Eight out of 10 students got a first or a 2:1 at almost 50 UK universities last year, according to the latest figures on degree classifications.

At 10 institutions more than 90 per cent of students managed to attain the two highest degree classes, while at almost a quarter of the country’s universities at least 30 per cent of those graduating got a first.

The figures, driven by another year-on-year increase in the share of students achieving a first, are likely to further add to the debate around grade inflation. Last year, the former universities minister Jo Johnson said that grade inflation was “ripping through English higher education” as plans were unveiled to assess its impact in the teaching excellence framework.

According to the latest data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency on degrees awarded by universities in 2016-17, many of those with the highest percentages of 2:1s and firsts were specialist institutions like music and drama colleges. Excluding these, there was still an increase – to 36 – in the number of mainstream universities where at least 80 per cent of students got a first and 2:1.

Most of the universities with the highest proportions of first and 2:1s were highly selective institutions such as the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Joining them this year as institutions where nine out of 10 students got these marks were Imperial College London, UCL and Durham University, all of which were below this threshold in 2015-16.

Full table showing % of classified degrees awarded by university

Meanwhile, 15 institutions saw an increase in the share of firsts and 2:1s they awarded rise by 5 percentage points or more, including University College Birmingham, where the proportion rose 13.2 percentage points and St Mary’s University, Twickenham (13 percentage points).

In terms of firsts only, Imperial College London awarded the highest share, excluding specialist institutions, with 45 per cent achieving this degree class in 2016-17. The University of Surrey, which was already identified last year as having the biggest increase in the share of firsts in the sector in recent years, awarded an even greater share in 2016-17, up from 41 per cent in 2015-16 to 44 per cent, the second-highest in the country after Imperial.

The Hesa statistics on degree classifications were released as part of a larger dataset on UK students that for the first time has been made available as an open resource.

It includes data on the number of students by characteristics such as gender, ethnicity and subject studied as well as the level of degree.

Some other snapshots from the data include that 57 per cent of all undergraduates in 2016-17 were female, 12 per cent of all students were known to have a disability and one-fifth of those coming to study in the UK from abroad were from China.

The subject area with the highest number of students was business and administrative studies, accounting for one in seven of those studying, while 66 per cent of research doctorates were awarded in science subjects.

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For more than a century, our teaching and research have supported economic and social development within our local, regional and global communities. We seek to unite our most creative minds and lead teams towards resolving the critical challenges that face our planet and its people.

By choosing to study at UWA, you’ll join a network of passionate and resourceful leaders who are set on making meaningful contributions, and become part of a community with a reputation for leading positive change, both here and internationally.

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72

IN THE WORLD

(QS 2024)

43

SUBJECTS IN THE WORLD'S TOP 150

(ARWU 2022, QS 2023)

5 stars

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(Good Universities Guide 2022)

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UWA is

1 in WA for graduate employability (QS Graduate Employability Ranking 2022). We produce highly employable graduates who go on to forge long and successful careers. UWA graduates consistently receive high levels of satisfaction from employers.

UWA graduate skills and employer satisfaction

UWA graduate employment outcomes

88.0%

Undergraduate Medium-term outcome

95.4%

Postgraduate coursework Medium-term outcome

Image credit: UWA Graduations, 2013

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Our graduates go on to positively impact society – from Nobel Prize-winning scientists such as Professor Barry Marshall, to entrepreneurs like Mecca Cosmetica founder Jo Horgan and politicians such as former prime minister Bob Hawke.

UWA is also home to Fields Medal winner Professor Akshay Venkatesh; Decjuba CEO/owner Tania Austin; comedian, writer and musician Tim Minchin; and Academy Award winner Shaun Tan.

Award-winning

teachers

2

Teaching Excellence awards

2

Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning

23

Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning

Subjectrankings

The QS World University Rankings by Subject are compiled each year to identify leading universities in particular subjects. In 2023 we maintained our ranking as

1 in the state, with the highest number of subjects in the global top 100. The Academic Ranking of World Universities also releases subject rankings annually across five key disciplines. UWA consistently achieves strong results in both rankings.

UWA's rankings by subjects

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UWA's MBA program is first in the Oceania region for Entrepreneurship and Alumni Outcomes (QS World University Rankings 2023 Global MBA Rankings).

Our MBA program is also the longest running in Western Australia, with more than 40 years of proven success and thousands of high-achieving alumni. It is delivered by our internationally accredited Business School.

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UWA is recognised around the world as a leading research-intensive university.

Over the years, we have strengthened our international reputation for excellence, and we now attract researchers of world standing across a range of disciplines, with international leaders in many diverse fields.

We are a proud member of the internationally recognised Group of Eight, a coalition of Australia's leading research intensive universities, and a foundation member of the Matariki Network of high-quality, research-intensive universities with a focus on student experience.

We produce high-impact research with top ratings in a range of fields. The Australian Research Council’s outcomes has rated us as ‘well above world-standard’ for research in 28 fields.

What is the highest degree achieved?

While a doctorate is the highest education level, some fields may stop at a master's. The phrase "terminal degree" refers to the highest degree in a field. A professional degree is a type of graduate degree — often a doctorate — that prepares you for a professional career in fields like law and medicine.

What is the highest degree a person can achieve?

Doctoral Degree A doctorate degree is the highest level of academic degree in most fields. For research or university teaching, the degree is usually a PhD, while applied professional doctorates include the Doctor of Medicine (MD), the Doctor of Education (EdD), and the Juris Doctor (JD), among others.

What is the highest achievable degree?

Earning a doctorate degree – the highest traditional academic degree – can be an arduous and lengthy endeavor, taking anywhere from three to seven years, or more, of study. Candidates can choose from various types, most commonly Doctor of Education (Ed. D.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.).

What is the best degree to achieve?

All statistics below are sourced from Best College Reviews..

Pharmacology. For a lucrative career helping people, pharmacology is at the top of the list for in-demand degrees. ... .

Computer Science. ... .

Health Science. ... .

Information Technology. ... .

Engineering. ... .

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Finance. ... .

Human Resources..