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Standard Occupational Classification: SOC2020
SOC2020 will be adopted for the 2018/19 Graduate Outcomes survey and 2021/22 Unistats record.
The remaining HESA collections will adopt SOC2020 for the 2023/24 collections.
The remaining HESA collections will adopt SOC2020 for the 2023/24 collections.
Major group | Sub-major group | Minor group | Unit group (four digit)
Major group
- 1 Managers, directors and senior officials
- 2 Professional occupations
- 3 Associate professional occupations
- 4 Administrative and secretarial occupations
- 5 Skilled trades occupations
- 6 Caring, leisure and other service occupations
- 7 Sales and customer service occupations
- 8 Process, plant and machine operatives
- 9 Elementary occupations
Sub-major group
- 11 Corporate managers and directors
- 12 Other managers and proprietors
- 21 Science, research, engineering and technology professionals
- 22 Health professionals
- 23 Teaching and other educational professionals
- 24 Business, media and public service professionals
- 31 Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
- 32 Health and social care associate professionals
- 33 Protective service occupations
- 34 Culture, media and sports occupations
- 35 Business and public service associate professionals
- 41 Administrative occupations
- 42 Secretarial and related occupations
- 51 Skilled agricultural and related trades
- 52 Skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades
- 53 Skilled construction and building trades
- 54 Textiles, printing and other skilled trades
- 61 Caring personal service occupations
- 62 Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations
- 63 Community and civil enforcement occupations
- 71 Sales occupations
- 72 Customer service occupations
- 81 Process, plant and machine operatives
- 82 Transport and mobile machine drivers and operatives
- 91 Elementary trades and related occupations
- 92 Elementary administration and service occupations
Minor group
- 111 Chief Executives and Senior Officials
- 112 Production Managers and Directors
- 113 Functional Managers and Directors
- 114 Directors in Logistics, Warehousing and Transport
- 115 Managers and Directors in Retail and Wholesale
- 116 Senior Officers in Protective Services
- 117 Health and Social Services Managers and Directors
- 121 Managers and Proprietors in Agriculture Related Services
- 122 Managers and Proprietors in Hospitality and Leisure Services
- 123 Managers and Proprietors in Health and Care Services
- 124 Managers in Logistics, Warehousing and Transport
- 125 Managers and Proprietors in Other Services
- 211 Natural and Social Science Professionals
- 212 Engineering Professionals
- 213 Information Technology Professionals
- 214 Web and Multimedia Design Professionals
- 215 Conservation and Environment Professionals
- 216 Research and Development (R&D) and Other Research Professionals
- 221 Medical Practitioners
- 222 Therapy Professionals
- 223 Nursing Professionals
- 224 Veterinarians
- 225 Other Health Professionals
- 231 Teaching Professionals
- 232 Other Educational Professionals
- 241 Legal Professionals
- 242 Finance Professionals
- 243 Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
- 244 Business and Financial Project Management Professionals
- 245 Architects, Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers, Surveyors and Construction Professionals
- 246 Welfare Professionals
- 247 Librarians and Related Professionals
- 248 Quality and Regulatory Professionals
- 249 Media Professionals
- 311 Science, Engineering and Production Technicians
- 312 CAD, Drawing and Architectural Technicians
- 313 Information Technology Technicians
- 321 Health Associate Professionals
- 322 Welfare and Housing Associate Professionals
- 323 Teaching and Childcare Associate Professionals
- 324 Veterinary nurses
- 331 Protective Service Occupations
- 341 Artistic, Literary and Media Occupations
- 342 Design Occupations
- 343 Sports and Fitness Occupations
- 351 Transport Associate Professionals
- 352 Legal Associate Professionals
- 353 Finance Associate Professionals
- 354 Business Associate Professionals
- 355 Sales, Marketing and Related Associate Professionals
- 356 Public Services Associate Professionals
- 357 HR, Training and Other Vocational Associate Guidance Professionals
- 358 Regulatory Associate Professionals
- 411 Administrative Occupations: Government and Related Organisations
- 412 Administrative Occupations: Finance
- 413 Administrative Occupations: Records
- 414 Administrative Occupations: Office Managers and Supervisors
- 415 Other Administrative Occupations
- 421 Secretarial and Related Occupations
- 511 Agricultural and Related Trades
- 521 Metal Forming, Welding and Related Trades
- 522 Metal Machining, Fitting and Instrument Making Trades
- 523 Vehicle Trades
- 524 Electrical and Electronic Trades
- 525 Skilled Metal, Electrical and Electronic Trades Supervisors
- 531 Construction and Building Trades
- 532 Building Finishing Trades
- 533 Construction and Building Trades Supervisors
- 541 Textiles and Garments Trades
- 542 Printing Trades
- 543 Food Preparation and Hospitality Trades
- 544 Other Skilled Trades
- 611 Teaching and Childcare Support Occupations
- 612 Animal Care and Control Services
- 613 Caring Personal Services
- 621 Leisure and Travel Services
- 622 Hairdressers and Related Services
- 623 Housekeeping and Related Services
- 624 Cleaning and Housekeeping Managers and Supervisors
- 625 Bed and Breakfast and Guest House Owners and Proprietors
- 631 Community and Civil Enforcement Occupations
- 711 Sales Assistants and Retail Cashiers
- 712 Sales Related Occupations
- 713 Shopkeepers and Sales Supervisors
- 721 Customer Service Occupations
- 722 Customer Service Supervisors
- 811 Process Operatives
- 812 Metal Working Machine Operatives
- 813 Plant and Machine Operatives
- 814 Assemblers and Routine Operatives
- 815 Construction Operatives
- 816 Production, Factory and Assembly Supervisors
- 821 Road Transport Drivers
- 822 Mobile Machine Drivers and Operatives
- 823 Other Drivers and Transport Operatives
- 911 Elementary Agricultural Occupations
- 912 Elementary Construction Occupations
- 913 Elementary Process Plant Occupations
- 921 Elementary Administration Occupations
- 922 Elementary Cleaning Occupations
- 923 Elementary Security Occupations
- 924 Elementary Sales Occupations
- 925 Elementary Storage Occupations
- 926 Other Elementary Services Occupations
Unit group (four digit)
- 1111 Chief executives and senior officials
- 1112 Elected officers and representatives
- 1121 Production managers and directors in manufacturing
- 1122 Production managers and directors in construction
- 1123 Production managers and directors in mining and energy
- 1131 Financial managers and directors
- 1132 Marketing, sales and advertising directors
- 1133 Public relations and communications directors
- 1134 Purchasing managers and directors
- 1135 Charitable organisation managers and directors
- 1136 Human resource managers and directors
- 1137 Information technology directors
- 1139 Functional managers and directors n.e.c.
- 1140 Directors in logistics, warehousing and transport
- 1150 Managers and directors in retail and wholesale
- 1161 Officers in armed forces
- 1162 Senior police officers
- 1163 Senior officers in fire, ambulance, prison and related services
- 1171 Health services and public health managers and directors
- 1172 Social services managers and directors
- 1211 Managers and proprietors in agriculture and horticulture
- 1212 Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services
- 1221 Hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors
- 1222 Restaurant and catering establishment managers and proprietors
- 1223 Publicans and managers of licensed premises
- 1224 Leisure and sports managers
- 1225 Travel agency managers and proprietors
- 1231 Health care practice managers
- 1232 Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
- 1233 Early education and childcare services proprietors
- 1241 Managers in transport and distribution
- 1242 Managers in storage and warehousing
- 1243 Managers in logistics
- 1251 Property, housing and estate managers
- 1252 Garage managers and proprietors
- 1253 Hairdressing and beauty salon managers and proprietors
- 1254 Waste disposal and environmental services managers
- 1255 Managers and directors in the creative industries
- 1256 Betting shop and gambling establishment managers
- 1257 Hire services managers and proprietors
- 1258 Directors in consultancy services
- 1259 Managers and proprietors in other services n.e.c.
- 2111 Chemical scientists
- 2112 Biological scientists
- 2113 Biochemists and biomedical scientists
- 2114 Physical scientists
- 2115 Social and humanities scientists
- 2119 Natural and social science professionals n.e.c.
- 2121 Civil engineers
- 2122 Mechanical engineers
- 2123 Electrical engineers
- 2124 Electronics engineers
- 2125 Production and process engineers
- 2126 Aerospace engineers
- 2127 Engineering project managers and project engineers
- 2129 Engineering professionals n.e.c.
- 2131 IT project managers
- 2132 IT managers
- 2133 IT business analysts, architects and systems designers
- 2134 Programmers and software development professionals
- 2135 Cyber security professionals
- 2136 IT quality and testing professionals
- 2137 IT network professionals
- 2139 Information technology professionals n.e.c.
