First-class or first too many? UK universities face scrutiny as top grades surge
Nearly a third of UK graduates secured first-class degrees in 2024–25, up sharply from just 13 per cent in 2006–07, reigniting concerns over grade inflation. With elite universities leading the surge, regulators have stepped in to review grading systems. Employers warn the trend is eroding the value of classifications, forcing a rethink of how academic merit is judged.
Nearly a third of UK graduates secured first-class degrees in 2024–25, up sharply from just 13 per cent in 2006–07, reigniting concerns over grade inflation. With elite universities leading the surge, regulators have stepped in to review grading systems. Employers warn the trend is eroding the value of classifications, forcing a rethink of how academic merit is judged.
