Grade inflation

The Education Secretary is calling on universities to end grade inflation to maintain the UK university sector’s world class reputation.

Key facts: 

  • Analysis published by the Office for Students shows that 27 per cent of students obtained a first-class honours degree in 2016-17, up from 16 per cent in 2010-11.
  • The Education Secretary has called on universities to ensure that there is only a steep rise in the number of firsts and 2:1s awarded if this can be explained in terms of improved performance, and for the Office for Students – when they have their full range of powers later this year – to challenge any institutions that record an unjustifiable rise.
  • It cannot be right that students in one year are awarded higher grades that those in previous years unless this reflects a higher level of achievement.
  • We owe it to the hardworking students who have earned those top grades to ensure that there is consistency between years in grading. 

Why this matters: 

Our universities are world-class and world leading, with four ranked among the top ten in the world, and attract thousands of international students. We must ensure that there is no artificial grade inflation in order to protect our global reputation.

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