Universities will introduce new certificates giving a detailed breakdown of students’ grades which could eventually replace traditional degree rankings, vice-chancellors said yesterday.

The classifications of first, upper second class (2:1), lower second class (2:2) and third may be phased out when universities adopt the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) in 2011. Almost two thirds of graduates achieve a first class or upper second class (2:1) degree, and employers have complained that it is difficult to differentiate between them.

Under the new system, grades will be listed in every module of a student’s course, allowing employers to distinguish between those who almost attained a first and those who only just scraped a 2:1.

Eighteen universities are running trials of the scheme. Universities UK, which represents vice-chancellors, said yesterday that while it would come into use nationwide in 2011, it could even be introduced next year by some institutions.

The system could also expose students with slothful lifestyles while at university. But graduates who used their time more productively will also be able to impress potential employers by recording their extracurricular activities, such as work experience, society membership and voluntary work.

This reflects a trend — which has become more widespread during the recession — of universities encouraging students to acquire skills to make themselves more employable.

Vice-chancellors held a conference yesterday to discuss the trials of the HEAR. Its introduction was prompted by Professor Robert Burgess, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, who led a steering group that in 2007 produced a wide-ranging report on degree classification.

In that report he stated that the case for change was “inevitable and, indeed, long overdue”, adding: “A summative system, which gives the appearance of ‘signing off’ a person’s education with a simple numerical indicator, is at odds with lifelong learning.”

Professor Burgess led the development of the HEAR, which is supposed to provide a more in-depth description of student achievement.

It will give detailed information about a student’s course, the marks they gained in individual modules and a record of their extracurricular activities.

A spokesman for Universities UK said that it could replace the current degree classification system.

He said: “The implementation steering group has now agreed that there should be sector-wide rollout of the HEAR at the beginning of the academic year 2011-12 following consideration of the recommendations of the group.

“There will, however, be an opportunity for institutions to start issuing the HEAR voluntarily in 2010-11, based on the success of the current trial.”

Professor Burgess said yesterday: “We are a step closer to improving the information that higher education provides on student achievement.

“The Higher Education Achievement Report will be of great benefit to students and employers and enables institutions to clearly demonstrate the breadth and depth of the student experience in higher education in the most effective and efficient way.”

A spokesman for the 1994 Group, which represents research-intensive universities, said: “We hope this will be a welcome opportunity for students to consider and promote the skills, knowledge and experience they have developed on their degree course and from activities beyond the curriculum.

“The most employable graduates are those who not only have a blend of skills but who are able to demonstrate and articulate how they have developed their skills.”

Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the Association of Graduate Recruiters, said: “We support proposals for a sector-wide rollout of the HEAR. We consulted widely with our members [on this].

“Employers have shown a considerable degree of interest in and enthusiasm for these reports. In a climate where there is a much-increased volume of applications for graduate jobs, anything that gives employers a fuller picture of an applicant has to be welcomed.

“The issue of reclassification is complex but we agree that the current system — used in isolation — has outgrown its usefulness.”

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