Universities have pledged to reduce first-place awards for students by reversing degree inflation to pre-pandemic levels.
Because tutors made accommodations for students who had to work remotely during lockdown, top marks increased over the past two years.
Last year, a record 84% of students received at least a 2:1, compared to 38% of students who received a first.
Universities agreed yesterday to lower grades to 2019 levels by 2023. This is the first time that a university has vowed to cut grade inflation to a particular level.
In comparison to 2021, this would probably result in an 8 percentage point decline in firsts and a 5 percentage point decline in 2:1s.
In the pandemic many universities adopted ‘no detriment’ policies. These tended to ensure students would not receive a final grade lower than their most recent assessment. In a statement, Universities UK and Guild HE, which represent vice chancellors, said: ‘We cannot lose sight of the need to maintain the value of a degree.’
Universities minister Michelle Donelan said: ‘Just as the Government is restoring pre-pandemic grading at GCSE and A-Level by 2023, today’s statement will ensure that universities are also eliminating the grade inflation that occurred over the pandemic, and on the same timetable.
‘Together, we are taking action to restore high standards across our education system.’