Concerning grade inflation (Universities launch code to address the issue over degree grade inflation, 10 October), the information on the growing numbers of upper 2nd-class and best degrees indicates a right away correlation with the creation of college league tables. British universities are self-reliant; not like A-stages and GCSEs, universities set their very own standards and mark their students’ paintings within extensive guidelines.
Importantly, they also set their personal policies for how a scholar’s marks are aggregated to derive their diploma classification, and there is a giant version in those regulations. Combined with intense opposition between universities to recruit new students following the lifting of the scholar quantity cap, we have a fixed of circumstances that actively encourage universities to hold or improve their league desk function to grow the share of proper stages.
Unfortunately, the idea that growing verbal descriptions of different standards will clear up the problem has been followed within the face of all the proof that this can not convey consistency. Agreeing on the means of words consisting of “sturdy,” “sound,” and “superior” is an impossible undertaking.
More to factor, for most establishments, a scholar’s degree category is primarily based on mixed marks derived from coursework and checks within each course. To attain a first, is a pupil to demonstrate “wonderful and hassle-solving abilties” in each piece of work?
A correct beginning could be to put off diploma grades from league table metrics. We don’t have any proof that they’re similar throughout topics and universities. Retaining any such system places an insupportable strain on universities and academics to provide quality grades feasibly.
