Flexible teaching via the internet, year-round enrolment and overseas campuses were some of the other proposed reforms in the nine papers published last week, written by vice chancellors and leading academics.
While most of these reforms exist only on paper, from early next year 18 universities will be trialling a new grading system in English, Biology, Accounting and Creative Arts.
It is hoped that more universities will join the scheme for the following academic year.
In his report, Paul Ramsden, chief executive of the Higher Education Academy, said that universities should issue report cards instead of the traditional class degrees of firsts, 2:1s, 2:2s or thirds.
The report cards will give information on students’ performance throughout their time at university.
This includes a breakdown of grades by modules, and details of areas in which they have excelled as well as taking into account other skills gained during the student’s time at university.
The current proposal is to give the report cards alongside the graduate’s traditional final degree grade with the aim of giving employers, higher education institutions or other interested parties more contextual detail about the abilities of a particular candidate.
Mr. Ramsden said: "The present system of classification was designed for a smaller higher education world.
"It does not describe the range of knowledge, skills, experience and attributes of a graduate in the 21st century."
Rebecca Watson, Education Officer for the Union of Students, agrees that the traditional grading system is no longer sufficient in representing an individual student’s abilities.
She said: "A degree classification shows academic performance and attainment, but is not always indicative of other attributes the graduate may possess.
"Even if a graduate receives a lower than average classification, they may possess great interpersonal skills, team leadership skills and have participated in Union projects and societies.
"There needs to be some room for the classification system to take into account more than just academic success – to consider students holistically."
David Lammy, the Higher Education Minister, said: "While the UK degree is a highly valued and internationally recognised qualification, we believe that providing clear and transparent information is essential both for students and their future employers"
The University is currently launching the Sheffield Graduate Project which aims to make students consider and recognise their attributes and achievements outside of academic attainment.
Jennie Hurwood
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