Grade inflation warning as nearly 40% of students gain firsts

OfS expresses concern as more students win top grade again following pandemic-related policies

Universities have been warned against “normalising” post-Covid grade inflation, after the proportion of students receiving top grades rose again to reach almost 40 per cent.

Data released by the Office for Students on 12 May reveal that the proportion of students being given a first-class degree has more than doubled in the past 10 years. Much of the increase was described as “unexplained” by the regulator.