Qualification category(QUALCAT)

All Qualification entities

Please note the valid entry codes are in alphabetical order.

This field collects the level and type of the qualification being returned.

Where a Course potentially leads to two or more qualifications, return the qualification that is the highest level.

Please note the valid entry codes are in alphabetical order. 

This field collects the level and type of the qualification being returned. 

Where a Course potentially leads to two or more qualifications, return the qualification that is the highest level. 

Overall framework and alignment with existing frameworks 

The first character of the valid entries in the coding frame indicate the level of the qualification. The table below shows how these levels map to the following qualifications frameworks: 

• CQFW: Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales 
• FHEQ: Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (QAA framework) 
• OfS: The OfS sector-recognised standards (in England) 
• SCQF: Scottish Credit and Qualification framework

Guidance on specific valid entries

M0002 Integrated undergraduate/postgraduate masters degree on the enhanced/extended pattern

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).

M0006 Post-experience taught Masters degree

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 code simply because a qualification is being taken post-experience.

M0007 Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Use this code rather than M0006 for post-experience MBA.

H0003 UK first degree with honours

This could be an MA in Scotland

P0002

Valid entries at HESA level P should only be returned for qualifications being awarded to students where they have been awarded an FE level qualification having aimed for an HE level qualification. Students aiming for FE qualifications only are not within the coverage for the HESA Student Return.

Research based higher degree

A research-based higher degree is a postgraduate programme comprising a research component (including a requirement to produce original work) that is larger than any accompanying taught component when measured by student effort. The arrangements for assuring and maintaining the academic standards and enhancing the quality of these programmes should be fully compliant with chapter B11 (Research degrees) of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education's 'UK Quality Code for Higher Education'.

Some specialist doctoral degrees, such as Doctor of Education (EdD) and Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsychol), may include a research component but also include significant taught components and supervised practice. These degrees do not generally require the student to produce the same amount of original research as a PhD. Students registered for a specialist doctoral degree should only be included as research students if they satisfy both criteria of having a larger research element than taught and compliance with chapter B11 in the above referenced document.

It is common for students to follow a 1+3 pattern to their study, where the first year is a masters level and then a 3-year PhD. However, if the student is intending to study the PhD from the outset so it forms one coherent engagement of study, the level D qualification should be returned for all years.

Where a student is studying a research based higher degree at level L (L0000) and the programme allows progression to a PhD but the qualification outcome is not yet known, this field should record the current level of study with the intended final level of study (D or L).

For example, for a programme described as "MPhil with possibility to transfer to PhD" where the normal pattern is that they will progress to a PhD, providers should return the following:

Year 1: QUALCAT = L0000, STUDYINTENTION = D0003

Year 2-4: QUALCAT = D0003

Access and Pathway codes

Codes C0009, J0012, H0019, M0023 and E0004 can only be used by Tier 4/Pathway providers.

Architecture courses

Specific codes should be used for courses leading to registration with the Architects Registration Board. Use code H0003 for Part 1 (even if your assessment of the course is that it is at another level, such as level I). For parts 2 and 3, use the appropriate code to indicate the level of course as assessed by the provider (H0016 or M0021). For integrated courses that span parts 1 and 2, use code M0002. 

For providers in England, where students on Part 2 are subject to different student support regimes, two separate courses must be returned.