Degree grades shake-up proposal

More students are getting the higher degree levels

The classification of UK degrees into firsts, seconds and thirds could be scrapped under plans proposed by a government-backed task force.

A review of exam grades is set to call for a more precise way to distinguish between students' abilities, reports The Times Higher Education Supplement.

More than half of students now achieve either a first or a 2:1 degree.

Employers want to be able to clarify students' achievements - difficult when so many have the same of degree.

The Times Higher says the "scoping group", appointed to examine the grading system, has decided that the current method does not provide enough information about students.

First of many

But it is not expected that its report, due out next month, will propose an alternative system.

Speaking for the group, Universities UK said it was too early to say that the present system of grading was to be scrapped.

A spokesperson said: "This is speculation prior to the publication of any report. It is too early to say that first, second and third Class degrees will be a thing of the past.

"The group is looking at what might be better ways of summarising a student's achievement - that is what it was set up to do."

The most typical degree award is now a 2:1, and there have been complaints that the awarding of this level to so many students reveals too little about the differences between candidates.

Among students taking their first degrees, 55% achieve a first or 2:1, compared with only 25% 10 years ago.

The leading universities give an even higher proportion of top degrees to students, making it even harder for employers to make judgements about their skills.

The Russell Group of prestigious universities awards a first or 2:1 to more than two-thirds of students. Last year Cambridge University awarded a first to 21.7% of students and a 2:1 to 50.4% of students.

Transparent

The current system has many such differences in degree awards.

While less than 10% of Glasgow University graduates are given a first, at Warwick University the number of firsts has doubled over five years to more than 20%.

The government has called for a more "transparent" system which shows the differences between individual graduates - and which establishes a clearer picture of what degrees are worth.

This has prompted debate over whether students should leave university with a "transcript" showing in much greater detail their progress and achievements.