Graduate "records of achievement", which are expected to replace traditional degree classifications, are likely to include details about exam resits, dropped courses and failures.
A consultation by vice-chancellors, principals and quality chiefs has found near-unanimous support for the introduction of student "progress files" as early as 2002. They decided by a small majority to include a record of failure.
According to a joint report on the consultation, 53 per cent of institutions represented by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals said that transcripts "should identify those aspects of the curriculum that were not completed successfully". Support for recording failure was highest among the colleges and institutes of higher education, with 56 per cent of institutions represented by the Standing Conference of Principals in favour. Scottish institutions were split 50:50.
The paper said the sector was "clearly divided over the need to include information on failure or non-completion". But it recommended the transcript "should reflect the complete record of achievement" and should include details of what was not successfully completed.
The 1997 Dearing report into higher education recommended that the progress file should include a transcript "recording student achievement, which should follow a common format devised by institutions collectively" and should include a "means by which students can monitor, build and reflect upon their personal development".
It is widely expected that the progress files will eventually replace traditional degree classifications. Quality Assurance Agency chief executive John Randall has already called for the abolition of degree classifications. Writing in The THES earlier this month he said that it was time for universities to "seize the initiative" and admit that the degree classifications system had "had its day". He said it "fails miserably to offer a common yardstick", whereas transcripts could convey a "fuller and fairer picture".
Patricia Ambrose, chief executive of Scop, said the progress files would intensify the classification debate. "There are certainly a number of advocates within each of the representative groups who support getting rid of degree classifications," she said.
Universities overwhelmingly rejected moves to impose a "standard format" on the transcripts, but they have agreed to a universal set of minimum information. This will include details of the level of qualification achieved, the name of the awarding institution and a complete list of all units and programmes of study with the level of credit achieved. Other types of learning, such as work placements, will also be detailed.
The QAA is to set up a working group to take proposals further.