Hesa data show continuing grade inflation and record international student numbers
UK universities have defended their record on tackling grade inflation after official statistics showed that the proportion of undergraduate students achieving a first has risen again.
According to data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency published on 25 January, more than a third—36 per cent—of degrees were firsts in 2020-21, up from 35 per cent in 2019-20 and 28 per cent in 2018-19.