Guidance

Learning aim reference service (LARS): category codes

Updated 24 April 2024

Applies to England

Summary

1. This document describes the categories used within the learning aim reference service (LARS). For more information about the LARS, please refer to:

• find a learning aim search facility
• learning aim reference service main webpage
• learning aim reference service table and fields definitions

2. We use categories to flag certain qualifications by criteria, such as for a specific policy, pilot or programme. For example, we identify learning aim class code aims through a category (these are generic aims to represent non-regulated learning).

3. The learning aim database has a parent-child relationship. This means we can group common ‘child’ categories together and display them under a ‘parent’ category. For example, the parent category ‘All Class Code Category’ has 14 child categories to identify different groups of ‘class codes’ such as Units.

4. We will update this document when we create a new category code.

Changes to this document from version 11

5. We have added 9 new category codes:

• 67 – Exceptional Devolved Skills Bootcamps
• 68 – Skills Bootcamps – Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Provisional licence
• 69 – Skills Bootcamps – HGV ADR Exam
• 70 – Skills Bootcamps – HGV PDP Exam
• 71 – Skills Bootcamps – HGV Module 4
• 72 – Skills Bootcamps – HGV Evidenced up to date Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
• 73 – Skills Bootcamps – HGV Part 3b: On-Road Driving
• 74 – Adult Skills Fund (ASF) – Work Placement
• 75 – Non-regulated Tailored Learning

Understanding our terminology

6. The term ‘we’ refers to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). When we refer to ‘you’ or ‘providers’, this includes colleges, higher education institutions, training organisations and employers that receive funding from us to deliver education and training.

List of category codes

7. The table below shows all the category codes we have in the LARS. We describe what these mean in the next section.

8. The categories in bold are parent categories with associated child categories.

Category code	Parent category code	Category name
1	0	Skills Funding Agency (SFA) Work Preparation
2	1	Work Preparation-SFA Traineeships
3	0	All Class Code Categories
4	31	Work Placement-SFA Funded
5	0	Unassigned
6	0	Tech Levels 2017
7	6	Tech Levels 2017 – 2 Year Loan
8	6	Tech Levels 2017 – 3 Year Loan
9	0	Early Years Educators (EYE) 15/16
10	9	EYE 15/16 – 2 Year Loan
11	9	EYE 15/16 – 3 Year Loan
12	0	Loans Length (not Tech Levels 2017/EYE)
13	12	Loans Length – 2 Year (not Tech Lvl 2017/EYE)
14	12	Loans Length – 3 Year (not Tech Lvl 2017/EYE)
15	0	Unassigned
16	0	Unassigned
17	0	Local Enterprise Partnership Initiatives
18	17	LEP-Solent LEP 14/15 Pilot
19	0	Trades Union Congress
20	0	Standalone and Licence To Practise
21	20	Standalone
22	20	Licence To Practise – Security
23	3	Class Code Category A: Non Regulated Provision (Formula Funded)
24	3	Class Code Category B: Non Regulated English, Maths, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Provision (Formula Funded)
25	3	Class Code Category C: National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Units of Adult Basic Skills Certificates (Formula Funded)
26	3	Class Code Category D: Innovation Code 7 Category Code Parent Category Code Category Name
27	3	Class Code Category E: Non Regulated Provision (not Community Learning or Formula Funded)
28	3	Class Code Category F: Non Regulated Provision (Community Learning)
29	3	Class Code Category G: Non Regulated English, Maths and ESOL Provision (not Formula Funded)
30	3	Class Code Category H: Units of NQF Qualifications
31	3	Class Code Category I: Work Experience/Placement
32	3	Class Code Category J: Supported Internship
33	3	Class Code Category K: Programme Aim
34	3	Class Code Category L: ESF Co-financed
35	3	Class Code Category M: Conversion Codes between Higher National Qualifications
36	3	Class Code Category O: Education Assessments
37	0	Legal Entitlement-Level 2
38	0	Only for Legal Entitlement at Level 3
39	0	Legal Entitlement-English and Maths
40	0	Local Flexibility
41	0	Aims specific to Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCA) and Greater London Authority (GLA)
42	0	Digital Skills
43	0	COVID-19 skills offer
44	0	COVID-19 skills offer only
45	0	National Skills Fund Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs rate 1
46	0	National Skills Fund Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs rate 2
47	0	MCA and GLA Provision
48	0	National Skills Fund Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs only
49	0	National Skills Fund Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs short qualification
50	0	HGV
51	0	HGV medical
52	0	HGV licence
53	0	HGV aims authorised by a MCA or the GLA
54	0	Higher education aim with a foundation year – Office for Students (OfS) purposes only
55	0	Higher Technical Qualification
56	0	Free Courses for Jobs – MCA and GLA (only) flexible delivery qualifications
57	0	Skills Bootcamps – Offer of an interview
58	0	Skills Bootcamps – Offer of a new role or added responsibilities with existing employer
59	0	Skills Bootcamps – Receipt of plan from learner to acquire new self-employment opportunities or contracts
60	0	MCA/GLA – funded provision with no area cost or disadvantage applied
61	0	ESFA-funded provision with no area cost or disadvantage applied
62	0	Skills Bootcamps – Subject Learning
63	0	Multiply – Improving adult numeracy skills
64	0	A-Level qualifications attracting low programme cost weighting for 16 to 19
65	0	Adult Education Budget (AEB) Procurement 2023 non-regulated learning aims
66	0	AEB – Work Placement
67	0	Exceptional Devolved Skills Bootcamps
68	0	Skills Bootcamps – HGV Provisional licence
69	0	Skills Bootcamps – HGV ADR Exam
70	0	Skills Bootcamps – HGV PDP Exam
71	0	Skills Bootcamps – HGV Module 4
72	0	Skills Bootcamps – HGV Evidenced up to date CPC
73	0	Skills Bootcamps – HGV Part 3b: On-Road Driving
74	0	ASF – Work Placement
75	0	Non-regulated Tailored Learning

