This field contains a code that specifies some ethnic groups and some nationalities. It was introduced from the 1995-96 data year.

From April 2001 the codes were changed to conform to the 2001 census classification. However, HES continued to accept the old codes as well as the new codes for the 2001-02 and 2002-03 data years.

From 2001-02 onwards:
A = British (White)
B = Irish (White)
C = Any other White background
D = White and Black Caribbean (Mixed)
E = White and Black African (Mixed)
F = White and Asian (Mixed)
G = Any other Mixed background
H = Indian (Asian or Asian British)
J = Pakistani (Asian or Asian British)
K = Bangladeshi (Asian or Asian British)
L = Any other Asian background
M = Caribbean (Black or Black British)
N = African (Black or Black British)
P = Any other Black background
R = Chinese (other ethnic group)
S = Any other ethnic group
Z = Not stated
X = Not known

From 1995-96 to 2000-01:
0= White
1 = Black - Caribbean
2 = Black - African
3 = Black - Other
4 = Indian
5 = Pakistani
6 = Bangladeshi
7 = Chinese
8 = Any other ethnic group
9 = Not given
X = Not known