This field denotes the units of length associated with Instance.SPLENGTH.

All instances.

Only in cases where Instance.SPLENGTH is null, unknown length, may this field be coded 9.

Semesters, trimesters and terms are not of uniform length throughout the sector and should be converted into years/months/weeks.

The lowest appropriate value of UNITLGTH should be used e.g. length should be expressed in terms of years, if appropriate, rather than months.

Foundation and sandwich years

It is not expected that the length of study be adjusted for individual students. However, where there are different options that students can take, for example, foundation years and sandwich placements, it is expected that the length reflects the options taken. For example, where a student undertakes an integrated foundation year it is normally expected that the length be recorded as one year longer than if the student had just taken a stand-alone degree.

To monitor the expected length of programmes and to determine whether a non-standard academic year student is counted or not in a given year. Used to determine the National Student Survey target list and to monitor changing course lengths.