Work Preparation (codes 1 and 2)

9. We use this category to identify learning aims that you can record to represent work preparation and, specifically, work preparation for traineeships.

10. We use these categories for the traineeship funding calculation, monitoring, validation, statistics and analysis.

11. For further guidance on work preparation in traineeships, refer to Delivering 16 to 18 traineeships through ESFA funding or, where the learner is over 19, in the traineeship section of the AEB funding rates and formula.

12. The parent category is ‘SFA Work Preparation’ (code 1).

13. The child category is ‘Work Preparation – SFA Traineeships’ (code 2).

All Class Code Categories (code 3)

14. We use this category to identify learning aim class codes (these are generic aims to represent non-regulated learning). For more information on class codes, please refer to the learning aim class code guidance.

Work Placement (code 4)

15. We use this category to identify learning aims that you can record to represent work placement and, specifically, work placement for traineeships.

16. We use this category for the traineeship funding calculation, monitoring, validation, statistics and analysis.

17. For further guidance, refer to Delivering 16 to 18 traineeships through ESFA funding or, where the learner is over 19, the traineeships section in AEB funding rates and formula.

18. The parent category is ‘Class Code Category: Work Experience/Placement’ (code 31).

19. The child category is ‘Work Placement – SFA Funded’ (code 4).

Tech Levels (codes 6, 7 and 8)

20. We use this category to identify qualifications designated by the Department for Education as Tech Levels for the 2017 16 to 19 performance tables.

21. We use the categories for the advanced learner loans bursary (‘loans bursary’) funding calculation. They indicate whether a Tech Level is fundable over either a 2- or 3-year period.

22. The parent category is ‘Tech Levels 2017’ (code 6).

23. The child categories are:

• ‘Tech Levels 2017 – 2 Year Loan’ (code 7)
• ‘Tech Levels 2017 – 3 Year Loan’ (code 8)

Early Years Educators (EYE) (codes 9, 10 and 11)

24. We use this category to identify Level 3 and 4 EYE learning aims, which have been confirmed as ‘full and relevant’ by the National College for Teaching and Leadership.

