An article in the London Daily Telegraph shows that the number of first and upper second class degrees awarded by British universities has risen steadily over the last few decades. Their value to employers as an indicator of student quality has accordingly diminished.
David Barrett reports that:
The latest data shows that the criteria for awarding degrees has changed dramatically - despite complaints from many universities that grade inflation at A-level has made it hard for them to select candidates.
Traditionally, first class honours have been awarded sparingly to students who show exceptional depth of knowledge and originality.
But the new figures add further weight to a report by MPs last year which found that "inconsistency in standards is rife" and accused vice-chancellors of "defensive complacency".
We might note that the THE-QS rankings until 2009 and the QS rankings of last year have probably done quite a lot to encourage complacency by consistently overrating British universities especially Oxbridge and the London colleges.
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