Archive · 16 Jan 2026
UK Universities Award More Top Degrees Than Predicted
More students in England are getting top grades in university than expected based on their previous school performance.
This has raised concerns that universities might be giving out too many top grades, making degrees less valuable.
The Office for Students, which oversees universities, says this could be because universities are lowering standards to attract more students or to rank higher in league tables.
Some universities, like Durham and the University of East London, have seen the biggest increases in top grades.
While universities say they are working to maintain standards, the regulator believes more needs to be done to ensure degrees truly reflect students' achievements.
More first-class degrees are being awarded in English universities than predicted by students' prior academic performance.
In 2023–24, 28.8% of graduates received first-class degrees, nearly double the level of 2010–11.
The Office for Students (OfS) found that almost two-thirds more first-class degrees were awarded than could be explained by factors like A-level results and student backgrounds.
Durham University and the University of East London recorded the largest unexplained increases in first-class degrees.
Universities face pressure to maintain standards amid concerns about grade inflation and the value of degrees.
- Who
- Office for Students (OfS), Universities in England
- What
- Increase in first-class degrees awarded
- When
- 2023–24 academic year
- Where
- England
- Why
- Concerns over grade inflation and declining academic standards
- Regulator
- Office for Students (OfS)
- Data Period
- 2023–24 academic year
- First-Class Degrees Awarded
- 28.8%
- Predicted First-Class Degrees
- 17.7%
- Universities with Highest Unexplained Increases
- Durham University, University of East London
- Durham University First-Class Degrees (2023–24)
- 39.6%
- University of East London First-Class Degrees (2023–24)
- 35.7%
- University of Buckingham First-Class Degrees (2023–24)
- 50%