25. We use these categories for the Advanced Learner Loans Bursary (‘loans bursary’) funding calculation. They indicate whether an EYE learning aim is fundable over either a 2- or 3-year period.

26. The parent category is ‘Early Years Educators 15/16’ (code 9).

27. The child categories are:

• ‘Early Years Educators 15/16 – 2 Year Loan’ (code 10)
• ‘Early Years Educators 15/16 – 3 Year Loan’ (code 11).

Loans Length (not Tech Levels or EYE) (codes 12, 13 and 14)

28. We use these categories to identify technical and professional qualifications that are not EYE qualifications or qualifications in the Tech Level category in the 2017 16 to 19 performance tables.

29. We use these categories for the advanced learner loans bursary (‘loans bursary’) funding calculation. The categories indicate whether a learning aim is fundable over either a 2- or 3-year period.

30. The parent category is ‘Loans length (not Tech Levels/EYE)’ (code 12).

31. The child categories are:

• ‘Loans Length - 2 Year (not Tech Lvl /EYE)’ (code 13)
• ‘Loans Length - 3 Year (not Tech Lvl /EYE)’ (code 14).

Local Enterprise Partnership Initiatives (codes 17 and 18)

32. We use this code to identify Local Enterprise Partnership Initiatives.

33. We use this code to apply specific individualised learner record (ILR) validation rules.

34. For further guidance, please refer to the Southampton and Portsmouth City Deal document and ILR specification, validation rules and appendices.

35. The parent category is ‘Local Enterprise Partnership Initiatives’ (code 17).

36. The child category is ‘LEP – Solent LEP 2014/15 pilot’ (code 18).

Trades Union Congress (code 19)

37. We use this category to identify Trades Union Congress qualifications.

38. We use this category for monitoring, statistics and analysis.

Standalone and Licence to Practise (codes 20, 21 and 22)

39. We use these categories to identify qualifications that are:

• ‘standalone’ qualifications in forklift truck, food hygiene, health and safety and first aid at work
• Licence to Practise qualifications at Level 2 in security guarding, door supervision and CCTV operations (public space surveillance)

40. We use these categories within monitoring, ILR validation rules, statistics and analysis.

41. For further guidance, refer to the Qualifications Eligibility Principles documents and ILR specification, validation rules and appendices.

42. The parent category is ‘Standalone and Licence to Practise’ (code 20).

43. The child categories are:

• ‘Standalone’ (code 21)
• ’Licence to Practise – Security’ (code 22)

Learning Aim Class Codes – Individualised Learning Record (ILR) (codes 23 to 36)

44. We use these categories to identify learning aim class codes as defined by the Learning Aim Class Code guidance and the ILR specification, validation rules and appendices.

45. The parent category is ‘All Class Code Categories’ (code 3).

46. The child categories are:

• Class Code Category A: Non-Regulated Provision (formula funded) (code 23)
• Class Code Category B: Non-Regulated English, Maths, and ESOL Provision (formula funded) (code 24)
• Class Code Category C: Components of Units of Adult Basic Skills Certificates (historically known as ‘NQF units’) (formula funded) (code 25)
• Class Code Category D: Innovation Code (code 26)
• Class Code Category E: Non-Regulated Provision (not Community Learning or Formula Funded) (code 27)
• Class Code Category F: Non-Regulated Provision (Community Learning) (code 28)
• Class Code Category G: Non-Regulated English, Maths and ESOL Provision (not formula funded) (code 29)
• Class Code Category H: Components of qualifications (also known as ‘NQF units’) (code 30)
• Class Code Category I: Work Experience/Placement (code 31)
• Class Code Category J: Supported Internship (code 32)
• Class Code Category K: Programme Aim (code 33)
• Class Code Category L: ESF Co-financed (code 34)
• Class Code Category M: Conversion Codes between Higher National Qualifications (code 35)
• Class Code Category O: Education Assessments (code 36).