- 2141 Web design professionals
- 2142 Graphic and multimedia designers
- 2151 Conservation professionals
- 2152 Environment professionals
- 2161 Research and development (R&D) managers
- 2162 Other researchers, unspecified discipline
- 2211 Generalist medical practitioners
- 2212 Specialist medical practitioners
- 2221 Physiotherapists
- 2222 Occupational therapists
- 2223 Speech and language therapists
- 2224 Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists
- 2225 Clinical psychologists
- 2226 Other psychologists
- 2229 Therapy professionals n.e.c.
- 2231 Midwifery nurses
- 2232 Community nurses
- 2233 Specialist nurses
- 2234 Nurse practitioners
- 2235 Mental health nurses
- 2236 Children's nurses
- 2237 Other nursing professionals
- 2240 Veterinarians
- 2251 Pharmacists
- 2252 Optometrists
- 2253 Dental practitioners
- 2254 Medical radiographers
- 2255 Paramedics
- 2256 Podiatrists
- 2259 Other health professionals n.e.c.
- 2311 Higher education teaching professionals
- 2312 Further education teaching professionals
- 2313 Secondary education teaching professionals
- 2314 Primary education teaching professionals
- 2315 Nursery education teaching professionals
- 2316 Special needs education teaching professionals
- 2317 Teachers of English as a foreign language
- 2319 Teaching professionals n.e.c.
- 2321 Head teachers and principals
- 2322 Education managers
- 2323 Education advisers and school inspectors
- 2324 Early education and childcare services managers
- 2329 Other educational professionals n.e.c
- 2411 Barristers and judges
- 2412 Solicitors and lawyers
- 2419 Legal professionals n.e.c.
- 2421 Chartered and certified accountants
- 2422 Finance and investment analysts and advisers
- 2423 Taxation experts
- 2431 Management consultants and business analysts
- 2432 Marketing and commercial managers
- 2433 Actuaries, economists and statisticians
- 2434 Business and related research professionals
- 2435 Professional/Chartered company secretaries
- 2439 Business, research and administrative professionals n.e.c.
- 2440 Business and financial project management professionals
- 2451 Architects
- 2452 Chartered architectural technologists, planning officers and consultants
- 2453 Quantity surveyors
- 2454 Chartered surveyors
- 2455 Construction project managers and related professionals
- 2461 Social workers
- 2462 Probation officers
- 2463 Clergy
- 2464 Youth work professionals
- 2469 Welfare professionals n.e.c.
- 2471 Librarians
- 2472 Archivists and curators
- 2481 Quality control and planning engineers
- 2482 Quality assurance and regulatory professionals
- 2483 Environmental health professionals
- 2491 Newspaper and periodical editors
- 2492 Newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters
- 2493 Public relations professionals
- 2494 Advertising accounts managers and creative directors
- 3111 Laboratory technicians
- 3112 Electrical and electronics technicians
- 3113 Engineering technicians
- 3114 Building and civil engineering technicians
- 3115 Quality assurance technicians
- 3116 Planning, process and production technicians
- 3119 Science, engineering and production technicians n.e.c.
- 3120 CAD, drawing and architectural technicians
- 3131 IT operations technicians
- 3132 IT user support technicians
- 3133 Database administrators and web content technicians
- 3211 Dispensing opticians
- 3212 Pharmaceutical technicians
- 3213 Medical and dental technicians
- 3214 Complementary health associate professionals
- 3219 Health associate professionals n.e.c.
- 3221 Youth and community workers
- 3222 Child and early years officers
- 3223 Housing officers
- 3224 Counsellors
- 3229 Welfare and housing associate professionals n.e.c.
- 3231 Higher level teaching assistants
- 3232 Early education and childcare practitioners
- 3240 Veterinary nurses
- 3311 Non-commissioned officers and other ranks
- 3312 Police officers (sergeant and below)
- 3313 Fire service officers (watch manager and below)
- 3314 Prison service officers (below principal officer)
- 3319 Protective service associate professionals n.e.c.
- 3411 Artists
- 3412 Authors, writers and translators
- 3413 Actors, entertainers and presenters
- 3414 Dancers and choreographers
- 3415 Musicians
- 3416 Arts officers, producers and directors
- 3417 Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators
- 3421 Interior designers
- 3422 Clothing, fashion and accessories designers
- 3429 Design occupations n.e.c.
