ESSEX University has said it is going to “look carefully” at proposals aimed at reducing grade inflation at the institution as the number of first-class degrees continues to spiral upwards.
The increase in first class degree classifications at universities across Britain has seen Universities UK and GuildHE, which together represent almost every university in the UK, commit to slashing first class degrees as fears grow that top degrees are becoming devalued.
And Essex University has said in a statement that it will be considering the proposals and working with Universities UK (UUK), the body which represents vice-chancellors at universities.
The move comes after 41 per cent of Essex University graduates graduated with first class degrees in the 2020-21 university term – an increase of 27 per cent from ten years ago, when only 14 per cent of Essex students received top degrees.
The number of unexpected first-class degrees has also risen sharply, with of 30 per cent of students receiving so-called unexplained first class degrees in 2020-21.
This is a considerable rise on figures published ten years earlier when, in the 2010-11 university year, only two per cent of students received unexplained double firsts.
Now, Essex University has said it will consider proposals which aim to bring the number of double firsts back down to levels seen in 2019.
One reason behind the increase of good degrees is the implementing of what is known as the ‘no detriment’ policy to ensure students were not disadvantaged by the pandemic.
But a statement from UUK said that although the measures had to be put in place, universities “need to maintain the long-term value of UK degrees.”
A spokesman for Essex University said the university will work to maintain the value of good university degrees – though the university is yet to commit fully to UUK’s proposals.
He said: “We will work with UUK and other universities to ensure our sector has a fair, transparent and reliable approach to degree classification.”
“At Essex we already have rigorous systems in place to ensure the integrity of our degree classifications, including assessment by external examiners from outside of the university.”
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