Legal Entitlement – Level 2 (code 37)

47. We use this category to identify qualifications that we fully fund for 19 to 23 year olds, when they are studying for a first qualification at level 2. Subject to approval, these qualifications are also eligible for local flexibility funding (where a 19 to 23 year old learner is not undertaking a first qualification at level 2, or the learner is 24 years old or above).

48. We use this category within monitoring, ILR validation rules, statistics and analysis.

49. For further guidance about the legal entitlement offer, refer to the qualifications and public funding page.

Legal Entitlement – Level 3 (not available for delivery as part of local flexibilities) (code 38)

50. We use this category to identify qualifications that we fully fund for 19 to 23 year-olds, when they are studying for a first qualification at level 3. These qualifications are not available as part of local flexibilities.

51. We use this category within monitoring, ILR validation rules, statistics and analysis.

52. For further guidance about the legal entitlement offer, refer to the qualifications and public funding page.

Legal Entitlement – English and maths (code 39)

53. We use this category to identify the English and maths qualifications and their components (previously called units) available as part of the English and maths entitlement.

54. We use this category within monitoring, ILR validation rules, statistics and analysis.

55. For further guidance about this legal entitlement offer, refer to the qualifications and public funding page.

Local Flexibility (code 40)

56. We use this category to identify qualifications (and their components) from Entry to Level 2, which we have approved as part of the Local Flexibility offer.

57. We use this category within monitoring, ILR validation rules, statistics and analysis.

58. For further guidance about the Local Flexibility offer, refer to the qualifications and public funding page.

Aims that are specific to the MCA or the GLA (code 41)

59. We removed this category code from use 1 August 2022.

60. We previously used this category code to identify aims only, for use with MCAs and the GLA, as approved by those areas. The code was used within monitoring, ILR validation rules, statistics and analysis; and by the MCAs and GLA.

Digital Skills (code 42)

61. We use this category to identify qualifications that we fully fund for those aged 19 or over, when they are studying for a first qualification at entry or Level 1. These qualifications are not available as part of local flexibilities.

62. We use this category within monitoring, ILR validation rules, statistics and analysis.

63. For further guidance about the legal entitlement offer, refer to the qualifications and public funding page.

COVID-19 Skills Offer (code 43)

64. For starts from 1 September 2020 to 31 July 2021, we offered additional funding for high value courses for school and college leavers: a one-year offer for 18 and 19-year olds as defined in the ESFA funded AEB funding rules.

COVID-19 Skills Offer only (code 44)

65. For starts from 1 September 2020 to 31 July 2021, we offered additional funding for high value courses for school and college leavers: a one-year offer for 18 and 19-year olds as defined in the ESFA funded AEB funding rules.

66. This code identified which qualifications would not normally be within the AEB and were only available for this initiative.

National Skills Fund Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs rate 1 (code 45)

67. We use this category to identify qualifications for adult learners who wish to achieve their first full level 3 qualification, while providing support to providers to expand level 3 provision for adults as part of the National Skills Fund Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs Offer.

68. The category code identifies qualifications available under the initiative which attract the higher rate of subsidy. There is also a category code to represent the lower rate of subsidy (National Skills Fund Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs rate 2 – code 46).

69. We use this category within monitoring, ILR validation rules, statistics and analysis.

National Skills Fund Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs rate 2 (code 46)

70. We use this category to identify qualifications for adult learners who wish to achieve their first full level 3 qualification, while providing support to providers to expand level 3 provision for adults as part of the National Skills Fund Level 3 Adult Offer.

71. The category code identifies qualifications available under the initiative which attract the lower rate of subsidy. There is also a category code to represent the higher rate of subsidy (National Skills Fund Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs rate 2 – code 45).

72. We use this category within monitoring, ILR validation rules, statistics and analysis.

MCA and GLA Provision (code 47)

73. We used this category to identify aims originally requested for use within MCAs and the GLA, as approved by those areas.

74. Where aims were latterly used within ESFA offers this code identified the original source.

75. The child category code was ‘Aims that are specific to the MCA and GLA Provision (code 41). The code was used within monitoring, ILR validation rules, statistics and analysis; and by the MCAs and GLA.