- 3431 Sports players
- 3432 Sports coaches, instructors and officials
- 3433 Fitness and wellbeing instructors
- 3511 Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers
- 3512 Ship and hovercraft officers
- 3520 Legal associate professionals
- 3531 Brokers
- 3532 Insurance underwriters
- 3533 Financial and accounting technicians
- 3534 Financial accounts managers
- 3541 Estimators, valuers and assessors
- 3542 Importers and exporters
- 3543 Project support officers
- 3544 Data analysts
- 3549 Business associate professionals n.e.c.
- 3551 Buyers and procurement officers
- 3552 Business sales executives
- 3553 Merchandisers
- 3554 Marketing associate professionals
- 3555 Estate agents and auctioneers
- 3556 Sales accounts and business development managers
- 3557 Events managers and organisers
- 3560 Public services associate professionals
- 3571 Human resources and industrial relations officers
- 3572 Careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists
- 3573 Information technology trainers
- 3574 Other vocational and industrial trainers
- 3581 Inspectors of standards and regulations
- 3582 Health and safety managers and officers
- 4111 National government administrative occupations
- 4112 Local government administrative occupations
- 4113 Officers of non-governmental organisations
- 4121 Credit controllers
- 4122 Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks
- 4123 Bank and post office clerks
- 4124 Finance officers
- 4129 Financial administrative occupations n.e.c.
- 4131 Records clerks and assistants
- 4132 Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants
- 4133 Stock control clerks and assistants
- 4134 Transport and distribution clerks and assistants
- 4135 Library clerks and assistants
- 4136 Human resources administrative occupations
- 4141 Office managers
- 4142 Office supervisors
- 4143 Customer service managers
- 4151 Sales administrators
- 4152 Data entry administrators
- 4159 Other administrative occupations n.e.c.
- 4211 Medical secretaries
- 4212 Legal secretaries
- 4213 School secretaries
- 4214 Company secretaries and administrators
- 4215 Personal assistants and other secretaries
- 4216 Receptionists
- 4217 Typists and related keyboard occupations
- 5111 Farmers
- 5112 Horticultural trades
- 5113 Gardeners and landscape gardeners
- 5114 Groundsmen and greenkeepers
- 5119 Agricultural and fishing trades n.e.c.
- 5211 Sheet metal workers
- 5212 Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations
- 5213 Welding trades
- 5214 Pipe fitters
- 5221 Metal machining setters and setter-operators
- 5222 Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out
- 5223 Metal working production and maintenance fitters
- 5224 Precision instrument makers and repairers
- 5225 Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers
- 5231 Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians
- 5232 Vehicle body builders and repairers
- 5233 Vehicle paint technicians
- 5234 Aircraft maintenance and related trades
- 5235 Boat and ship builders and repairers
- 5236 Rail and rolling stock builders and repairers
- 5241 Electricians and electrical fitters
- 5242 Telecoms and related network installers and repairers
- 5243 TV, video and audio servicers and repairers
- 5244 Computer system and equipment installers and servicers
- 5245 Security system installers and repairers
- 5246 Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers
- 5249 Electrical and electronic trades n.e.c.
- 5250 Skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades supervisors
- 5311 Steel erectors
- 5312 Stonemasons and related trades
- 5313 Bricklayers
- 5314 Roofers, roof tilers and slaters
- 5315 Plumbers & heating and ventilating installers and repairers
- 5316 Carpenters and joiners
- 5317 Glaziers, window fabricators and fitters
- 5319 Construction and building trades n.e.c.
- 5321 Plasterers
- 5322 Floorers and wall tilers
- 5323 Painters and decorators
- 5330 Construction and building trades supervisors
- 5411 Upholsterers
- 5412 Footwear and leather working trades
- 5413 Tailors and dressmakers
- 5419 Textiles, garments and related trades n.e.c.
- 5421 Pre-press technicians
- 5422 Printers
- 5423 Print finishing and binding workers
- 5431 Butchers
- 5432 Bakers and flour confectioners
- 5433 Fishmongers and poultry dressers
- 5434 Chefs
- 5435 Cooks
- 5436 Catering and bar managers
- 5441 Glass and ceramics makers, decorators and finishers
- 5442 Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers
- 5443 Florists
- 5449 Other skilled trades n.e.c.
- 6111 Early education and childcare assistants
- 6112 Teaching assistants
- 6113 Educational support assistants
- 6114 Childminders
- 6116 Nannies and au pairs
- 6117 Playworkers
- 6121 Pest control officers
- 6129 Animal care services occupations n.e.c.
