This field details the type of aim recorded.

All instances at providers in England where Instance.FESTUMK = 1, 3 or 4 and Instance.REDUCEDI = 00 or 01.

Apprenticeship programmes

All Apprenticeship programmes must have a programme aim with an Aim Type of code 1.

Code 3 'Component learning aim within a programme' should be used for all learning aims within an Apprenticeship programme such as the competency based element, knowledge based element and functional skills learning aims.

Details of whether a qualification is the competency or knowledge element of an Apprenticeship framework are held in LARS.

There should only be one competency based aim at any one time in an Apprenticeship programme.

Traineeship programmes

From 2014 to 2015, all Traineeship programmes must have a programme aim with an AIMTYPE of code 1.

A programme aim record must be added for all Traineeships that are continuing from this reporting period to the next.

Code 3, Component learning aim within a programme, must be used for all learning aims within a Traineeship programme, unless it is a core aim.

If the programme is EFA funded, one learning aim will need to be identified as a core aim using code 5, Core aim.

Learning aims that are part of Traineeship programme that started prior to the 2014/15 reporting period must be changed from Aim type code 4 to Aim type 3 (or 5 if applicable).

Refer to the Provider support manual for more information about recording Traineeships for continuing learners.

14-19 Diploma programmes

Code 3 'Component learning aim within a programme' should be used within other programmes, such as Diplomas.

Code 5 'Core aim – EFA funded learning aims only' will need to be used for one learning aim within EFA funded Diplomas. This will need to be applied to all continuing students. The core aim should be recorded as per the guidance set out below. The programme aim cannot be recorded as the core aim.

Other EFA funded programmes (not Traineeships or 14-19 Diplomas)

All EFA funded study programmes must have a core aim. This is recorded using AIMTYPE code 5. The core aim is the substantive learning aim being undertaken in a student’s programme of study. Please refer to the EFA funding documentation for further information about the core aim.

Learning aims that are not part of a Traineeship or 14-19 Diploma programme are recorded using AIMTYPE 4.

A programme aim is not recorded for an EFA funded study programme unless it is a Traineeship or 14-19 Diploma.

For academic study programmes, if the student's qualifications are of the same size, for example 3 A levels, the provider must assign one of these qualifications as the core aim.

Should a student withdraw from the core aim, the core aim should only be reassigned where the new core aim is clearly demonstrable to be a substantial and core component of the student's study programme. If an alternative aim that meets these criteria cannot be identified, the withdrawn aim should remain as the core aim.

For academic study programmes where all aims within the programme are of equal size there is no requirement to select another core aim should a student withdraw from the original core aim. Please refer to the EFA funding documentation for a definition of academic and vocational programmes.

It is expected that providers will be able to identify the substantive learning aim for the learner at the start of their study programme. It the core aim is unknown by the end of the funding qualifying period, then another aim should be designated as core until the substantive learning aim is decided upon and record. The aim type should then be re-assigned. The core aim must be finalised by the end of the teaching year.

All students with EFA funded learning aims must have one learning aim with Instance.AIMTYPE = 5 'Core aim – EFA funded learning aims only'.

To differentiate between programme aims, Education Funding Agency funded core aims, component learning aims within a programme and learning aims that are not part of a designated programme (as defined in the Programme type field).