In 2007, Universities UK and GuildHE published Beyond the honours degree classification: the Burgess Group final report. This recommended the introduction of a new Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR), building upon the European Diploma Supplement, to enable institutions to provide a fuller record of student achievement. The report provided an initial template for the HEAR.

The Burgess Implementation Steering Group (BISG) was established by UniversitiesUK and GuildHE to trial the HEAR and make recommendations on implementation. Since then, the BISG has developed, tested and trialled the HEAR in 30 institutions across the UK.

The trialling of the HEAR has sought to address a wide range of issues including value to students and employers, technical issues relating to student records, cost and potential for enhancing the student experience. The BISG has been supported in its work by a wide range of individuals and organisations including higher education funding councils across the UK, the Higher Education Academy, The Centre for Recording Achievement, JISC, the National Union of Students and the Association of Graduate Recruiters.

The HEAR enables institutions to provide a detailed picture of student achievement throughout a students’ time at university, including academic work, extra-curricular activities, prizes and employability awards, voluntary work and offices held in student union clubs and societies that have been verified by the institution.

In advance of making recommendations to UniversitiesUK and GuildHE on sector-wide adoption the BISG has developed a 'starter pack' building upon the experience of the trialling institutions that will provide institutions interested in developing a HEAR the material required to take this initiative forward.

If you are interested in developing the HEAR in your institution and would like to receive the starter pack, please contact Greg Wade on 0207 419 5479 or greg.wade@universitiesuk.ac.uk