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How does QUALENT3 work?

The QUALENT3 value in the 2012 *J uses three indicators to help find the Highest Qualification on Entry. Each of these indicators is derived in a different way before being brought together for the QUALENT3 calculation. The three values are:

  • HIQE
  • HIQA
  • Best ABL.

For the below values and for the calculations used in the *J, the 'highest' or 'best' qualification is defined by taking the QUALENT3 coding frame as a hierarchy. Therefore, the closer to the top of the coding frame a qualification sits the higher or better it is. For example; P50 will be taken over P80 as it is nearer to the top of the coding frame. It should be noted that the hierarchy structure does not extend to the qualifications within the categories (eg no distinction is made between Free Standing Maths and SQA Highers as they are both P80 qualifications).

HIQE

This is the Highest Qualification Expected. This value is calculated from qualifications entered by the applicant in Apply; specifically qualifications where they have entered a grade of 'Pending'.

If the applicant has not entered any expected qualifications the value will be X06 (Not Known).

HIQA

This is the Highest Qualification Achieved. This value is calculated from qualifications entered by the applicant in Apply; specifically qualifications where they have entered a grade.

If the applicant has not entered any achieved qualifications the value will be X06 (Not Known).

HIQA and HIQE do not use codes P92, P93 or P94. They are used to specifically identify the type of qualification the applicant has, rather than if they have a mixture.

Best ABL

This is the Highest Qualification received through the Awarding Body Linkage process. These are verified results that UCAS obtains directly from the awarding organisations.

If an applicant does not have any ABL qualifications the value will be X06.

Calculation Process

This first part of the calculation will set either a FINAL or PROVISIONAL QUALENT3 value. If a PROVISIONAL value is set it will determine whether a value of P92, P93 or P94 needs to be returned. P92, P93 and P94 are special Level 3 codes that indicate the following:

  • P92 - Level 3 qualifications of which none are subject to UCAS Tariff
  • P93 - Level 3 qualifications of which all are subject to UCAS Tariff
  • P94 - Level 3 qualifications of which some are subject to UCAS Tariff.

The initial calculation is as follows. It performs each rule in turn:

IF HIQE is better than HIQA and Best ABL and also above Level 3 Set HIQE as FINAL QUALENT3

IF Best ABL is equal to or better than HIQA Set Best ABL as PROVISIONAL QUALENT3

ELSE Set HIQA as PROVISIONAL QUALENT3

IF PROVISIONAL QUALENT3 is not at LEVEL3 Set PROVISIONAL QUALENT3 as FINAL QUALENT3

ELSE Check for P92, P93, P94

NOTE: Due to the fact that it is possible for QUALENT3 to be set by qualifications entered in Apply only, HEIs should make sure that their students have the right qualifications. This may apply to any QUALENT3 (but in particular those above Level 3).

P92 / P93 / P94 Check

As part of the P92, P93 and P94 check the *J will look at all Level 3 qualifications both entered in Apply and received via ABL.

IF number of unique Apply and ABL Level 3 QUALENT values combined are not > 1 Set PROVISIONAL QUALENT3 as FINAL QUALENT3

ELSE

IF all Apply and ABL qualifications that are at Level 3 are on the UCAS Tariff Set P93 as FINAL QUALENT3

ELSE

IF all Apply and ABL qualifications that are at Level 3 are not on the UCAS Tariff Set P92 as FINAL QUALENT3

ELSE Set P94 as FINAL QUALENT3

View worked examples and a list of qualifications in QUALENT3 (word doc)

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