- A quarter of graduates are leaving uni with firsts compared to 17% five years ago
- In 1992 only 7% got them, implying universities have become a ‘softer touch’
- Minister is calling for change and fears courses are being ‘dumbed down’
Universities have been told they should not automatically bump up students who just miss out on a top degree amid fears about the rise of ‘soft firsts’.
There are concerns some may be upgrading borderline cases regardless of the circumstances in a move that may ‘undermine confidence in standards’.
New guidance warns institutions should not routinely give students leeway when they fall slightly below the grade boundaries of the degree classifications – first class, upper second, lower second and third.
The recommendations are from Universities UK, the body representing vice-chancellors which sets out standards of good practice across the sector.
There are growing calls for universities to stop giving out ‘soft firsts’ as 25 per cent of all UK students are now graduating with first class degrees
It follows calls from universities minister Jo Johnson for institutions to combat rampant grade inflation and ‘dumbing down’ of courses.
Mr Johnson said the pressure to ensure that students, who are paying £9,250 a year in fees, achieve the ‘good degrees’ that employers demand has led to grade inflation ‘ripping through’ the sector.
He has called on universities to halt the trend to restore confidence in the system.
A quarter of students at UK universities now graduate with a first-class degree, compared with 17 per cent five years ago.
The proportion receiving the top degree in 1992 was just 7 per cent. No specific institutions were singled out by the report.
But only 18 out of 112 universities surveyed by Universities UK do not give consideration to borderline cases.
Chris McGovern, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said universities were handing out ‘soft firsts’ and that degree standards needed more external scrutiny.
He said: ‘This dumbing down is eroding the value of degrees and young people are being defrauded. Soon, only postgraduate qualifications will matter.’
Universities minister Jo Johnson (pictured) says the pressure to ensure that students, who are paying £9,250 a year in fees, achieve the ‘good degrees’ that employers demand has led to grade inflation ‘ripping through’ the sector