Coast and still get a 2.1, says minister
The new Universities Minister has suggested that 2.1 degrees are so easily awarded that students can coast through university and still achieve one.
The new Minister for Universities and Science, Jo Johnson, has suggested that the higher classifications of degree are so readily available that students can coast through their studies and still graduate with a 2.1. The minister made the statement in a speech he delivered at the Universities UK headquarters and also suggested that the grade point average system may add some benefit for students and employers.
In the speech in London, Johnson highlighted the remarkable increase in achievement by acknowledging in 2013 to 2014 over half of graduates received a 2.1 degree. While this could have been attributed to harder work, Johnson believes the broad classifications do students a disservice. He said "The UK's standard model of classes of honours is on its own no longer capable of providing the recognition hardworking students deserve and the information employers require".
Johnson went on to suggest that the broad scope of the classifications was allowing some to get away with less, "...suggesting that this grade band not only disguises considerable variation in attainment, but also permits some to coast".
The issue, Johnson believes is causing both students and employers to lose out. Johnson said "Students across the country have just finished their exams and are looking for good graduate jobs. They rightly want hard work at university to be recognised and for their degree to be a currency that carries prestige and holds its value".
"At the same time, businesses need a degree classification system that will help them identify the best applicants for their firms. I know the sector is starting to tackle this need for richer information through the Higher Education Achievement Report and this is a valuable development, but this work needs greater urgency".
In response to this, Johnson has plans to tackle this in the future. He added "The teaching excellence framework we will introduce will include incentives for the sector to tackle degree inflation and ensure that hard-won qualifications hold their value. I want the green paper to look at the role that external examiners play in underpinning standards and ensuring our grading system provides a clearer, more comparable picture of student attainment".