Roger,

This is of great concern to us and is already causing confusion between
ourselves, LEAs and SLC. This adds even more to the problem that we
currently have of LEAs not recognising non-UCAS codes but being extremely
dependent upon the SLC course codes. As you know SLC codes are not visible
to read on the HEI version of the SLC database thus there is tremendous
confusion when you take into consideration the four types of course codes
that can occur: SLC, UCAS, JACS and the HEI's own internal code. We recently
learnt that any code which is marked as not UCAS on the HEI database is
wiped from the SLC list  before it is sent to LEAs and such courses are only
visible on the LEA read-only disks by the SLC code and the course title. If
we put new courses onto the SLC database we do not get to know the SLC code
for that course unless we specifically request it or wait until the next
edition of the SLC disk from SLC. The only solution seems to be that we have
to create lookup tables of all four possible codes and when an LEA queries a
code we can refer them to the SLC code upon which they seem happy to act.
The question remains as to whether or not we are doing the SLC's work for
the LEAs. However if we don't do this it results in long delays in receiving
payment for our students. I realise this question is somewhat wider than
your original query but I feel there is more to this question of codes than
just the UCAS and JACS issues.

Thanks

Brian Houlgrave
Senior Assistant Registrar
Undergraduate Student Administration
University of Salford
SALFORD M5 4WT
Tel: 0161 295 5787
Fax: 0161 295 5258


-----Original Message-----
From: Admin-student [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
Roger Clark
Sent: 30 July 2001 13:20
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: UCAS/HESA/JACS codes


I am due to go to a meeting at the DfES tomorrow to discuss solutions to the
problem the during 2001-2 the SLC and LEAs will have to use both UCAS codes
and JACS codes simultaneously in the administration of student support.

My belief is that during the year we will have to use the new JACS codes in
our admissions systems, we will use the new JACS codes for the December 2002
HESA return.  Since for most the admissions system can be kept separate from
the current students, we have a manageable problem.  The difficulty for the
SLC and LEAs is that within their single systems they will have to deal with
both old codes (in respect of current students) and new JACS codes for
applicants.

The DfES has asked me gather any information I can on how HEIs are dealing
with these changes particularly for continuing students.  Does anyone have a
view of the HE position which varies from mine? and does anyone have any
clever ideas for a solution to the student support problem?

Apologies for cross-posting, but I think all four groups have a finger in
this pie.  Answers by the end of today, please

Roger Clark
Academic Registrar
University of Reading