National Skills Fund Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs only (code 48)

76. We use this code to identify qualifications that would not normally be within the AEB and are only available for this initiative.

77. The child category is National Skills Fund Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs Offer only (code 48).

78. We use this category within monitoring, ILR validation rules, statistics and analysis.

National Skills Fund Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs – short qualification (code 49)

79. We use this category to identify qualifications for adult learners who wish to achieve their first full level 3 qualification, while providing support to providers to expand level 3 provision for adults as part of the National Skills Fund Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs Offer.

80. The child category is National Skills Fund Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs Offer Short qualification (code 49).

81. We use this category within monitoring, ILR validation rules, statistics and analysis.

HGV (codes 50 to 53)

82. HGV driver training flexibilities have been developed to support an increase in HGV driver training. The offer for the 2021 to 2022 academic year has been extended to 2022 to 2023.

83. This offer:

• includes level 2 qualifications which will prepare learners for HGV licence acquisition of all vehicles up to category C and E (articulated)
• includes additional qualifications that are approved for training in this sector throughout the 2021 to 2022 and 2022 to 2023 academic years
• the cost of HGV licences and medical

84. These codes identify which qualifications and class codes are only available for this initiative.

85. Category code 50 is assigned to the preparatory qualifications.

86. Category codes 51 (HGV Medical) and 52 (HGV Licence) are assigned to the learning aim class codes covering the costs of HGV licence and medical.

87. Category code 53 (HGV aims authorised by MCA or the GLA is assigned to MCA/GLA only.

Higher education aim with a foundation year – OfS purposes only (code 54)

88. We use this category code to identify aims which contain a mandatory foundation year.

89. Where an aim contains an optional foundation year, 2 separate aims will be added on to LARS. Students undertaking the foundation year must be recorded against the learning aim recorded within this category code.

90. We use this category within monitoring, statistics and analysis. This data will be used by the OfS for regulatory purposes.

Higher Technical Qualification (code 55)

91. Higher Technical Qualifications are qualifications that have been approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education as meeting occupational standards for the relevant sector.

92. We use this category to identify Higher Technical Qualifications that are available.

93. We use this category for monitoring, validation, statistics, analysis and to support the population of the national course directory.

Free Courses for Jobs – MCA and GLA (only) flexible delivery qualifications (code 56)

94. We use this category to identify aims requested by MCAs and the GLA, approved by DfE for use in those areas under the National Skills Fund Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs Offer.

95. The category code identifies qualifications available under the initiative (in MCA/GLA areas only) as part of the 20% flexible delivery of provision available to MCAs and GLA.

Skills Bootcamps – Offer of an interview (code 57)

96. We use this category code to differentiate the class codes specific to the outcome in relation to Skills Bootcamps where the learner has the offer of an interview with a new employer.

97. We use this category code to enable automatic completion payments to be identified and issued (in funding model 37).

98. We use this category within monitoring, ILR validation rules, calculations, statistics and analysis.

Skills Bootcamps – Offer of a new role or added responsibilities with existing employer (code 58)

99. We use this category code to differentiate the class codes specific to the outcome in relation to Skills Bootcamps where the learner has the offer of a new role or added responsibilities with their existing employer.

100. We use this category code to enable automatic completion payments to be identified and issued (in funding model 37).

101. We use this category code within monitoring, ILR validation rules, calculations, statistics and analysis.

Skills Bootcamps – Receipt of plan from learner to acquire new self-employment opportunities or contracts (code 59)

102. We use this category code to differentiate the class codes specific to the outcome in relation to Skills Bootcamps where the provider has receipt of a plan to acquire new self-employment opportunities or contracts.

103. We use this category code to enable automatic completion payments to be identified and issued (in funding model 37).

104. We use this category code within monitoring, ILR validation rules, calculations, statistics and analysis.

MCA/GLA-funded provision with no area cost or disadvantage applied (code 60)

105. We use this category code to identify MCA/GLA specific class codes which do not attract an area cost or disadvantage uplift (in funding model 35).

