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HE subject

UCAS subject classifications now employ the Joint Academic Coding System (JACS). JACS, introduced for 2002 entry, replaces UCAS' Standard Classification of Academic Subjects (SCAS), which was used up to and including 2001 entry. Usually presented by broad subject area (Subject group) or detailed subject of study (Subject line).

Where applicants apply to more than one Subject area, the Subject group or line listed most frequently on the application form is counted (preferred subject). For some subjects this creates the impression that there are more people accepted than applied.

More information on subject classifications is available here

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Summary statistics
The numbers of applicants and accepted applicants by HE subject (JACS).

Applicants

Subject group (JACS)	2002	2003	2004	2005
A Medicine and dentistry	13,644	16,753	19,982	22,039
B Subjects allied to medicine	26,820	30,510	35,060	41,441
C Biological sciences	31,874	34,142	33,501	35,614
D Veterinary sciences, agriculture and related subjects	4,663	4,723	4,450	4,703
F Physical sciences	13,635	13,666	13,281	14,384
G Mathematical and computer sciences	34,136	30,532	26,255	26,250
H Engineering	21,182	21,426	22,270	22,858
J Technologies	1,552	1,391	1,504	1,512
K Architecture, building and planning	6,163	6,698	7,753	9,103
L Social Studies	25,386	27,248	31,215	37,109
M Law	18,458	20,760	22,419	22,206
N Business and administrative studies	53,198	53,370	52,879	55,277
P Mass communications and documentation	9,220	9,084	9,167	10,528
Q Linguistics, Classics and related studies	11,086	11,522	12,158	12,907
R European languages, literature and related studies	4,127	3,989	3,979	4,498
T Non-European languages and related studies	1,551	1,472	1,435	1,439
V Historical and philosophical studies	13,115	13,305	14,039	15,579
W Creative arts and design	48,365	51,333	53,778	59,547
X Education	14,797	14,788	15,656	17,307
Combined sciences	2,392	2,130	1,932	2,151
Combined social sciences	2,578	2,875	2,885	2,760
Combined arts	9,013	9,112	9,256	9,849
Sciences combined with social sciences or arts	10,512	10,398	9,778	10,298
Social sciences combined with arts	7,024	7,050	7,167	7,621
General, other combined and unknown	1,914	2,088	1,981	1,567
No preferred subject group	74,960	76,102	72,248	73,608
Total	461,365	476,467	486,028	522,155

Accepted Applicants

Subject group (JACS)	2002	2003	2004	2005
A Medicine and dentistry	7,885	8,615	8,944	9,008
B Subjects allied to medicine	20,010	22,050	24,041	26,711
C Biological sciences	28,548	29,775	29,884	32,967
D Veterinary sciences, agriculture and related subjects	3,975	4,150	4,105	4,541
F Physical sciences	14,329	14,453	13,953	15,074
G Mathematical and computer sciences	31,571	28,871	25,571	25,624
H Engineering	21,934	21,725	21,962	22,059
J Technologies	2,424	2,311	2,499	2,466
K Architecture, building and planning	6,284	6,986	7,780	8,779
L Social Studies	24,643	25,108	26,884	30,320
M Law	16,104	17,890	18,690	19,210
N Business and administrative studies	45,844	46,254	45,848	48,580
P Mass communications and documentation	8,656	9,033	9,056	10,002
Q Linguistics, Classics and related studies	10,529	10,744	10,991	11,855
R European languages, literature and related studies	4,010	3,841	3,889	4,220
T Non-European languages and related studies	2,245	2,162	2,113	1,935
V Historical and philosophical studies	12,693	12,539	12,966	14,096
W Creative arts and design	37,633	39,242	41,112	45,070
X Education	10,622	11,213	12,177	13,378
Combined sciences	6,039	5,539	5,497	6,269
Combined social sciences	5,197	5,382	5,123	5,125
Combined arts	11,839	11,669	11,467	12,589
Sciences combined with social sciences or arts	17,973	17,834	17,103	18,798
Social sciences combined with arts	10,404	10,470	10,293	10,821
General, other combined and unknown	6,724	6,451	5,596	5,872
Total	368,115	374,307	377,544	405,369

view HE subject (JACS) as percent (%) (2002-2005 entry)
view HE subject (SCAS) (1998-2001 entry)
view HE subject (SCAS) (1998-2001 entry) as percent (%)

Data to match your precise requirements
If you want more detailed data you can use our simple statistical enquiry service to devise your own tables showing HE subject (a combination of Subject group and Subject line) by any of the following:

Age
Sex
Ethnicity
Socio-economics
Qualification
Region (Domicile)
HE institution
HE region

You can also filter by UK country and course type (Degree/HND) and for some combinations, Clearing.

More flexibility
You can create your own multi-dimensional tables (ie Subject group by Sex AND Age) using our annual datasets. These are free downloadable spreadsheet files that enable you to undertake more sophisticated analysis of the data we provide using pivot tables. Using these, you can still plot Subject group or Subject line against any of the above, and you can also include one or more additional variables from the list.

Additional data
If you require more specialised data, our statistical enquiries team may be able to help. The following additional information may be available for UK applicants.

Course code
Course title
Course keyword

While we do make a cost-recovery charge for custom-built data, we are always happy to discuss your requirements with no-obligation. You can complete the enquiry request form and post, fax or email it to us, or contact stats@ucas.ac.uk tel: 01242 544896 quoting EW10.

Analysis
Many of our customers have told us that they haven't the time, or maybe the expertise, to exploit the data available from UCAS to its full potential. Did you know that we could do that for you? Many universities and colleges are now using our new range of statistical and analytical services, which support our data provision with consultation, analysis, reports, presentations and training. More information is available here or contact stats@ucas.ac.uk tel: 01242 544896. Please quote AW10.

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