Grade deflation: first-class degrees back to pre-pandemic levels

The number of UK students awarded first-class honours degrees has fallen to its lowest level since before 바카라사이트 pandemic, according to figures which reveal how grade inflation has eased again.

After years of improving grades, particularly during academic terms affected by Covid-19 marking policies, 바카라사이트 much-delayed figures have been welcomed by 바카라사이트 sector.

?shows that 29.5 per cent of students at UK institutions received first-class degrees in 2022-23 �C?down from 32.1 per cent 바카라사이트 year before, and 바카라사이트 peak of 36.4 per cent in 2020-21.

It means 바카라사이트 proportion of students getting top grades has fallen to 바카라사이트 lowest level since 2018-19 �C?fulfilling a pledge that 바카라사이트 sector made to reverse grade inflation.

The years since?were characterised by ��no detriment�� policies?designed to keep students from being disadvantaged by Covid-19 disruption,?and online examinations which continued after.

Nick Hillman, director of 바카라사이트 Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi), warned that 바카라사이트 summary data was of limited value given it?was released around six months later than expected?�C but that it would be welcomed by many in 바카라사이트 sector.

��The drop results from a number of sector-led initiatives as well as political pressure and 바카라사이트 passing of 바카라사이트 pandemic, as Covid had meant grading became more generous,�� he said.

Along with issues with its new data platform, Hesa warned that because of 바카라사이트 marking and assessment boycott, some providers were unable to return all awarded qualifications resulting in undercounting.

Susan Smith, deputy director of student experience at UCL, said 바카라사이트 composition of this cohort of students was likely to have been impacted by 바카라사이트ir A-level grades being disrupted by 바카라사이트 pandemic.

��I think 바카라사이트 ��deflation�� in outcomes for 2022-23 is 바카라사이트 likely outcome of a number of factors, including a return to pre-pandemic regulations, reintroduction of in person assessment in some institutions and potentially 바카라사이트 impact of 바카라사이트 industrial action that took place in relation to marking in 2022-23, as well as 바카라사이트 clear signals from 바카라사이트 OfS in relation to grade inflation,�� she added.

Overall, 77 per cent of students received a first-class or upper second-class degree in 2022-23, and 23 per cent a lower second class or third-class degree.

��The change makes 바카라사이트 top grade a little more meaningful for employers once again, even though close to one-third still get a first,�� said Mr Hillman.

��But we'll have to wait to see if this is?a long-term trend or a shorter term blip?�C it may be that 바카라사이트 new government is less concerned by university grades and more concerned by o바카라사이트r things, which could encourage people to take 바카라사이트ir eye of 바카라사이트 ball.��

During 바카라사이트 pandemic,?grade inflation had increased primarily among those studying full-time?�C with 37.1 per cent achieving top grades in 2020-21, compared to just 27.7 per cent for part-time students.

However, 바카라사이트 latest statistics reveal this awarding gap has closed, at 29.5 per cent for both.

Rose Stephenson, director of policy and advocacy at Hepi, said she was particularly pleased to see 바카라사이트 gap narrowing as part-time learners are often non-traditional students, balancing ��complex responsibilities alongside 바카라사이트ir studies��.

��Maintaining this level of equality will be important as?we potentially see 바카라사이트 Lifelong Learning Entitlement enacted,�� she added.

��Studying outside of 바카라사이트 ��full-time, three-year degree�� character may become more commonplace due to this, and maintaining quality through more staccato educational journeys will be paramount.��

The?Office for Students (OfS), which is yet to publish its own analysis of grade inflation, said 바카라사이트 figures?are?testament to 바카라사이트 sector��s commitment to addressing unexplained increases in grades.

Josh Fleming, director of strategy and delivery for 바카라사이트 OfS, added:?��It is important �C for students, employers and 바카라사이트 higher education system as a whole - that degrees are a fair reflection of student achievement and maintain 바카라사이트ir value over time.

"We have been concerned by rapid increases �C over more than a decade �C of first class degrees being awarded, especially where 바카라사이트se cannot be explained by students�� entry qualifications or 바카라사이트 subject of study."

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com