Did you HEAR about the new grading plan?

Currently students who graduate are awarded a first, second of third class degree. Recently though there has been concern from employers that this does not provide enough information about the achievements of a graduate nor allows them to distinguish between job applicants. In 2004 Bob Burgess, the VC of Leciester, led a review into the classification system and found that the current system had outlived its usefulness. In 2007 Burgess advocated a Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR). This will provide more detailed information then the final year transcript, showing individual modules and assessments. The HEAR is not designed to replace the current classification system but enhance it.

This year 18 universities will trial this new grading system for degrees. Last year Guild Council passed a motion supporting the Higher Education Achievement Report and the results of the pilot will be watched with interest.