- 6131 Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
- 6132 Ambulance staff (excluding paramedics)
- 6133 Dental nurses
- 6134 Houseparents and residential wardens
- 6135 Care workers and home carers
- 6136 Senior care workers
- 6137 Care escorts
- 6138 Undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants
- 6211 Sports and leisure assistants
- 6212 Travel agents
- 6213 Air travel assistants
- 6214 Rail travel assistants
- 6219 Leisure and travel service occupations n.e.c.
- 6221 Hairdressers and barbers
- 6222 Beauticians and related occupations
- 6231 Housekeepers and related occupations
- 6232 Caretakers
- 6240 Cleaning and housekeeping managers and supervisors
- 6250 Bed and breakfast and guest house owners and proprietors
- 6311 Police community support officers
- 6312 Parking and civil enforcement occupations
- 7111 Sales and retail assistants
- 7112 Retail cashiers and check-out operators
- 7113 Telephone salespersons
- 7114 Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants
- 7115 Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers
- 7121 Collector salespersons and credit agents
- 7122 Debt, rent and other cash collectors
- 7123 Roundspersons and van salespersons
- 7124 Market and street traders and assistants
- 7125 Visual merchandisers and related occupations
- 7129 Sales related occupations n.e.c.
- 7131 Shopkeepers and owners - retail and wholesale
- 7132 Sales supervisors - retail and wholesale
- 7211 Call and contact centre occupations
- 7212 Telephonists
- 7213 Communication operators
- 7214 Market research interviewers
- 7219 Customer service occupations n.e.c.
- 7220 Customer service supervisors
- 8111 Food, drink and tobacco process operatives
- 8112 Textile process operatives
- 8113 Chemical and related process operatives
- 8114 Plastics process operatives
- 8115 Metal making and treating process operatives
- 8119 Process operatives n.e.c.
- 8120 Metal working machine operatives
- 8131 Paper and wood machine operatives
- 8132 Mining and quarry workers and related operatives
- 8133 Energy plant operatives
- 8134 Water and sewerage plant operatives
- 8135 Printing machine assistants
- 8139 Plant and machine operatives n.e.c.
- 8141 Assemblers (electrical and electronic products)
- 8142 Assemblers (vehicles and metal goods)
- 8143 Routine inspectors and testers
- 8144 Weighers, graders and sorters
- 8145 Tyre, exhaust and windscreen fitters
- 8146 Sewing machinists
- 8149 Assemblers and routine operatives n.e.c.
- 8151 Scaffolders, stagers and riggers
- 8152 Road construction operatives
- 8153 Rail construction and maintenance operatives
- 8159 Construction operatives n.e.c.
- 8160 Production, factory and assembly supervisors
- 8211 Large goods vehicle drivers
- 8212 Bus and coach drivers
- 8213 Taxi and cab drivers and chauffeurs
- 8214 Delivery drivers and couriers
- 8215 Driving instructors
- 8219 Road transport drivers n.e.c.
- 8221 Crane drivers
- 8222 Fork-lift truck drivers
- 8229 Mobile machine drivers and operatives n.e.c.
- 8231 Train and tram drivers
- 8232 Marine and waterways transport operatives
- 8233 Air transport operatives
- 8234 Rail transport operatives
- 8239 Other drivers and transport operatives n.e.c.
- 9111 Farm workers
- 9112 Forestry and related workers
- 9119 Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations n.e.c.
- 9121 Groundworkers
- 9129 Elementary construction occupations n.e.c.
- 9131 Industrial cleaning process occupations
- 9132 Packers, bottlers, canners and fillers
- 9139 Elementary process plant occupations n.e.c.
- 9211 Postal workers, mail sorters and messengers
- 9219 Elementary administration occupations n.e.c.
- 9221 Window cleaners
- 9222 Street cleaners
- 9223 Cleaners and domestics
- 9224 Launderers, dry cleaners and pressers
- 9225 Refuse and salvage occupations
- 9226 Vehicle valeters and cleaners
- 9229 Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c.
- 9231 Security guards and related occupations
- 9232 School midday and crossing patrol occupations
- 9233 Exam invigilators
- 9241 Shelf fillers
- 9249 Elementary sales occupations n.e.c.
- 9251 Elementary storage supervisors
- 9252 Warehouse operatives
- 9253 Delivery operatives
- 9259 Elementary storage occupations n.e.c.
- 9261 Bar and catering supervisors
- 9262 Hospital porters
- 9263 Kitchen and catering assistants
- 9264 Waiters and waitresses
- 9265 Bar staff
- 9266 Coffee shop workers
- 9267 Leisure and theme park attendants
- 9269 Other elementary services occupations n.e.c.