Percentage % Undergraduate Honours degree: Postgraduate Degree (credit achieved after 2002): Postgraduate Degree (credit achieved in 2002): 70 – 100: First Class Honours: Distinction: Distinction: 60 – 69: Upper Second Class Honours Third-class Honours (40% – 50%). Professor of education, Alan Smithers of the University of Buckingham, said universities were “free to award as many firsts as they like” as they are not constrained like national exams, such as the GCSEs and A-Levels.. If you like what you're reading online, why not take advantage of our subscription and get unlimited access to all of Times Higher Education's content? The difference of 2.3% is statistically significant (95% CI [0.5%, 4.1%]) (1). According to Times Higher Education, the University of Manchester awarded 30% of graduates a first-class degree in the 2016/17 academic year, with over 80% of students awarded either a first or an upper second-class degree. See our entry requirements. – Kingston University: 14.6% to 33.6%. Of those who completed undergraduate degrees last summer, 110,475 students across the UK (28 per cent) were awarded a first. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, almost 50% of all full-time graduates achieved a 2.1 in the academic year of 2017/18. Awards of upper second class classifications have also increased, but the rise in first class awards in particular has caught the eye. In 2012-13, the first year higher fees were charged, 18% got a first. Men and women achieved an equal rate of 17 percent each. 26 Table 2: Models used to simulate influence of degree algorithms at institutional level . The proportion of graduates awarded first-class degrees at the University of the Creative Arts in Canterbury almost trebled from 10.4% in 2010 to 29.5% last year. A Department for Education spokesman said it is “concerning” that the “continued increase in firsts across the sector is not proportionate to improving standards”. However, at the University of Surrey last year, 41 percent of its students were awarded first-class degrees, a figure double what it was just five years ago. Close to a quarter (24 percent) got a first-class degree last year while only 21 percent scored a lower second grade. THE DataPoints is designed with the forward-looking and growth-minded institution in view. Overall, 26% of graduates who completed their first undergraduate degree in the 2016-17 academic year achieved a first. Registration is free and only takes a moment. 32 The first-class degree or often commonly referred to as “first”, is the highest academic achievement at the undergraduate level in UK universities. 32.1 Classification is permitted on honours degree programmes; however, unless provision is made within this Code, non-degree undergraduate modular awards are not classified. Students studying full-time had a 17 percent pass rate at this level; those studying part-time had a 15 percent rate. As with all UK-based universities, we classify degrees as follows: 1 (a so-called ‘First’ - the highest level of degree classification that can be achieved), 2.1 (an Upper Second), 2.2 (a Lower Second) and 3 (a Third). Of those gaining a classified first degree, the proportion who obtained a first or upper second has shown a steady increase from 68% in 2012/13 to 75% in 2016/17. In 2016, the University of Surrey awarded a first class degree to 41% of students whilst at UEA they have almost trebled. The proportion of university students in England awarded first class degrees has increased by 88 per cent in the last eight years, the higher education watchdog has found. There was also a 5 per cent rise in 2:1s to just over 187,000. The first-class degree or often commonly referred to as “first”, is the highest academic achievement at the undergraduate level in UK universities. The University of Warwick does not follow this trend, with only a 5% increase of first-class degrees from 22% in 2006-2007 to 27% in 2016-2017 and the proportion of 2:1 degrees remaining at 54%. 32 At 10 institutions more than 90 per cent of students managed to attain the two highest degree classes, while at almost a quarter of the country’s universities at least 30 per cent of those graduating got a first. Percentage of 2013/14 and 2016/17 qualifiers gaining a first or upper second class degree . 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The University of Stirling saw the biggest increase with an increase of 16.2 per cent in first class degrees awarded between 2010-2011 and 2015-2016. 