The proportion of top degrees awarded to students has fallen for the second year in a row, figures show.
Three in ten (30%) undergraduate degrees in the UK were first-class in 2022/23, compared with 32% in 2021/22 and 36% in 2020/21, according to data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
The proportion of degrees awarded a 2:2 rose to a fifth (20%) in 2022/23, compared with 17% in 2021/22 and 14% in 2020/21.
The latest HESA figures also show that nearly half (48%) of degrees were awarded a 2:1 in 2022/23, while 3% were awarded a third or a pass.
It comes after universities across the country pledged to bring the proportion of top degrees awarded back in line with pre-pandemic levels in July 2022.
The change makes the top grade a little more meaningful for employers once again, even though close to one-third still get a first
Nick Hillman, director of the Hepi think tank
The pandemic saw a rise in grade inflation after a number of institutions adopted “no detriment” policies on final grading as a result of disruption.
This approach typically ensured that students would be awarded a final grade no lower than the university’s most recent assessment of their attainment.
More female students gained a first (31%) than male students (28%) in 2022/23, the figures show.
Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) think tank, said: “The continuing decline in first class honours will be welcomed by many, given the many years of grade inflation that occurred in the past.
Read More
“The drop results from a number of sector-led initiatives as well as political pressure and the passing of the pandemic, as Covid-19 had meant grading became more generous.
“The change makes the top grade a little more meaningful for employers once again, even though close to one-third still get a first.
“But we’ll have to wait to see if this is a long-term trend or a shorter-term blip – it may be that the new government is less concerned by university grades and more concerned by other things, which could encourage people to take their eye off the ball.”
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
