The University is to trial a new grading system for degrees.

At least 20 institutions, including six members of the Russell Group, will trial a new grade point average system, giving degree classifications a number to show how high or low the overall mark was.

Universities involved in the trial include: Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Nottingham, Sheffield and Southampton. The trial will last until July 2014.

A spokesperson for the University said: “By being involved from the outset, the University has the maximum opportunity to ensure that any system that is developed is beneficial to the student learning experience at Leeds.”

It comes amid fears that the existing system of first, second and third class degrees is outdated and fails to properly mark out bright and weak students.

Maddy Keating