44.6% of Engineers received a first in 2016/17, and 44% received a 2:1. You'll get full access to our website, print and digital editions. Almost half of the first class degrees awarded by universities cannot be explained and grade inflation is still a problem, the student regulator says.Students entering university with A … T hree quarters of graduates now obtain a first class degree or a 2:1 as the Office for Students warns it will name and shame universities found to be deliberately inflating grades.. Percentage of first class degrees awarded in 2015/16 Released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), the data also shows law students are more likely to … Just 55 per cent of university chiefs thought the removal of number caps was “highly beneficial”, according to PA Consulting’s annual higher education report. For example, in order to obtain a First at Glasgow University, you need to be getting 18/22 or an A5 overall. Some of the universities with significant changes include: – Anglia Ruskin University from 14.5% to 36.7%. The subject area with the highest number of students was business and administrative studies, accounting for one in seven of those studying, while 66 per cent of research doctorates were awarded in science subjects. Thus, at the University of Cape Town and the University of South Africa (UNISA), the percentages are calibrated as follows: a first-class pass is given for 75% and above, a second (division one) for 70 - 74%, a second (division two) for 60% - 69%, and a third for 50 - 59%. Thus, at the University of Cape Town and the University of South Africa (UNISA), the percentages are calibrated as follows: a first-class pass is given for 75% and above, a second (division one) for 70 - 74%, a second (division two) for 60% - 69%, and a third for 50 - 59%. Get a month's unlimited access to THE content online. It saw levels graduating with the top degree increase from 15.1% in 2011 to a stunning 39.2% last year. Of those who completed undergraduate degrees last summer, 110,475 students across the UK (28 per cent) were awarded a first. Compared to other subjects, only 13.4 percent of students graduated with a first class degree, which is about 10 percent lower than the total average of 23.6 percent for all non-clinical subject areas (see table). The Press Association’s survey shows the most widely awarded degree is the upper second, of which 51 percent of graduates received. In 2016/17, 26% gained a first class degree compared to 18% in 2012/13 (see figure 17). Men and women achieved an equal rate of 17 percent each. Overall, 26% of graduates who completed their first undergraduate degree in the 2016-17 academic year achieved a first. Damian Hinds has previously called on the Office for Students (OfS) to “deal firmly” with any institutions “found to be unreasonably inflating grades”. The British undergraduate degree classification system is a grading structure for undergraduate degrees or bachelor's degrees and integrated master's degrees in the United Kingdom. According to the UK's Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), an average of 16.5 percent of students studying for their first degree in the academic year of 2011 to 2012 achieved a First. Develop your research skills. In 2018, the percentage of first-class degrees awarded was 42% – a 250% percentage increase on the amount awarded in 2008. Only 14.4 per cent of degrees were awarded first-class honours in 2009-10 – but now two in every seven graduates gained top class degrees in 2017-18, the latest data shows. The University of Surrey, which was already identified last year as having the biggest increase in the share of firsts in the sector in recent years, awarded an even greater share in 2016-17, up from 41 per cent in 2015-16 to 44 per cent, the second-highest in the country after Imperial. Home About Facts and figures Undergraduate Degree Classifications Undergraduate Degree Classifications A table of every college's Norrington score is provided here and the user can select to sort by rank or college name. At Warwick University, the proportion of first-class degrees rose from 22% in 2006-7 to 27% a decade later, and the proportion of 2:1s remained the same at 54… According to the latest data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency on degrees awarded by universities in 2016-17, many of those with the highest percentages of 2:1s and firsts were specialist institutions like music and drama colleges. First-class Honours (70% and higher). The result means more than one in three students at Huddersfield University now achieves a first class honours degree. The University of Warwick does not follow this trend, with only a 5% increase of first-class degrees from 22% in 2006-2007 to 27% in 2016-2017 and the proportion of 2:1 degrees remaining at 54%. 26 Table 2: Models used to simulate influence of degree algorithms at institutional level . The proportion of first class degrees has increased by two per cent each year since 2013/14 and four-fold since 1994/5, according to figures published by the … In terms of firsts only, Imperial College London awarded the highest share, excluding specialist institutions, with 45 per cent achieving this degree class in 2016-17. In 2012-13, the first year higher fees were charged, 18% got a first. Latest Hesa data on degree classification shows where increase in top grades was highest in 2016-17. The highest number of first class degrees on record were handed out last year, with almost one in three students graduating with top marks amid concern about grade inflation. Excluding these, there was still an increase – to 36 – in the number of mainstream universities where at least 80 per cent of students got a first and 2:1. This is the lower division of a second-class degree. Both the methodology of the OfS study and its conclusion came in for some trenchant criticism within the higher education sector. First-class Honours (70% and higher). Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of the OfS, has said the grade inflation since 2010 is “significant" and "unexplained”, adding that the sector must “quickly get to grips” with the issue. The latest figures come amid mounting concern about grade inflation, with both the higher education regulator and Education Secretary both urging universities to take action over the issue. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, almost 50% of all full-time graduates achieved a 2.1 in the academic year of 2017/18. 32.1 Classification is permitted on honours degree programmes; however, unless provision is made within this Code, non-degree undergraduate modular awards are not classified. They said it has led to: “Reduced entry standards and grade inflation, the rise of unconditional offers, increased class sizes, poor experiences for some students, falling enrolments for less prestigious institutions and reluctance to collaborate with local competitors.”, One vice-Chancellor told the report: “We have been sleepwalking into the predictable workings of an unregulated mass market.". Students studying full-time had a 17 percent pass rate at this level; those studying part-time had a 15 percent rate. Universities will hand first-class degrees to every student within 38 years if grade inflation continues at its current rate. Statistics sent from the University disclose that Engineering students, in both the summer of 2015/16 and 2016/17, were awarded with the highest percentage of Hons I classifications out of any department at Bristol. Overall, 68 per cent of students now end up with a first or upper second-class degree, a rise of two per cent in a year. In percentage terms this amounts to 81% - a difficult task by standard. Second-class Honours ( 50% -70%). The Hesa statistics on degree classifications were released as part of a larger dataset on UK students that for the first time has been made available as an open resource. First-class degree. This is based on four classifications: full-time study, part-time study, men and women. Like a first-class honours, the number of students achieving a 2.1 has increased significantly in the past few years. 40 Table 1: Simulation of marking using the full marking range . Last month the higher education watchdog warned universities to curb their “spiralling” grade inflation. Meanwhile, 15 institutions saw an increase in the share of firsts and 2:1s they awarded rise by 5 percentage points or more, including University College Birmingham, where the proportion rose 13.2 percentage points and St Mary’s University, Twickenham (13 percentage points). It includes data on the number of students by characteristics such as gender, ethnicity and subject studied as well as the level of degree. attaining first and upper second class degrees between 2010-11 and 2016-17, meaning that the sector-level increase of 11.6 percentage points in first class degree attainment over this time period cannot be explained by these factors alone. First-class degree. – University of Bradford: 10.8% to 35.1%. For example, in order to obtain a First at Glasgow University, you need to be getting 18/22 or an A5 overall. This works out at an approximate one in six ratio. We rely on advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism. At 10 institutions more than 90 per cent of students managed to attain the two highest degree classes, while at almost a quarter of the country’s universities at least 30 per cent of those graduating got a first. Bernard Rivers, a retired economist and Cambridge graduate, looked at data published in the Cambridge University Reporter on the classes of degrees awarded by the institution between 1960 and 2000. Biggest increases in first-class degrees in mainstream universities 2010-11 to 2015-16 University of Surrey 19.3% to 41.2% University of East Anglia 12.5% to 34% According to the latest data published by the Office for Students (OfS) at one institution the percentage of students awarded first class degrees touched 40%. Universities are competing to pull in the punters, and if they can offer a high likelihood of getting a first, it is a big draw.”, He added: “In the long term it will damage the credibility of our education system. Percentage of 2013/14 and 2016/17 qualifiers gaining a first or upper second class degree . Eight out of 10 students got a first or a 2:1 at almost 50 UK universities last year, according to the latest figures on degree classifications. University - percentage First class awards The proportion of degrees awarded (excluding unclassified and other) in the first class category increased from 14.7% in … Like a first-class honours, the number of students achieving a 2.1 has increased significantly in the past few years. Home About Facts and figures Undergraduate Degree Classifications Undergraduate Degree Classifications A table of every college's Norrington score is provided here and the user can select to sort by rank or college name. Find out more, The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. You need to be a subscriber to join the conversation. “We have urged universities to tackle this issue and the Office for Students will use its powers to drive change if the sector does not quickly get to grips with this issue.”