Guidance for using JACS codes for Subject of Course Aim
JACS is the system used by HEFCE and HESA to identify the subject matter of programmes and
modules it is also the basis of the UCAS course coding system.
JACS codes assigned to a course / programme as a whole are used to describe the subject(s) of the
qualification students on that course are aiming for. For example, for a BSc in Mathematics, the
subject of the qualification is Mathematics, which is described by JACS code G100.
If a single JACS code cannot describe the subject/title of course adequately, up to three JACS codes
may be used to describe the course. A percentage can be assigned to each JACS to denote the
approximate portion of the course devoted to that subject. The sum of all percentages for a single
course must add up to 100%.
For example, BSc in Mathematics with Finance could be coded to two JACS codes, G100
(Mathematics) and N300 (Finance). Because the title of the course contains ‘with’ which is usually
used to mean a Major-Minor combination, a percentage could be assigned to each of the JACS
codes on this course as follows:
N300 67%
L100 33%
This is the commonly accepted percentage used when a course contains a Major-Minor combination.
This is by no means set in stone, and if you feel that the course being approved actually should have
an 80/20 split, you should code it as such.
Should you wish to look at the JACS codes of Course Aim assigned to a course (route code), they
can be found in SITS in the PWY table on fields Ext subject 1, Ext subject 2, and Ext subject 3.
They will also automatically show on the SCE screen. For single honours programmes it is likely
there will be only one JACS code, but for joint or major/minor programmes you can select up to 3
codes (see examples below).
PWY Screen - a Single – Subject course
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PWY Screen - a Major - Minor course described by 2 JACS codes
PWY Screen - a Triple combination described by 3 JACS codes
Strategy and Planning Unit
November 2010
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