Analysis: Unmerited First-Class Degrees at UK Universities

The Times recently reported that nearly half of all first-class degrees awarded at UK universities might be unmerited, sparking concerns over grade inflation. This follows findings from the Office for Students (OfS) that many universities award first-class degrees at rates disproportionate to students’ prior academic performances. The OfS noted that nearly a quarter of students with low A-level grades went on to graduate with firsts. But do these concerns apply to St Andrews — often stereotyped as a place where students, distracted by social life and traditions, easily forget about their academics?

The statistics for St Andrews speak for themselves. With 32.8 per cent of its students graduating with a first-class and 54 per cent with 2:1 degree, St Andrews surpasses even institutions like the University of Cambridge. However, unlike institutions flagged by OfS for unexplained grade inflation — where the rise in top grades is difficult to justify given student intake quality — St Andrews’ academic rigour offers a clear counter-narrative. 

According to the findings from the OfS, performing arts institutions such as the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music are among the worst offenders in awarding inflated grades, where the majority of students achieve firsts despite the low A-level grades of the students accepted to these schools. Other universities like the University of Manchester and King’s College London also show unusually high rates of unexplained firsts. But St Andrews does not fit this mould. It consistently ranks number one for entry standards and student experience and number two for teaching quality according to the Complete University Guide. Unlike universities where unexplained increases in first-class degrees threaten to erode public confidence in higher education, St Andrews is known for fostering a culture of hard-earned academic achievement. 

Part of the reason St Andrews stands apart is its four-year-degree system which, although contestable from the English educational standpoint, provides a deeper and more comprehensive academic experience compared to the English three-year structure. This additional year allows the students here to explore their subjects in greater depth, achieving higher quality research. Additionally, unlike institutions that might push students to high grades in order to artificially boost rankings, St Andrews maintains an uncompromising standard of excellence. The professors are not only leaders in their fields, but are also deeply committed to helping their students become leaders in these fields as well through challenging seminars, independent research, and a rigorous curriculum. 

In the broader context of grade inflation concerns, the success of St Andrews graduates is not only justifiable but exemplary. While the OfS report highlights issues at other universities, it is essential to recognize that the achievements of St Andrews students are earned through hard work and intellectual challenges presented by the unique environment of the university. 

So, while concerns about the devaluation of first-class degrees may be valid in many cases throughout the UK, they certainly do not apply to St Andrews. The high number of 'good honours' awarded at St Andrews reflects genuine student excellence, not an institutional failure to maintain academic standards. The students here are not merely coasting to top honours, they are meeting and exceeding some of the highest academic expectations in the UK.

Photo from the University of St Andrews website