. The system has been applied in other countries and regions. The spokesman went on:  “A key strength of our higher education sector is its independence, but universities have a duty to maintain the value of the degrees they award. a looming career crisis. The OfS threatened institutions with sanctions, including fines or even de-registration, if they fail to take action over the issue. The proportion of graduates awarded first-class degrees at the University of the Creative Arts in Canterbury almost trebled from 10.4% in 2010 to 29.5% last year. 38 Figure 23: Upper degree awards (% of classified degrees), by student characteristics, 2016/17 . In a majority of universities this is the highest honours that can be attained with roughly only 10 % of students reaching this level. The lifting of student number controls in England in 2015 gave universities free rein to recruit as many undergraduates as they see fit - but the move has led to accusations that they now act like businesses, seeking to maximise their revenue by recruiting as many students as possible. 38 Figure 23: Upper degree awards (% of classified degrees), by student characteristics, 2016/17 . attaining first and upper second class degrees between 2010-11 and 2016-17, meaning that the sector-level increase of 11.6 percentage points in first class degree attainment over this time period cannot be explained by these factors alone. Most universities follow a model based on the British system. This is the lower division of a second-class degree. Law has the lowest number of first class degrees awarded in the UK, according to the latest data by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).. The table below shows the percentage of each class of honours degree awarded across the UK, by year. Some other snapshots from the data include that 57 per cent of all undergraduates in 2016-17 were female, 12 per cent of all students were known to have a disability and one-fifth of those coming to study in the UK from abroad were from China. another year-on-year increase in the share of students achieving a first, Teaching and Learning IT Support Assistant, Professor / Head of Department of Economics & Finance, Receive World University Rankings news first, Get job alerts, shortlist jobs and save job searches, Participate in reader discussions and post comments, Unlimited access to news, views, insights & reviews. Yorkshire university changes in first class degrees: - The University of Bradford10.8 per cent - 35.1 per cent - The University of Huddersfield 15.1 per cent - 39.2 per cent At Warwick University, the proportion of first-class degrees rose from 22% in 2006-7 to 27% a decade later, and the proportion of 2:1s remained the same at … Most universities follow a model based on the British system. We urge you to turn off your ad blocker for The Telegraph website so that you can continue to access our quality content in the future. Education in Pakistan is overseen by the Federal Ministry of Education and the provincial governments, whereas the federal government mostly assists in curriculum development, accreditation and in the financing of research and development.Article 25-A of Constitution of Pakistan obligates the state to provide free and compulsory quality education to children of the age group 5 to 16 years. 31.5% of White graduates got a first class degree – this was the highest percentage out of all ethnic groups, followed by graduates with Mixed ethnic backgrounds (26.2%) White graduates were over twice as likely as Black graduates to get a first class degree – University of Northumbria: 16% to 36.7%. Students who left school last year with CCD or below at A-level were almost three times more likely to graduate with first class honours than they were in 2010-11, according to the regulator’s own research. Second-class Honours ( 50% -70%). In 2016, the University of Surrey awarded a first class degree to 41% of students whilst at UEA they have almost trebled. The proportion of first class degrees has increased by two per cent each year since 2013/14 and four-fold since 1994/5, according to figures published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). For most undergraduate degrees with The Open University, previous qualifications aren’t required. Universities will hand first-class degrees to every student within 38 years if grade inflation continues