106. We use this category code within monitoring, ILR validation rules, calculations, statistics and analysis.

ESFA-funded provision with no area cost or disadvantage applied (code 61)

107. We use this category code to identify ESFA-funded specific provision which do not attract an area cost or disadvantage uplift (in funding model 35).

108. We use this category code within monitoring, ILR validation rules, calculations, statistics and analysis.

Skills Bootcamps – Subject Learning (code 62)

109. We use this category code to identify sector specific training class codes associated with Skills Bootcamps.

110. Eligibility, funding guidance and information for class codes contained within this category code can be found at Skills Bootcamps.

111. We use this category code within monitoring, ILR validation rules, statistics and analysis.

Multiply – Improving Adult Numeracy Skills (code 63)

112. We use this category code to identify non-regulated learning aim class codes that are funded through the Multiply Grant funding offer for those aged 19 or over. For further guidance about this offer, refer to Multiply – Skills for Careers.

113. We use this category code within monitoring, ILR validation rules, statistics and analysis.

A-Level qualifications attracting low programme cost weighting for 16 to 19 (code 64)

114. This category identifies A level qualifications eligible for a 16 to 19 programme cost weighting when delivered in combination.

115. More information on 16 to 19 programme cost weightings and, in particular, how programme cost weightings apply to A level programmes can be found in the 16 to 19 rates and formula guidance.

116. This code is used in the 16 to 19 funding calculation to assign the correct programme cost weighting to eligible A level programmes.

AEB Procurement 2023 non-regulated learning aims (code 65)

117. We use this category to identify specific non-regulated learning aims that are available to independent training provider contracts procured through the 2023 procurement exercise.

118. We use this category to enable service for contract providers with contracts beginning from 1 August 2023 to deliver specified non-regulated learning aims.

119. We use this category within monitoring, ILR validation rules, calculations, statistics and analysis.

AEB – Work Placement (code 66)

120. Following the integration of traineeships into the AEB from August 2023, we use this category code to identify learning aims for work placements funded within the AEB.

121. The AEB funding rules 2023 to 2024 describe when these learning aims are eligible to be funded.

Exceptional Devolved Skills Bootcamps (code 67)

122. We use this category code to identify specific learning aim class codes associated with Skills Bootcamps for devolved areas.

123. We use this category code within monitoring, ILR validation rules, statistics and analysis.

Skills Bootcamps – HGV (codes 68 to 73)

124. This offer includes:

• Skills Bootcamps – HGV Provisional licence (code 68)
• Skills Bootcamps – HGV ADR Exam (code 69)
• Skills Bootcamps – HGV PDP Exam (code 70)
• Skills Bootcamps – HGV Module 4 (code 71)
• Skills Bootcamps – HGV Evidenced up to date CPC (code 72)
• Skills Bootcamps – HGV Part 3b: On-Road Driving (code 73)

125. We use these category codes to differentiate the class codes specific to the outcome in relation to Skills Bootcamps where the learner has the offer of a new role or added responsibilities with their existing employer.

126. We use these category codes to enable automatic completion payments to be identified and issued (in funding model 37).

127. We use these category codes within monitoring, ILR validation rules, calculations, statistics and analysis.

128. We use these category codes to identify sector specific training class codes associated with Skills Bootcamps.

129. Eligibility, funding guidance and information for class codes contained within these category codes can be found at Skills Bootcamps.

Adult Skills Fund – Work Placement (code 74)

130. Following the introduction of the ASF from 1st August 2024 we use this category code to identify work placement learning aims that will be formula funded. The ASF funding rules state when these are eligible to be funded.

131. The ASF funding rates and formula show how these will be funded.

Non-regulated Tailored Learning (code 75)

132. We use this to identify non-regulated tailored learning provision.

133. Tailored Learning brings together what was previously AEB community learning provision, formula-funded AEB non-regulated learning (previously delivered through adult skills) and any employer-facing innovative provision that is not qualification based.

134. We use this category code within monitoring, ILR validation rules, statistics and analysis.