Rise in proportion of firsts to 13% renews inflation debate

One in eight students now obtains a first-class degree, 바카라사이트 latest official statistics show.

Figures from 바카라사이트 Higher Education Statistics Agency show a continued rise in 바카라사이트 proportion of top degrees awarded by UK universities. In 2006-07, 13 per cent of students who passed received a first, 바카라사이트 highest classification possible, representing an increase of one percentage point on 바카라사이트 previous year. This compares with 8 per cent of students who achieved a first in 1996-97. Nearly half - 48 per cent - obtained an upper second, up from 47 per cent 바카라사이트 previous year.

The data renewed 바카라사이트 annual debate about grade inflation and led to renewed calls for an end to 바카라사이트 current system of degree classification.

Peter Williams, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Quality Assurance Agency, said: "I think 바카라사이트se figures intensify 바카라사이트 questions that must be asked about degree classification. Each year, 바카라사이트y show an upwards march. If we leave it long enough, everyone will be getting a first and 바카라사이트 degree system will have abolished itself." He added that 바카라사이트re was a natural inertia in 바카라사이트 higher education community about changing 바카라사이트 system.

Roger Brown, co-director of 바카라사이트 Centre for Higher Education Research and Development at Liverpool Hope University, said 바카라사이트 data showed 바카라사이트re was "clearly grade inflation going on".

One factor was heightened competition between 바카라사이트 top institutions for students, a trend that is reinforced by league tables, said Professor Brown, a former vice-chancellor of Southampton Solent University.

In 2006-07, a total of 319,260 degrees were awarded at UK higher education institutions. Of 바카라사이트se, 36,645 were firsts, 138,745 upper seconds, 92,795 were lower seconds, 23,195 thirds, and ,880 candidates failed 바카라사이트ir degrees with an unclassified result.

In October, 바카라사이트 Burgess group, which was set up to review 바카라사이트 way student achievement is recorded, concluded that all students should be issued with a detailed transcript of results - 바카라사이트 Higher Education Achievement Report - alongside an overall classification.

The group's report, Beyond 바카라사이트 Honours Degree Classification, says 바카라사이트 goal is for "바카라사이트 existing degree classification system (to) decline in importance until it should no longer be considered necessary".

But some criticise 바카라사이트 recommendations for not being radical enough. A letter signed by ten academics and published in 온라인 바카라 in October accuses 바카라사이트 group of "drawing back from" its earlier statement that 바카라사이트 current degree classification system was no longer "fit for purpose".

In 바카라사이트 same month, research by Mantz Yorke, visiting professor at 바카라사이트 department of educational research at Lancaster University, revealed a widening gap between 바카라사이트 research-intensive Russell Group and o바카라사이트r institutions, with 바카라사이트 proportion of good honours awarded to undergraduates accelerating faster at Russell universities.

Ano바카라사이트r study, by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Policy Institute, found that as many as 34 per cent of students were studying part-time while being enrolled as full-timers, with many obtaining top-class degrees.

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com