Universities in England have committed to reversing pandemic
grade inflation in first and 2.1 degrees.
In a first of its kind statement Universities UK (UUK) and
GuildHE members have committed to return to pre-pandemic levels
of ‘upper’ degree classification by 2023.
Measures to ensure students were not unfairly disadvantaged
during the unique circumstances of the pandemic contributed to
increases in the proportion of first and 2.1 undergraduate degree
awards.
The statement recognises that grade inflation which cannot be
explained by the developments in teaching and learning that
combined with students’ hard work to improve results in the prior
decade, risk undermining student, employer and public confidence
in the system.
Universities will take the pre-pandemic year of 2019 as a
benchmark for the commitment, when proactive action by
universities to protect the value of degrees was leading to a
levelling-off in the percentage of students achieving upper
degree awards.
By the end of 2022, members of UUK and GuildHE in England will
publish degree outcome statements, setting out actions to return
to pre-pandemic levels of classification. The outcome statements,
which will also include a review of progress against actions
previously committed to, will be published on the UUK website
with links to each institution’s statement as an effective list
of signatories. UUK and GuildHE will evaluate and update on
progress in early 2023.
Universities will also report progress to their governing bodies.
Professor Steve West CBE, President of Universities UK
and Vice Chancellor of UWE Bristol,
said:
“The UK’s universities have a global reputation for excellence
and we must keep confidence in the value of our degrees high.
“The pandemic brought uniquely challenging circumstances and
students who have graduated over the last three years should feel
proud of, and confident in, the qualifications they worked hard
to achieve.
“As we emerge and look to the future, we have an opportunity to
take meaningful action and strengthen our commitment to fair,
transparent and reliable degree classification.
“This is vital to ensure that grades remain meaningful to the
public, employers and students themselves, for the long term.”
Anthony McClaran, Chair of GuildHE and Vice Chancellor of
St Mary's University, Twickenham, said:
"Higher education institutions are strongly committed to
maintaining robust academic standards.
“During the pandemic we have rightly recognised the disruption
that students have faced and supported students' achievement to
be recognised as flexibly as possible. As we emerge from the
pandemic it is time to redouble our focus on protecting academic
standards and take strong action to ensure we maintain the wider
confidence and trust in the system."
Higher and Further Education Minister
said:
“I'm delighted to have worked with Universities UK and GuildHE on
this landmark statement – the first time ever that universities
have made a commitment of this nature.
“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.
“Hardworking students deserve to know that earning a first or
upper second really counts and that it carries weight with
employers – who in turn should be able to trust in the high value
and rigorous assessment of university courses.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- The commitment statement is attached to this email. It will
go live on the UUK website at 00.01
on Tuesday 5th July.
- The commitment statement has the backing of UUK's UK Board
and the GuildHE Executive
- This statement relates to England only although actions set
out above remain part of a UK wide framework.
- For more detail on grade awarding trends, HESA publish
data showing degree classification levels by provider and across
the sector over time.
- Earlier this year, UUK’s publication outlined
steps that universities have taken – including reviewing the
degree classification system and the way final grades are
calculated – and explains the impact the pandemic had on
the progress made, since many universities needed to change
their assessment policies.
- Before the pandemic, universities were setting out plans for
reviews and changes that were expected to see further progress
being made. UUK’s progress update is available here.
