Eighteen universities are to trial the Governments new Higher Education Achievement Report. This will involve individual marks for modules being used alongside the traditional degree classifications. The report could also contain information about a student's extra curricular activities. This comes as part of a long term shift away from the traditional degree classifications, which are believed not to give enough detail about a student's ability.

It is hoped that if the scheme is successful, more universities will adopt it. The Vice Chancellor of Leicester University, Robert Burgess is leading the discussions on the scheme. "Universities need to provide more information to students than just a first or 2:1. Just as we innovate in terms of the curriculum, so we can innovate in terms of assessment." he said.

Employers are increasingly being faced with a glut of graduates, the majority of whom attain a first or upper second class degree. This has led to difficulties in distinguishing between candidates for a job. Increasingly, grade transcripts are required as part of the application process, and supporters of the report scheme hope that it will help standardise this. It is also hoped that increasing emphasis on other activities carried out at university will allow employers to make better decisions. Quite how this will supplement CVs and application forms, with marks asked for if needed, this writer does not know. Live!'s comment on this scheme would be "must try harder".

Add your comment: