What a HEAR Looks Like

The two exemplars on the right provide illustrations of the HEAR's sections and possible content. These were created following an initial wave of consultation regarding the format and layout of the Sheffield HEAR. Further discussions are needed to finalise the design.

Both exemplars conform to the official HEAR template, which was finalised by the national HEAR Implementation Steering Group on 14 April 2011, and fixed for a minimum of three years. It is based on the structure of the European Diploma Supplement, which the University of Sheffield can currently produce (on request). The information it contains will thus follow a standardised, and already familiar, format.

Overview of information contained in the HEAR (section numbers mirror the Diploma Supplement)

Section 1: Information identifying the holder of the qualification	Basic student details, e.g. name and student ID
Section 2: Information identifying the qualification	Qualification title and subject, awarding institution(s)
Section 3: Information on the level of the qualification	Level of study, duration, entry requirements
Section 4: Information on the contents and results gained	Programme description/requirements, academic transcript*
Section 5: Information on the function of the qualification	Access to further study, professional status
Section 6: Additional information	Verifiable extra-curricular awards, activities and achievements, e.g. prizes
Section 7: Certification of the HEAR	Date of issue, signature of Registrar, University 'stamp'
Section 8: Information on the national higher education system	Description of higher education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, diagram of higher education levels

* Some additional information is likely to be included here, e.g. titles of projects/dissertations and details about placements/study outside the University.

If you are interested in finding out more, you can download the national HEAR 'Starter Pack' on the right, which builds on extensive HEAR trial work and provides a framework for developing and implementing the HEAR, by establishing a core data set that should appear in all HEARs and the option for institutions to include, within defined and regulated parameters, ‘additional information’ to reflect the wider achievements of their students.