MORE than one in four students who graduated from Essex University last year received a first class honours degree, according to the latest figures.

Data released by the Higher Education Statistics Authority showed that of 3,010 students graduating in 2018/19 - 800 achieved the highest possible attainment which equates to 27 per cent.

There were 1,470 upper second class honours handed out, 645 lower second class degrees achieved and 90 third class.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has previously warned the increasing proportion of students being awarded top grades is “undermining our world-class reputation”.

He warned universities to use their awarding powers responsibly and said grades should not be inflated in order to boost league table performances.

However, first class degrees at Essex University have remained at a consistent level over the past four years.

Again, 27 per cent of people achieved firsts two years ago and 29 per cent the year before that.

In 2015/16, 24 per cent got top grades and exactly a quarter the year before that.

Essex University was one of 124 universities across the country where at least 25 per cent of students graduating achieved a first.

Of the main, non-specialist universities, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine gave out the highest proportion of firsts, with 48 per cent of degrees awarded the top result.

The most difficult mainstream universities to achieve top honours were the University of West Scotland and St Mary’s University College.

Essex University declined to comment on the figures.