Overview
- Official figures for 2024–25 show about 30% of UK degrees were classified as first class, nearly double the 15.8% recorded in 2010–11.
- The rise is concentrated at leading institutions, with Imperial College London at about 52–53% and Oxford at 34.1%, while UCL reached 41% and Durham, Manchester and Leeds reported roughly 40%, 38% and 37% respectively.
- Upper second-class awards have barely shifted over the period, edging from 47% to 48%, and the latest share of firsts remains below the pandemic peak of around 36%.
- Skills minister Jacqui Smith said the government is examining whether standards have eroded and if external exam review arrangements are still fit for purpose.
- The Office for Students has asked universities to review the algorithms used to calculate final classifications as experts and employers question the signalling value of a first.