The plans, due to be announced on Tuesday as part of the new government framework for universities aim to treat students more as paying customers armed with better information about their degrees. The information is said to include course dropout rates, graduate salaries, what the course involves, teaching and one-on-one tutorial hours, the amount of independent work expected and how regularly they will be assessed.

The call for more frank information about degrees comes as an increase in tuition fees are expected to be announced later this year. Lord Mandelson said students would be “pickier” about their degree courses if faced with higher tuition fees, he added: “It’s a change in culture and attitude that we want to encourage”.

A review of university funding will begin later this year but no concrete plans will be announced until after the next general election. However, it has been reported that top British universities are pressing for a hike in tuition fees sooner to help close the gap between British and American universities. Tuition fees for domestic students is currently capped at £3,145 whereas students in the USA can pay up to £20,000 per year. Universities UK has suggested the cap on UK fees could be raised to £5,000 whilst some universities are calling for the cap to be removed completely.