standard Grade, SVQ 2 - 2 - NVQ 2, Level 2 Certificate, Level 2 Diploma - -
R 4 - Intermediate 1, Credit Standard Grade, SVQ 1 - 1 - NVQ 1, Level 1 Certificate, Level 1 Diploma - -
S 1,2,3 Access Levels - Entry Level - -
X - - - - -

† Note that the QAA level descriptors in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ) have changed in the 2008 version compared with the 2001 version. Full details are available from the QAA publication The framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland published August 2009. Although the 2008 FHEQ qualification descriptor for level 6 states that this can be used as a reference for ordinary bachelor's degrees, for HESA purposes first degrees with honours should be coded at level H, and first degrees without honours should be coded at level I.

There is a summary of qualification levels in the UK and Ireland available from the QAA publication Qualifications can cross boundaries - a rough guide to comparing qualifications in the UK and Ireland.

This coding frame is designed to support the alignment of course qualifications with the frameworks, with the first letter indicating the level. Codes of similar type at different levels have the same two-digit suffix.

Please note that although the first letter of the code identifies a framework level, institutions in England will identify the funding level appropriate to a student following a course using Instance.FUNDLEV. This may be different to the level identified in this coding frame.

The codes for visiting students can be used as alternatives to institutional credit codes, particularly for informal credit. Students are specifically identified as exchange students in Instance.EXCHANGE.

Additional guidance on specific codes:

D00 Doctorate degree obtained primarily through advanced supervised research written up as a thesis/dissertation.

This would typically require three years of supervised work or the equivalent (typical title PhD, DPhil). This will normally be written up as a thesis or dissertation.

D01 New Route PhD.

The NewRoutePhD is an integrated programme of postgraduate training which combines research with a structured programme of advanced training in discipline specific and generic skills.

E00 Doctorate degree NOT obtained primarily through advanced supervised research written up as a thesis/dissertation.

Use this code for 'professional' Doctorates with major coursework and professional practice components.

L00 Master's degree obtained primarily through advanced supervised research written up as a thesis/dissertation.

This would typically require two years of supervised work or the equivalent (for example MPhil, possibly MSc, MA, MLitt but excluding a taught Master's as usually understood). This will normally be written up as a thesis or dissertation.

L99 Advanced supervised research at Levels D or L with an unspecified qualification aim.

Use this code for beginning research students not yet specifically registered for either a Master's or Doctorate degree.

M00 Master's degree obtained typically by a combination of coursework and thesis/dissertation, and NOT primarily through advanced supervised research written up as a thesis/dissertation.

Use this code for taught Master's degrees (typical title MSc or MA). Post-experience Master's degrees should be coded below

M01 Taught Master's degree designed specifically as a training in research methods and intended as a preparation for advanced supervised research.

Use this code only for MRes degrees and similar.

M02 Masters in Teaching and Learning

The Masters in Teaching and Learning (MTL) is a new professional qualification for teachers

M10 Post-experience taught Master's degree

(MEd, for example). 'Post-experience' implies a period of at least two years' relevant work experience as a pre-requisite for entry to the programme leading to the qualification. Do not use this category simply because a qualification is being taken post-experience.

M11 Master of Business Administration.

Use this code rather than M10 for post-experience MBA.

M22 Integrated undergraduate/postgraduate taught Master's degree on the enhanced/extended pattern.

Use this code for MEng and similar. Such masters degrees comprise an integrated programme of study spanning several years. While the final outcomes of the qualifications meet the expectations for level M in full, these integrated qualifications have an additional period of study at lower levels (typically level H). Use code M22 only where code M26 is not applicable.

M26 Integrated undergraduate/postgraduate taught Master's degree on the enhanced/extended pattern leading towards eligibility to practice with a Health or Social Care or Veterinary statutory regulatory body

This code can be used for degrees in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science comprising an integrated programme of study and professional practice.

M50 Postgraduate Bachelor's degree at level M obtained typically by a combination of coursework and thesis/dissertation, and NOT primarily through advanced supervised research written up as a thesis/dissertation.

Use this code for degrees such as BPhil, BMus if at Level M.

M70 Professional taught qualification at Level M other than a Master's degree.

Use M71, M72, M76, M78 in preference if applicable.

M71 Postgraduate Certificate in Education or Professional Graduate Diploma in Education.

