Slowdown in rise of first-class degrees for students

THE RAPID rise in the proportion of students graduating with a first-class degree appears to be stalling.

Some 28.4 per cent achieved the top honour last year (2018/19), according to data published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency. This is double the 14 per cent who gained a first in 2008/09, but only a slight increase on 2017/18, when 27.8 per cent got the highest result.

The Office for Students said the latest figures show that the “long-term trend” of rises in firsts has been arrested.

Nicola Dandridge, the regulator’s chief executive, said: “This data shows us that the rapid increase in the rates of students being awarded first-class degrees has stalled.

“This arrests a long-term trend, with significant year-onyear increases having been seen since 2011.

“Previous analysis from the OfS found evidence of unexplained increases in the rates of first-class degrees at 94 per cent of universities.”

Ms Dandridge said the watchdog is analysing the data, looking at the proportion of firsts that cannot be explained by factors such as university entry grades, or the make-up of a student body.

“Grade inflation risks undermining public confidence in higher education for students, graduates and employers alike.”

Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, a university think-tank, said he believes a slowing down in the rate of increase may be the result of pressure on universities from individuals such as former Universities Minister Jo Johnson. He said universities award their own degrees and cannot ignore outside interests.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “It is vital that students, graduates and the public are confident in the value of a university degree, but the increasing proportion of students being awarded the top grades is undermining our world-class reputation.”