This field identifies students who are part of a specific scheme that is to be monitored independently. Valid entries will change from year to year to reflect current schemes.

Instances at institutions in England or Wales that are part of a named scheme

This field may be returned twice if a student falls under two schemes.

This field collects information with respect to student instances that are part of a scheme. Where a student transfers course within the same instance, Instance.INITIATIVES should continue to identify the scheme.

The field should not be used for students who might previously have undertaken an initiative as part of a different instance or at another institution.

Employer Engagement Co-funded Students

Co-funded ASNs are additional student numbers (ASNs) allocated at a lower rate of funding than 'full funded' ASNs, normally at between 50-75 per cent of a full-time equivalent (FTE) student. HEFCE would expect the HEI or FEC to secure from an employer the remaining percentage. For example, an HEI wishing to deliver an HE Certificate (120 credits) to 30 learners may be allocated 15 FTEs by HEFCE and be expected to secure the equivalent of 15 FTEs of funding from employers. Further information is available from HEFCE.

HEFCE has ceased to fund this scheme from 2012/13, however, transitional funding will be awarded to new entrants in 2012/13 to establish sustainable employer co-funded activity beyond the life of the ASN scheme. Students funded with these transitional funds should be identified using code 2 'Employer engagement co-funded students'. This code must not be used for continuing instances, and validation will prevent this.

Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute (UHOVI)

Code 7 'Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute (UHOVI)' is used to identify instances at institutions in Wales participating in the UHOVI initiative.

One Wales Scheme - foundation degree

Code 8 'One Wales Scheme - foundation degree' is used to identify instances in Wales taking foundation degrees funded through the One Wales Scheme via HEFCW. More information can be found in HEFCW circular W10/29 HE Foundation Degrees.

European Social Fund (ESF) - foundation degree

Code 9 'European Social Fund (ESF) - foundation degree' is used to identify instances in Wales taking foundation degrees funded through the European Social Fund's Higher Skills Wales programme led by the University of Glamorgan in partnership with the HE and FE sector across the whole of Wales. More information can be found on the Higher Skills Wales website http://www.higherskillswales.co.uk/fdp.

The European Social Fund (ESF) was set up to improve employment opportunities in the European Union and so help raise standards of living. It aims to help people fulfil their potential by giving them better skills and better job prospects.

National Scholarship Programme

Code A 'National Scholarship Programme (NSP)' is used to identify students in England who have received an NSP award for this instance.

Access to HE diploma marker

At the request of HEFCE code B 'Access to HE diploma marker' has been added to identify instances at institutions in England where an Access to HE diploma (QualificationsOnEntry.QUALTYPEs Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5, Y6, Y7, Y8, Y9, YA, YB, YC, YD, YF, LD) has been awarded and an appropriate grade has been achieved for ABB+ equivalency. The appropriate grade to meet ABB+ equivalency is defined as an overall pass which includes 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and the other 15 at Merit or higher, as identified in the HEFCE publication documentation 'Students outside the Student Number Control in 2013-14 ABB+ population'.

From time to time funders introduce initiatives (for example Lifelong Learning Networks (LLNs) and Employer Engagement Co-funded Students) where, for a limited period, there is a requirement to track students who are recruited under the particular initiative.

In order to achieve this monitoring potential, a general purpose field will be added to the record, to which valid entries will be added to identify individual schemes as required.