4th July 2018 9:00
By Blue Tutors
Universities in the UK risk losing their credibility because of steadily increasing first class degrees according to a recent study by think tank Reform. Reported on the BBC, education secretary Damian Hinds said that something needs to be done to protect the value of university degrees. However, universities themselves say that any action by the government threatens their independence.
The number of first class degrees awarded almost doubled in the 12 years between 1997 and 2009, and has risen by 26% since 2010. Currently 75% of students graduate with a first class degree or a 2:1, a figure which was only 47% in the mid 90s. The university of Surrey is one of the highest awarders of firsts, giving the grade to 40% last year.
It’s claimed that the inflation is because senior managers place pressure on academics who mark exams to award more and more top grades in the hope that this will increase applications. The author of the report, Tom Richmond, says that the increasing grades are in no one’s interest because the eventual result will be to devalue those degrees, meaning that students will look to other universities or choose to study abroad.
The proposed solution is for students to sit standardised national assessments which would determine the grades they are awarded. The idea is that, nationally, 10% of students would be awarded a first, 40% a 2:1, 40% a 2:2 and 10% a third. While this might make it difficult for some universities to award many firsts or 2:1s at all, it’s claimed that hard working students would prefer this system so that their effort is valued. Damian Hinds said “that is why this government has put an end to grade inflation in GCSEs and A Levels, and why is it time for universities to do the same.”