at its current rate. Most of the universities with the highest proportions of first and 2:1s were highly selective institutions such as the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Universities are in fierce competition to attract students and offering a high proportion of top degrees is seen as one way to entice school leavers to an institution. Lower Second Class. University - percentage First class awards The proportion of degrees awarded (excluding unclassified and other) in the first class category increased from 14.7% in 2005/06 to 17.0% in 2009/10 or from 441 to 571 firsts. The figures come as vice-Chancellors have expressed concern over universities’ falling entry requirements following the removal of the student number cap. OfS concluded that 13.9 percentage points worth of first class degree attainment evident in 2018 remained ‘unexplained’; this was a rise of 2.4 percentage points from the previous year. The University of Phoenix (UOPX or UOP) is a for-profit university headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.Founded in 1976, the school confers certificates and degrees in over 100 certificate programs and degree programs at the certificate, associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree levels. The report’s survey of 160 vice-Chancellors found that some voiced concern that “intense competition” between universities for shrinking pools of qualified recruits has had a “damaging” impact. Once registered you can read a total of 3 articles each month, plus: Already registered or a current subscriber?Sign in now, New analysis of Hesa data shows that at least a quarter of students get a first at a third of UK universities, Latest Hesa data show that share of students with top degree has risen significantly since 2012-13, Minister outlines plans for TEF and new regulator to tackle problem, Review says stall in the rise of first and widespread commitment to ‘statement of intent’ is already protecting degree standards, Murdoch gives the language another year and backs away from proposal to sideline some academics from research, Pandemic or no pandemic, academics should try to find time for regular rethinking of their curricula and methods, says Jessica Johnson, Project shows that when students compare their work with others, it is more effective than lecturers providing comments. According to the UK's Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), an average of 16.5 percent of students studying for their first degree in the academic year of 2011 to 2012 achieved a First. Third-class Honours (40% – 50%). The table below shows the percentage of each class of honours degree awarded across the UK, by year. The University of Stirling saw the biggest increase with an increase of 16.2 per cent in first class degrees awarded between 2010-2011 and 2015-2016. Chris McGovern, a former Government advisor and director of the Campaign for Real Education, said: “Qualifications are being devalued. This is based on four classifications: full-time study, part-time study, men and women. 40 Table 1: Simulation of marking using the full marking range . In percentage terms this amounts to 81% - a difficult task by standard. Compared to other subjects, only 13.4 percent of students graduated with a first class degree, which is about 10 percent lower than the total average of 23.6 percent for all non-clinical subject areas (see table). It is more difficult to get a first class degree in law than it is in any other subject, including medicine https://t.co/Vh4bOyPWah The proportion of students awarded first class degrees in 2018-19 Overall, 29.5% of students graduated in the summer of 2019 with a first class degree but, of that figure, nearly half (14.3 percentage points) of it could not be explained by changes in the graduate population. Just register and complete your career summary. This works out at an approximate one in six ratio. Huddersfield University was one of several institutions with significant increases in students getting the first class degree. Last year, the former universities minister Jo Johnson said that grade inflation was “ripping through English higher education” as plans were unveiled to assess its impact in the teaching excellence framework. Joining them this year as institutions where nine out of 10 students got these marks were Imperial College London, UCL and Durham University, all of which were below this threshold in 2015-16. If you find yourself thinking, "I've been to all my lectures and seminars, … He found that the percentage of graduates awarded a first-class or upper-second-class honours degree across all subjects increased from 34 per cent to 78 per cent between 1960 and 2014. He found that the percentage of graduates awarded a first-class or upper-second-class honours degree across all subjects increased from 34 per cent to 78 per cent between 1960 and 2014. It shows the changes in students awarded first class degrees between 2010-11 and 2018-19. 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