Degree algorithms, grade inflation and equity: the UK higher education sector

David Allen ()
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David Allen: University of the West of England, Bristol

Working Papers from Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance, Bristol Business School, University of the West of England, Bristol

Abstract: This article extends the Universities UK – GuildHE (2017) report on degree algorithms and complements the work of Sinclair et al (2017). By applying a range of different algorithms to a set of individual module marks and to the marks from a medium sized undergraduate programme, it reveals wide variation in the degree classification that could be awarded. In the case of the individual set of marks, the degree outcome ranges from an upper second (66.69%) to a 1st (70.72%). In terms of the programme, the proportion of first class honours awarded over a 3 year period can range from 16% to 32%. This wide variation in degree outcomes has clear implications for any performance measure based on the number of ‘good honours awarded’ and calls into question any ranking that uses ‘good honours’ in its metrics. It may also be a driver of the widely reported ‘grade inflation’ witnessed in the UK Higher Education sector and further afield. At an individual level, that one set of marks can result in two different degree outcomes is counter to notions of equity.

Date: 2018-01-01
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