MDW - Discover Metadata Catalogue

MDW Discover  > Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) @ 1863

MDW Discover

Browse All

London SDE

West Midlands SDE

Kent, Medway & Sussex SDE

MDW - Discover

UCAS data for Wales which covers state funded learning centres.

HDR UK

Welsh Government

The acceptance route with the following values attached to placed applications. Firm Choice: where the applicant has been accepted to their first choice. Insurance choice: where the applicant has been accepted to their second choice.  Main Scheme Clearing: where an applicant was unsuccessful in the main scheme (i.e. applied before 30 June) and subsequently found a place using Clearing. Direct Clearing: where the applicant has applied via Clearing without an initial application through the main scheme. Adjustment: where applicants who have met and exceeded the conditions of their firm choice choose to take up an alternative offer - introduced in 2009. Extra: where applicants who held no offers after using all of their main scheme choices, make additional choices. RPA: where an application is submitted to UCAS by an institution when an unconditional firm has already been offered and accepted by the applicant. Please note: ‘Insurance choice’ and ‘Firm choice’ values are based on the applicant’s response to an offer as-at June deadline. There are 10,000 to 20,000 acceptances to a main scheme choice each year where the applicant has not responded, or is awaiting an offer, by June deadline. These acceptances are classified as ‘Other Main Scheme Choice’.

ACCEPTANCE_ROUTE

UCAS_SAIL_ATTRIBUTES

One-digit code specifying the route through which an applicant was accepted onto a course.

ACCEPTANCE_ROUTE_CODE

Flag indicating whether applicant was accepted on any of their applications in an application cycle.

ACCEPT_FLAG

Derived from date of birth declared by the applicant, age is aligned with the cut off points for school/college cohorts within the different administrations of the UK. For England and Wales ages are defined on the 31 August, for Northern Ireland on the 1 July and for Scotland on the 28 February the following year. Defining ages in this way matches the assignment of children to school cohorts. For applicants outside of the UK the cohort cut off for England and Wales has been used. Please note: some applicants have listed their age as 0 or similar.

APPLICANT_AGE

One-character code specifying disability as declared by the applicant.

APPLICANT_DISABILITY_CODE

Applicant’s area of permanent residence summarised to UK and global regions. This variable is derived from domicile as declared by the applicant on application. Split by the following values if domiciled in the UK: ‘England’, ‘Northern Ireland’, ‘Scotland’, ‘Wales’. Classified as ‘Overseas’ otherwise.

APPLICANT_DOMICILE

Three-digit code specifying an applicant’s area of permanent residence.

APPLICANT_DOMICILE_CODE

Applicant’s area of permanent residence. This variable is derived from domicile as declared by the applicant on application. Split by individual country. Please note: The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are considered outside the UK, and are therefore classified separately.

APPLICANT_DOMICILE_NAMED_COUNTRY

Two-digit code specifying ethnic origin as declared by the applicant.

APPLICANT_ETHNIC_GROUP_CODE

APPLICANT_FLAG

One-character code specifying gender as declared by the applicant.

APPLICANT_GENDER_CODE

Applicant identifier that is unique to each applicant (can be used to link between cycles).

APPLICANT_ID_E

One-digit code specifying Indices of multiple deprivation quintile.

APPLICANT_IMD_CODE

One-digit code specifying POLAR3 Quintile.

APPLICANT_POLAR3_CODE

One-digit code specifying POLAR4 Quintile.

APPLICANT_POLAR4_CODE

Applicant’s UK region. This variable is linked by home postcode as declared by the applicant on application. Split by the following values if domiciled in the UK: values if domiciled in the UK: ‘North East’, ‘Yorkshire and The Humber’, ‘North West’, ‘East Midlands’, ‘West Midlands’, ‘East of England’, ‘London’, ‘South East’, ‘South West’, ‘Wales’, ‘Northern Ireland’, ‘Scotland’, ‘Unknown’. Classified as ‘Overseas’ otherwise.

APPLICANT_REGION

One-digit code specifying socio-economic group 2000 as declared by the applicant.

APPLICANT_SOCIOECON2000_CODE

One-digit code specifying socio-economic group 2010 as declared by the applicant.

APPLICANT_SOCIOECON2010_CODE

One-character code specifying an applicant’s UK region, linked by UCAS onto the home postcode declared by each applicant.

APPLICANT_UK_REGION_CODE

Cycle in which the applicant made their application.

APPLICATION_CYCLE

The date at which the applicant first applied in the application cycle.

