This field indicates the method by which a student is being taught their course.

All instances.

Where a student has changed their mode of study within the reporting period, the record should show the current or latest position. Instance.MODE would continue to reflect the mode of study prior to suspension. If a change in MODE occurs in the student’s first year on the instance, the change must be recorded and two Instance Period records will be required; one reflecting the initial mode and the second the new mode of study. For example, a student commences the first year of a two year HND on a full-time mode of study. In January they elect to study the remainder of the programme on a part-time basis. The academic year runs from September to June. As the mode of study has changed in the student’s first year, two instance periods would be returned for that reporting year:

The InstancePeriod.STULOAD is reduced to reflect the change in intensity in the second instance period and the fee information must not be double counted.

Where a student suspends studies the InstancePeriod.NOTACT field must be completed.

Full-time

With reference to code 01, the definition of full-time is that course years must involve a minimum of 24 weeks study. HESA will apply the 24 week rule to its definition of full-time in publications i.e. full-time will be all those students coded 01 in this field, together with all those students coded 02 and whose expected length of study (fields Instance.SPLENGTH and Instance.UNITLGTH) is 24 weeks or more.

Sandwich

With reference to codes 23 and 24, these programmes are covered by the definition of sandwich under the award regulations as set out by HEFCE. Years of instance must involve a minimum of 24 weeks study/placement. HESA's definition of sandwich students will be all those students coded 23 or 24 in this field, together with all those students coded 25 and whose expected length of study (fields Instance.SPLENGTH and Instance.UNITLGTH) is 24 weeks or more.

Code 23, Thick sandwich students are those for which an industrial (or other) placement causes a continuous absence from full-time study of at least one academic year. A record must be returned for every student enrolled on a sandwich course irrespective of whether they are in attendance at the provider or engaged in industrial (or other) training. Students should be coded as sandwich for every year of the course and not just those in which industrial (or other) experience takes place. The students who are actually out on placement can be identified via InstancePeriod.LOCSDY.

InstancePeriod.LOCSDY valid entries (students in UK):

• D On industrial (or other) placement for the year as a whole
• E On industrial (or other) placement for a proportion of the year

InstancePeriod.LOCSDY valid entries (students abroad):

• T Abroad for the whole year
• U Abroad for a proportion of the year

Code 24, A thin sandwich must involve the student in an average of more than 21 hours study a week for a minimum of 24 weeks study/placement.

Students who meet the definition of sandwich should be coded as either 23 or 24 irrespective of whether the year is spent abroad or whether it is optional/compulsory.

To allow standard populations to be defined and financial calculations made.