New analysis suggests that grade inflation at English universities has seen a decline for the first time in ten years. Across 144 institutions, the percentage of students awarded a first-class

degree in the academic year 2021/22 dropped by 4.6%, standing at 32.8% compared to the previous year's 37.4%.

This decline is noteworthy as it marks the first time the Office for Students (OfS) has observed a fall in the number of first-class degrees since the academic year 2010/11. The shift comes after universities in England pledged in July 2021 to address degree inflation.

However, despite the reduction in first-class degrees, the current figure remains more than double that of the 2010/11 academic year when it stood at 15.4%. Moreover, the number of first-class degrees has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Analysis by the PA news agency reveals that while the overall number of first-class degrees has fallen, half of them remain unexplained, representing a 4.8% decrease compared to the previous year. The OfS categorizes "unexplained" degrees as those that cannot be attributed to factors such as students' entry qualifications or subjects of study. Additionally, any adjustments made in response to the pandemic regarding the awarding of degrees also fall under the "unexplained" category.

Susan Lapworth, Chief Executive of the OfS, commended the progress in addressing grade inflation but emphasized that more needs to be done. She noted that unexplained inflation in grades could undermine the reputation of English higher education and expressed the need for continued steps to protect the value and credibility of qualifications.

Oxford University recorded the lowest level of grade inflation for first-class degrees over the past decade, with an increase of 7.9 percentage points from 28.5% in 2010/11 to 36.4% in 2021/22. Among England-based universities in the Russell Group, known for prestigious higher education organizations, Queen Mary University of London experienced the most significant rise, with the percentage of first-class degrees going from 15.4% to 45.8%. The University of Leeds followed closely, increasing from 17.6% to 47.5%.

In the academic year 2021/22, UCL awarded the highest proportion of first-class degrees, totaling 52%, while the University of Newcastle had the lowest, at 32.2%. While some progress has been made in addressing grade inflation, continued efforts are required to ensure that degrees remain a reliable and credible assessment of student achievement throughout their careers. Photo by Eirian Evans, Wikimedia commons.