APPLICATION_DATE

APPLICATION_FLAG

The route through which an application was made. Main scheme: where the application was made before the June 30 deadline. Adjustment: where applicants who have met and exceeded the conditions of their firm choice choose to take up an alternative offer. Clearing: where an applicant either applied through main scheme clearing, after an applicant was unsuccessful in the main scheme, or direct to clearing, where the applicant has applied via Clearing without an initial application through the main scheme. Extra: where applicants who held no offers after using all of their main scheme choices, make additional choices. RPA: where an application is submitted to UCAS by an institution when an unconditional firm has already been offered and accepted by the applicant.

APPLICATION_ROUTE

One-digit code specifying route of application.

APPLICATION_ROUTE_CODE

The applicant response at the June 30 deadline with the following values attached to applications: Firm, Insurance, Declined by default, Declined, Cancelled. Where no reply has been made for an application, the applicant reply will be reported as missing.

APP_RESPONSE_JUNE30

AVAIL_FROM_DT

Flag indicating whether application received a conditional unconditional offer. Conditional unconditional offers are offers which are conditional at the point of offer, and adjusted by the provider from conditional to unconditional if selected as an applicant’s firm choice. These are identified in the admissions system through free text fields providers can use to communicate any additional information to applicants. Only calculated for applications considered in UCAS’ 2019 unconditional offer making analysis.

CONDITIONAL_UNCONDITIONAL_OFFER_FLAG

A combination of provider and course code.

COURSE_IDENTIFIER

A combination of provider and course code. Reported as it appeared on the application at the June 30 deadline.

COURSE_IDENTIFIER_JUNE30_DEADLINE

DETAILED_SUBJECT_GROUP_NAME

Flag indicating whether application received a direct unconditional offer. Direct unconditional offers are offers which are unconditional at the point of offer. Only calculated for applications considered in UCAS’ 2019 unconditional offer making analysis.

DIRECT_UNCONDITIONAL_OFFER_FLAG

Disability as declared by the applicant by selecting from a list of available options.

DISABILITY

The academic year in which the course selected by the applicant starts. For courses starting between August and December the academic year is defined as starting in that year (I.e. for courses starting in August 2013 the entry year will be 2013.) For any courses starting earlier than September the academic year is defined as starting in the previous year. (I.e. for courses starting in January 2013 the entry year will be 2012 despite the course starting during the 2013 application cycle.) Please note: In each application cycle there are a small number of applications that are deferred for two years.

ENTRY_YEAR

Academic year in which course selected by applicant starts.

ENTRY_YEAR_CODE

Low level grouping of ethnic origin as declared by the applicant: ‘White’, ‘Black – Caribbean’, ‘Black – African’, ‘Black - Other Black background’, ‘Asian – Indian’, ‘Asian – Pakistani’, ‘Asian – Bangladeshi’, ‘Asian – Chinese’,  ‘Asian - Other Asian background’,  ‘Mixed - White and Black Caribbean’, ‘Mixed - White and Black African’, ‘Mixed - White and Asian’, ‘Mixed - Other mixed background’,  ‘Other ethnic background’, ‘Unknown or Prefer Not To Say. Please note: Ethnic origin is captured for UK domiciled applicants only, therefore all non UK domiciled applicants are assigned as ‘Unknown or Prefer Not To Say’.

ETHNIC_GROUP_DETAILED

High level grouping of ethnic origin as declared by the applicant: ‘White’, ‘Black’, ‘Asian’, ‘Mixed’, ‘Other’, ‘Unknown or Prefer Not To Say’. Please note: Ethnic origin is captured for UK domiciled applicants only, therefore all non UK domiciled applicants are assigned as ‘Unknown or Prefer Not To Say’.

ETHNIC_GROUP_SUMMARY

GENDER

GRADE

School aligned age grouped into the following: ’17 and under’, ‘18’, ‘19’, ‘20’, ’20-24’, ’25-29’, ’30-34’, ’35 and over’.

GROUPED_SCHOOL_ALIGNED_AGE

Three character code unique to each Higher Education Provider. This is a mapped view of the Higher Education Provider as-at 2019. In the interest of keeping a consistent time series the HEP displayed is mapped from a previous HEP if a merger has occurred or the HEP has been renamed. E.g. In 2013 HEPs K05 and H50 merged, so all instances of H50 prior to 2013 will be reported as K05.

HEP_CODE

Three character code unique to each Higher Education Provider. Reported as it appeared on the application at the June 30 deadline. This is a mapped view of the Higher Education Provider as-at 2019. In the interest of keeping a consistent time series the HEP displayed is mapped from a previous HEP if a merger has occurred or the HEP has been renamed. E.g. In 2013 HEPs K05 and H50 merged, so all instances of H50 prior to 2013 will be reported as K05.

