Higher Education Classification of Subjects (HECoS)

Each programme and module at the University is classified with one or more subject codes. These are used to classify the academic subject of study of each module or programme.

Currently the HE sector uses the JACS (the Joint Academic Coding System) which is maintained by HESA.

From academic year 2019/20 a new subject coding system - the Higher Education Classification of Subjects (HECoS) will be used. This has been developed to replace the JACS system.

The HECoS coding frame consists of a single list of subjects each with randomly generated code identifiers.

HECoS has been developed independently from JACS with no direct mapping between the two coding frames however a Common Aggregation Hierarchy has been developed to enable initial comparison between the two coding frames. For more information see Common Aggregation Hierarchy below.

The HECos coding frame has been developed to allow more accurate programme, module and qualification categorisation. The move could also mean that some programmes will have moved to a different subject category and therefore may appear in different subject categories in aggregated datasets and reports (NSS and LEO data for example).

A list of HECoS codes can be downloaded from the HESA website here: HECoS Vocabulary [note: this link will download an excel spreadsheet].

Whilst HECoS allows wider opportunity and more detail to describe a programme, module or qualification it should be noted that HESA advise to be economical with subject coding and that exhaustive subject coding does not guarantee clarity.

Source: HECoS Implementation Guide

HECoS Subject codes need to be entered against Programmes, Modules and Qualifications.

HESA guidelines state:

• For each Programme at least 1 and no more than 5 codes that can be allocated.The course subject(s) should represent directly, or relate very closely to, the Qualification subject(s) associated with specific deliveries of that course.
• For each Module at least 1 and no more than 3 codes that can be allocated.The module subject(s) must represent the subject(s) taught in the module, and should represent directly, or relate very closely to, the Module Title.
• For each Qualification the number of codes that can be allocated is as follows: 0 or at least 1 and no more than 5.It would be expected that there will be at least 1 subject allocated for each exit qualification.The qualification subject(s) must represent directly, or relate very closely to, the wording on the qualification's official certificate of award. More than three qualification subjects would generally be regarded as exceptional.Entry qualifications (i.e. FE qualifications) are not encompassed by HECoS and therefore would not have a subject allocation.

Subject proportions and weighting

Each subject code is given an indicator to describe the proportion of contribution of each subject to the programme, module or qualification.

This value is a broad representation of the contributions of each subject and is expressed as a percentage (and so the total proportion of HECoS codes must equal 100%).

A value of under 5% should not be returned.

A Common Aggregation Hierarchy (CAH) has been developed to provide standard groupings that can be applied to both HECoS and JACS subjects allowing for consistent analysis across both coding frames.

These aggregations have been developed to allow continuity in initial analysis between JACS and HECoS.

The CAH details can be found here: HECos Common Aggregation Hierarchy [note: this link will download an excel spreadsheet].

Allocation of codes for ITT

HESA and the DfE have produced a mapping document for providers to use to determine which HECoS codes need to be allocated to their ITT courses:

This document opens as an Excel spreadsheet: ITT Allocated HECoS Codes

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will be following HESA and UCAS and using 2019/20 as the adoption point for the HECoS coding frame.

This means that ATAS applications from January 2019 will be made on the basis of HECoS coding.

More information about ATAS can be found here: Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

HECoS and the Student Loans' Company (SLC)

The Student Loans Company (SLC) will adopt HECoS from the academic year 2019/20, in line with UCAS and other bodies.

Interdisciplinary Programmes

Interdisciplinary programmes can be classified using one or more of the following codes:

• (100392) applied science
• (101273) combined studies
• (101274) general studies
• (100314) humanities
• (101288) international studies
• (100391) natural sciences
• (101275) negotiated studies
• (101276) work placement experience (personal learning)

JACS - Joint Academic Coding System - method of classifying academic subjects and modules.
https://www.hesa.ac.uk/support/documentation/jacs

HECoS - Higher Education Classification of Subjects
https://www.hesa.ac.uk/innovation/hecos
Full list of HECoS Vocabulary:
https://www.hesa.ac.uk/files/HECoS-Vocabulary_2016-07-28.xlsx?newest

CAH - Common Aggregation Hierarchy
https://www.hesa.ac.uk/files/HECoS-CAH%20Version%201.2.xlsx

ITT - Initial Teacher Training
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/initial-teacher-training

ATAS - Academic Approval
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme

LEO - Longitudinal Education Outcomes

HESA - Higher Education Statistics Agency.
HESA collect, process, and publish data about higher education (HE) in the UK.