First-class degrees are a cause for concern

The latest figures out from the Higher Education Statistics Agency may well fuel fears that grade inflation is rife in UK universities.

The statistics show the proportion of undergraduates being awarded first-class degrees has risen rapidly in the last four years.

The latest figures, from 2010-2011, reveal that almost one in six undergraduates at UK universities achieved a first (15.5%). This compares to one in eight (12.6%) in 2006-07. (I wonder what it was in the 1980s or 1960s)

The proportion of firsts for each university will be published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency on 23 February. It will be interesting to see whether particular groups of universities are awarding many more firsts than they used to be, or if all are.

(from the Guardian Thursday 12 January  2012)

This is just an extension of the rampant grade inflation that commenced in the school system.  First class degrees (and A grades at GCSE and A Level) are supposed to be some of the hardest to achieve in the world.  The more As or first class degrees that were given out devalues them and reduced their value.

Surely standards should be set so that only the best and brightest get first class degrees?

Unfortunately, the easier things are, the less valuable they are. The more difficult things are, the more valuable the achievement is. This is just basic economics and theory of supply and demand.....