HE_PROVIDER_CODE_JUNE30

HE_PROVIDER_NAME

The grouping of HE providers based on the average levels of attainment of their accepted applicants (summarised through UCAS Tariff points) in a period of application cycles spanning from 2004 to 2011. Each group of providers accounted for around a third of all UK 18 year old acceptances in these cycles. Split by the following values: ‘Highe tariff’, ‘Medium tariff’, ‘Lower tariff’.

HE_PROVIDER_TARIFF_GROUP

The UK region in which the provider is situated. Split by the following values: ‘North East’, ‘Yorkshire and The Humber’, ‘North West’, ‘East Midlands’, ‘West Midlands’, ‘East of England’, ‘London’, ‘South East’, ‘South West’, ‘Wales’, ‘Northern Ireland’, ‘Scotland’, ‘Overseas’. If the region of a provider has changed, the most recent region is reported.

HE_PROVIDER_UK_REGION

Applicant’s area of permanent residence summarised to UK and global regions. This variable is derived from domicile as declared by the applicant on application. Split by the following values if domiciled in the UK: ‘England’, ‘Northern Ireland’, ‘Scotland’, ‘Wales’. Split by the following regions if Non UK: ‘EU (excluding UK)’, ‘Not EU’. Please note: The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are assigned as ‘Not EU’.

HIGHER_LEVEL_APPLICANT_DOMICILE

The IMD variable differs depending on the applicant domicile: For England domiciled applicants, IMD relates to Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019. 
For Northern Irish domiciled applicants, IMD relates to the Northern Irish Multiple Deprivation Measure 2017. For Scottish domiciled applicants, IMD relates to Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2012/2016. For Welsh domiciled applicants, IMD relates to Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2014.

Two character code that classifies courses into a detailed level of 215 subjects. Each course is assigned up to three valid JACS3 subject codes (e.g. G100 – Mathematics) and a course balance indicator by UCAS, which are available for review by the provider. The course is assigned a subject based on these JACS3 subject codes and balance indicator, it largely correlates to the first two characters of the subject codes. Where there are more than one JACS3 subject codes for a given course, and the balance indicator is dual or triple, the first two characters of each subject code are reported in combination to a relevant category (e.g. Course with dual balance indicator with JACS3 subject codes L370 = Social Theory and M900 = Others in Law is assigned a subject ‘Y Combs of soc studies/law’). Please note: Between 2007 and 2011 the subject codes assigned to each course were from the JACS2.0 classification, therefore JACS3 versions of the subject categories have been approximated for 2007 to 2011 to allow a consistent time series. Also, since the 2019 application cycle, JACS3 versions of the subject categories have been approximated, after the discontinuation of the JACS subject grouping system

JACS3_SUB_LINE_CODE

Two character code that classifies courses into a detailed level of 215 subjects. Each course is assigned up to three valid JACS3 subject codes (e.g. G100 – Mathematics) and a course balance indicator by UCAS, which are available for review by the provider. The course is assigned a subject based on these JACS3 subject codes and balance indicator, it largely correlates to the first two characters of the subject codes. Where there are more than one JACS3 subject codes for a given course, and the balance indicator is dual or triple, the first two characters of each subject code are reported in combination to a relevant category (e.g. Course with dual balance indicator with JACS3 subject codes L370 = Social Theory and M900 = Others in Law is assigned a subject ‘Y Combs of soc studies/law’). Please note: Between 2007 and 2011 the subject codes assigned to each course were from the JACS2.0 classification, therefore JACS3 versions of the subject categories have been approximated for 2007 to 2011 to allow a consistent time series. Also, since the 2019 application cycle, JACS3 versions of the subject categories have been approximated, after the discontinuation of the JACS subject grouping system. Reported as it appeared on the application at the June 30 deadline

JACS3_SUB_LINE_JUNE30_CODE

Code specifying applicant response to decision made by a Higher Education Provider. Responses reported as they appeared on the application at the June 30 deadline..

JUNE30_APP_RESPONSE_CODE

Code specifying decision made by Higher Education Provider in response to an application. Decisions reported as they appeared on the application at the June 30 deadline.

JUNE30_HEP_DECISION_CODE

Flag indicating whether the application was made before the June 30 application deadline. This is the final date by which an applicant can submit up to five applications to study on a course of higher education. Applicants who apply after this date go directly into Clearing. Please note that some applicants may apply and have their application withdrawn prior to the June 30 deadline, before having their application reinstated. These applications are considered as main scheme applications, but variables reported at the June 30 deadline will not be present (eg. June 30 Higher Education Provider code).

MAIN_SCHEME_APPLICATION_FLAG

Flag indicating whether application received an other unconditional offer. Other unconditional offers are offers which are conditional at the point of offer and become unconditional on or before June 30 – the final date on which main scheme applications can be submitted, and are not identified as a conditional unconditional offer. Only calculated for applications considered in UCAS’ 2019 unconditional offer making analysis.

