Skip to main content

Alternative provider student 2016/17 - General qualification aim of course

Back to C16054

Alternative provider student 2016/17

Fields required from institutions in All fields

General qualification aim of course


return to field list

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 Scotland
Coverage

All courses.

Valid entries and labels
CodeLabel
M00Masters degree obtained typically by a combination of coursework and thesis/dissertation, that does not meet the criteria for a research-based higher degree
M01Taught masters degree designed specifically as a training in research methods and intended as a preparation for a research-based higher degree
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
M28Integrated undergraduate/postgraduate taught masters degree on the enhanced/extended pattern leading towards registration with the Architects Registration Board (Part 1 and Part 2 qualification)
M71Postgraduate Certificate in Education or Professional Graduate Diploma in Education
M73Postgraduate Diploma in Education
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
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
H62Pre-registration graduate diploma/certificate leading towards obtaining eligibility to register to practice with a health or social care or veterinary statutory regulatory body
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
I78Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET)
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
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 the 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 - Masters 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- Bachelors 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 Bachelors 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.

Additional guidance on specific codes:

M01 Taught Masters degree designed specifically as a training in research methods and intended as a preparation for a research-based higher degree.

Use this code only for MRes degrees and similar.

M02 Masters in Teaching and Learning

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

M10 Post-experience taught Masters degree

For example, MEd. '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 Masters 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 or M28 are not applicable.

M26 Integrated undergraduate/postgraduate taught Masters 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.

M28 Integrated undergraduate/postgraduate taught masters degree on the enhanced/extended pattern leading towards registration with the Architects Registration Board (Part 1 and Part 2 qualification)

This code should be used for programmes of study that integrate both of the Part 1 and Part 2 qualifications. Programmes of study that lead only to eligibility to register as Part 1 should use 'H18 First degree with honours leading towards registration with the Architects Registration Board (Part 1 qualification)'. Programmes that lead only to eligibility to register as Part 2 should use 'M88 Taught 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)'.

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

See H71 for Professional Graduate Certificate in Education. See Statement on the PGCE Qualification. Postgraduate Diplomas in Education are distinct fom M71 and should be coded as M73.

M73 Postgraduate Diploma in Education

This code is distinct from either the M71 Postgraduate Certificate in Education / Professional Graduate Diploma in Education, and from the H71 Professional Graduate Certificate in Education. It is not considered to be a PGCE. See Statement on the PGCE Qualification.

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 has 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. Providers offering courses leading to eligibility to register to practice with a social care statutory regulatory body should return regulatory body information in Course.REGBODY irrespective of the code used in this field.

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.

Other guidance

The General qualification aim of course should be consistent with funding council Early Statistics (HEAPES).

Higher bachelors degrees at undergraduate level should be coded H50.

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

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.

Certificate in Further Education should be coded 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.

Students entering with enhanced first degrees, that is qualifications that would be coded H22/M22/M26/M28 in the COURSEAIM field, should be recorded as having M2X in EntryProfile.QUALENT3. Enhanced first degree programmes typically include study equivalent to at least four years full-time, of which study equivalent to at least one full-time academic year is at masters level. Study at bachelor's level is integrated with study at master's level.

Examples

To allow analysis of the student population by specific qualification aims beyond broad level descriptors. Used in a wide variety of calculations and analyses.

Quality rules
Quality rules to follow
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
Related fields
OwnerHESA
Version1.0
Date modified2016-09-01
Change management notesNew valid entries I78, M00, M01, M02, M10, M11, M16 and M73 added to the field to allow for coding of the taught Masters courses now within coverage of the record, and to allow for better coding of existing qualifications. Guidance associated with M00, M01, M10, M11 and M73 added to the Notes section.

Contact Liaison by email or on +44 (0)1242 388 531.