One in four first class degrees given to students who achieved just Ds at A-level as school low achievers are turned into university high-flyers
- A reduction in the proportion of unexplained top grades has pleased teachers
One in four students who graduated with first-class degrees achieved only three Ds in their A-levels.
An analysis by the Office for Students showed that significant numbers of low achievers during school days were transformed into university high-flyers.
The figures are revealed as institutions struggle to crack down on grade inflation and as research also indicates that half of the top awards given to students last year could not be explained by prior attainment or background.
Susan Lapworth, chief executive of the OfS, said: ‘This report suggests that progress is being made in tackling the increases in top grades being awarded at universities and colleges that we have seen over the past decade.
‘That’s very welcome. But we’re not out of the woods yet as half of first-class degrees cannot be explained by students’ entry qualifications or the subject of study.
One in four students who graduated with first-class degrees achieved only three Ds in their A-levels
‘Inflation of grades that does not reflect actual student achievement is bad for students, graduates and employers – and it risks undermining the reputation of English higher education in the UK and beyond.
‘We are encouraged to see a reduction in the proportion of unexplained top grades.
‘But universities and colleges know that they need to continue to take the steps necessary to protect the value of their qualifications, now and over time.’ Around one-third of students graduated with a first-class award in 2022 despite pressure for universities to clamp down on grade inflation, the OfS statistics from yesterday revealed.
In 2021-22, some 56.2 per cent of students who entered higher education with A-level grades of AAA and above received a first-class degree.
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Students entering with A-level grades of AAB experienced the largest increase in first-class degrees between 2020-21 and 2021-22, doubling from 22.6 per cent to 47.1 per cent.
Yet 25.2 per cent who managed only three D grades scooped the top award. Overall, 79.6 per cent received a first or second-class degree.
Ms Lapworth added: ‘We recognise there are likely to be a range of factors – including improved teaching – that could lead to an increase in the number of firsts awarded.
‘But the sustained increase in unexplained firsts and 2:1s since 2010-11 continues to cause us concern.
‘Students, graduates and employers must have confidence that degrees awarded represent a reliable assessment of achievement, with qualifications remaining credible throughout a student’s career.
‘Our revised approach to regulating quality gives us the tools we need to intervene where this is not the case.
‘Where we think awarding practices may not meet our requirements, then we can and will use those tools to investigate further.’
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