OTHER_UNCONDITIONAL_OFFER_FLAG

Developed by HEFCE, POLAR3 classifies small areas across the UK into five groups according to their level of young participation in Higher Education. Each of these groups represents around 20 per cent of young people and is ranked from Quintile 1 (areas with the lowest young participation rates, considered as the most disadvantaged) to Quintile 5 (highest young participation rates, considered most advantaged). POLAR3 is based on the participation rates of young people between 2005 and 2009, who entered HE between 2005-06 and 2010-11 academic years. These groups are assigned using the postcode declared by the applicant. If a postcode is invalid, considered unsafe for measurement or there is no link to Census geography possible then the applicant is classified as ‘Unknown’. Please note: POLAR3 is only available for applicants domiciled in the UK, therefore any applicants domiciled outside of the UK are classified as ‘Unknown’. Also, although POLAR3 is available for applicants of all ages, it is recommended/most suitable for analysis of applicants aged 19 and under.

POLAR3_QUINTILE

Developed by HEFCE, POLAR4 classifies small areas across the UK into five groups according to their level of young participation in Higher Education. Each of these groups represents around 20 per cent of young people and is ranked from Quintile 1 (areas with the lowest young participation rates, considered as the most disadvantaged) to Quintile 5 (highest young participation rates, considered most advantaged). POLAR4 is based on the participation rates of young people between 2009 and 2014, who entered HE between 2009-10 and 2014-15 academic years. These groups are assigned using the postcode declared by the applicant. If a postcode is invalid, considered unsafe for measurement or there is no link to Census geography possible then the applicant is classified as ‘Unknown’. Please note: POLAR4 is only relevant for applicants domiciled in the UK, therefore any applicants outside of this cohort are classified as ‘Unknown’. Also, although POLAR4 is available for applicants of all ages, it is recommended/most suitable for analysis of applicants aged 19 and under.

POLAR4_QUINTILE

The provider decision at the June 30 deadline with the following values attached to applications: Conditional offer, Invited for interview, Decision pending, Unconditional offer, Unconditional course change, Rejected, Rejected by default, Course full, Application withdrawn, Provider yet to receive application (new application). Where no decision has been made for an application, the decision will be reported as missing.

PROVIDER_DECISION_JUNE30

Description of the type of qualification as declared by applicant during application. For example ‘GCE Advanced Level’. If no qualification description is provided during application, the value will be missing.

QUALIFICATION_DESCRIPTION

Status of the qualification as declared by the applicant during application. For example ‘Pending’, ‘Gained’.

QUALIFICATION_STATUS

Year in which the applicant took the qualification.

QUALIFICATION_YEAR

The National Statistics Socio-economic Classification (NS-SEC) is an occupationally based system used to classify the adult population. The applicant is asked: ‘If you are in full-time education, please state the occupation of the highest-earning family member of the household in which you live. If he or she is retired or unemployed, give their most recent occupation. If you are not in full-time education, please state just your own occupation’.  The applicant may then choose from 28,000 ONS job descriptions. These job descriptions are then mapped to 8 Socio-Economic Group codes via a lower level set of around 380 ‘2010 SOC Codes’. The response is captured for UK domiciled applicants only, therefore all non UK domiciled applicants are assigned as ‘Not classified / unknown’. Please note that, although the same 8 Socio-Economic Group codes are displayed in the Socio-economic group 2000 variable available from 2004-2014, occupations are mapped via a different set of ‘2000 SOC Codes’. Therefore, some job descriptions are mapped to different Socio-Economic Group values.

SOCIOECON_GROUP2010

SUBJECT_GROUP_NAME

SUBJECT_TITLE

Flag indicating whether an application was used as part of UCAS’ 2019 end of cycle unconditional offer making analysis (only applications in the mainscheme made by English, Northern Irish and Welsh 18-year olds since the 2013 application cycle were considered).

UCAS_UNCONDITIONAL_OFFER_FLAG

Flag indicating whether application received a an offer with an unconditional component. An offer with an unconditional component is any offer identified as an other unconditional offer, a conditional unconditional offer, or a direct unconditional offer. Only calculated for applications considered in UCAS’ 2019 unconditional offer making analysis.

UNCONDITIONAL_COMPONENT_FLAG

Application identifier that is unique to each application made by an applicant.

UNIQUE_APPLICATION_ID_CYCLE

Applicant identifier that is unique to each applicant in each cycle.

UNIQUE_ID_CYCLE

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) data for Wales which covers state funded learning centres.

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

Documentation

Coverage

Provenance

Origin

Temporal

Accessibility

Access

Usage

Format and Standards

Observations

Origin