Cambridge Rejects Report Cards

Cambridge has shunned the chance to give graduates the new Higher Education Achievement Report, instead opting to retain the traditional classification system, which awards students first, second or third-class degrees.

Supported by Universities UK, the vice-chancellors’ group representing UK universities, the HEAR awards graduates a more in-depth record of their time at university, with details of academic achievements, exam results for particular modules and extra-curricular activities.

It has been compared to the report cards awarded to school pupils.

Oxford has also shunned the HEAR and so far it has only been accepted by 14 of the 24 leading Russell Group universities.

Advocates of the HEAR claim the traditional classification system does not sufficiently distinguish students based on ability, rendering workplace recruitment an arduous challenge.

Over half of UK universities will award the school-style reports to this year’s freshers and it is hoped that they will replace the 200-year-old traditional honours system everywhere.

However, an Oxford spokesperson said employers have shown “a lack of interest” in the HEAR and they would only introduce it if there was demand from students or employers.

Speaking to The Tab, a third year from Selwyn said the University was right to reject the new system: “Without trying to sound like an arrogant twat, Cambridge is much tougher than other universities, so you can’t compare a degree from here and elsewhere.

“Recruiters would start using module marks as benchmarks, like the current 2.i cut-off for job applications, leading them to discriminate against Oxbridge students who will find it harder to achieve these marks.”

Regarding the inclusion of extra-curricular activities in the reports, they said: “Why not just write them on your own CV? It’s almost like the stickers you’d get at primary school for reading a book. It seems a bit ridiculous.”

However, Cambridge has not yet provided an explanation for the University’s rejection of the system.