See H71 for Professional Graduate Certificate in Education. See QAA Statement on the PGCE Qualification

M76 Post-registration health and social care qualification at level M.

This code includes Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

H00 First degree with honours.

This could be MA in Scotland.

H11 First degree with honours leading to QTS/registration with a GTC.

This code should only be used for BEd if it is at level H.

H61 Graduate Diploma/Certificate at Level H.

Use this code where a previous qualification at Level H is a pre-requisite for course entry; use H50 in preference if applicable.

H70 Professional qualification at Level H other than a first degree with honours.

Use H71, H72, H76, H88 in preference if applicable.

H71 Professional Graduate Certificate in Education.

See code M71 for Postgraduate Certificate in Education. See Statement on the PGCE Qualification

H76 Post-registration health and social care qualification at Level H other than a first degree with honours.

This code includes Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

H81 Other qualification at Level H but where a previous qualification at Level H is a pre-requisite for course entry.

Use H50, H71, H72, H76 in preference if applicable.

I11 Ordinary (non-honours) first degree leading to QTS/registration with a GTC.

Code BEd here unless it is at level H.

I70 Professional qualification at Level I other than an ordinary (non-honours) first degree.

Use I76 in preference if applicable.

I76 Post-registration health and social care qualification at Level I other than an ordinary (non-honours) first degree.

This code includes Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

J76 Post-registration health and social care qualification at level J.

This code includes Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Health and Social Care courses

Courses which lead to a qualification to teach nursing, midwifery or health visiting courses should be coded 2 in Course.TTCID .

Post-Registration health and social care codes ('_76') should be returned for post-registration health and social care students taking continuing professional updating modules. Post-registration health and social care students studying for other qualifications should be coded to the appropriate code for that qualification. For example, a post-registration health and social care student studying for a first degree should be coded 'H00' for First degree, rather than H76. Validation rules have been relaxed to allow regulatory body information to be returned for these post-registration students.

H16 'First degree leading towards obtaining eligibility to register to practice with a Health or Social Care or Veterinary statutory regulatory body' will be used in combination with the subject code or codes to identify those degrees which lead to eligibility to register to practice with a Health or Social Care or Veterinary statutory regulatory body.

Social work courses

HESA has been advised by the Department of Health that courses leading to eligibility to register to practice with a social care statutory regulatory body will not necessarily be coded with a '_16' code in this field. Institutions offering courses leading to eligibility to register to practice with a social care statutory regulatory body should return regulatory body information in Course.REGBODY and Instance.DHREGREF irrespective of the code used in this field.

Architecture courses

Codes are specifically set up for courses leading to registration with the Architects Registration Board. Use code H18 for Part 1 (even if your institutional assessment of the course is that it is at another level, such as level I). For parts 2 and 3, use the appropriate code to indicate the level of course as assessed by the institution (H88 or M88 for part 2, H78 or M78 for part 3).

Non-accredited and non-approved qualifications

QCA is nearing completion of its process of accrediting external awarding bodies (i.e. awarding bodies other than HEIs). It is important that qualifications made by external awarding bodies are distinguished between those with and those without QCA recognition.

Once completed, the HEFCE will only fund courses leading to qualifications made by external awarding bodies if they have received the appropriate QCA accreditation, or if the continued funding has been approved as part of transition arrangements. Codes for professional qualifications ('_70' ) should only be used for qualifications that have been accredited by QCA. Students who are on courses that are not QCA accredited should be indicated by code '99' in Instance.FUNDLEV.

For Welsh institutions to be eligible for funding, it is expected that qualifications made by external awarding bodies will be included (or awaiting inclusion) in the QCA framework.

Access courses

A recognised Access to HE course is one validated by an Authorised Validating Agency that has been licensed for the purpose by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), under the terms of the QAA Recognition Scheme for Access to Higher Education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Relevant Access courses are recorded on the Access to HE Courses Database. QAA does not licence any AVAs in Scotland.

Welsh for Adults

There is no generic code for Welsh for Adults courses, these are coded at five levels plus a separate code for Specialist/Arbennig courses. The definition of a Specialist/Arbennig course is: a taster, revision or residential course; a Saturday school; a coffee club, and any other short course that is organised in addition to the main programme of Welsh for Adults courses.

Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) and Student Associates Scheme (SAS)

Students on SKE and SAS schemes must be coded H99, and these instances will be excluded from the HESA standard populations.

Research-based higher degrees

A research-based higher degree is a postgraduate programme comprising a research component (including a requirement to produce original work) that is larger than any accompanying taught component when measured by student effort. The arrangements for assuring and maintaining the academic standards, and enhancing the quality, of these programmes should be fully compliant with section one of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education’s code of practice for the assurance of academic quality and standards in higher education (postgraduate research programmes).

Some specialist doctoral degrees, such as Doctor of Education (EdD) and Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsychol), may include a research component but also include significant taught components and supervised practice. These degrees do not generally require the student to produce the same amount of original research as a PhD. Students registered for a specialist doctoral degree should only be included as research students if they satisfy our other criteria.

Only those courses that met this definition should use codes D00, D01, D90, L00, L80, L90, L99.

Other guidance

The General qualification aim of course should be consistent with funding council HESES/Early Statistics.

Higher bachelors degrees at undergraduate level should be coded H50.

M22 includes Finniston degrees and other 'undergraduate masters' degrees, e.g. MEng. Such courses should be coded M22 throughout.

An intercalated first degree (H24) is where students on a first degree, usually in medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine, interrupt their studies to complete a one-year course of advanced studies in a related topic, usually to Honours standard. On completion of the intercalated year, the student resumes studies on their original course.

J10 and J16, Foundation Degrees, are intended to cover those programmes which HEIs are running as Foundation Degrees which are consistent with the 'Statement of Design Principles' for Foundation Degrees issued by UUK and SCOP.

Postgraduate professional qualifications are those which, regardless of their level, normally require the possession of a first degree for admission. Undergraduate professional diplomas and certificates should be coded to the appropriate '_70' code.

Where a student is following a programme of study leading potentially to two or more qualifications concurrently, and that combination is not specified under valid entries, please return the qualification code that is highest in level.

For HE level students funded by the LSC or WAG-DCELLS (coded 3 in Instance.FESTUMK) both this field and Course.FEQAIMC must be completed in full.

For FE level students in England and Wales (codes 1 or 4 in Instance.FESTUMK) both this field and Course.FEQAIMC must be completed in full.

However, codes P80, Q80 or R80 for Other qualification below HE level' may be returned as a default in this field provided a valid learning aims database reference is given Course.FEQAIMC for all FE level courses except for courses at institutions in Wales or Welsh for Adults courses which should be coded X41 - X46.

Certificate in Further Education should be coded M80 if at postgraduate level or H80 if at undergraduate level.

If a foundation course or year is integrated into another qualification e.g. a first degree, code H00 'First degree' should be returned in this field.

Post/Higher Doctorates should not be included in the return.

The HESA record for a Foundation Degree bridging course should indicate this Instance.BRIDGE. The FTE recorded in Instance.STULOAD should be increased to reflect the additional FTE of the bridging course. Where the bridging course spans two academic years, the first of these academic years should be returned as 'non-standard' in Instance.TYPEYR. Where a student is only active for the bridging course during the academic year, this field should be completed with the code for the appropriate level of credit (i.e. when a student withdraws during or following completion of the course, or where they transfer in from another institution prior to commencing the course). In comparing HESA data to HESES, HEFCE will use the above information to generate two countable years for such students.

Students entering with enhanced first degrees, that is qualifications that would be coded H22/M22/M26 in the COURSEAIM field, should be recorded as having a higher degree (01) in EntryProfile.QUALENT2 field, or M2X in EntryProfile.QUALENT3.

Examples

With a course leading to an HND, where some of the students may subsequently carry on to take a degree, the current general qualification aim of HND should be recorded.

Quality rules
Quality rules relating to this field are displayed here.
Reason required

To allow analysis of the student population by level of study.

Part of
Field length3
Minimum occurrences1
Maximum occurrences1
Schema components
Element: COURSEAIM
OwnerHESA
Version1.3
Date modified2011-06-30
Change management notesD00 and L00 guidance amended to include 'This will normally be written up as a thesis or dissertation' to reflect that while a these is usual for research degrees, it is not ubiquitous. Examples of DBA and EdD removed from E00 guidance, as while these are not commonly research qualifications, they can be.

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