Protecting the Value of UK Degrees: Reviewing Progress One Year on from the Statement of Intent

In May 2019, the United Kingdom (UK) higher education sector restated its strong commitment to protecting the value of UK degrees over time. This was based on the following principles: (1) Protecting the value of qualifications is in the interest of students -- past, present and future -- who deserve qualifications that they can take pride in; (2) All higher education institutions are responsible for protecting the value and the sustainability of the classification system; (3) Qualifications should be based on clear criteria that recognise, demonstrate and celebrate academic stretch and success; (4) Higher education institutions are responsible for awarding degrees that benefit from common arrangements to protect their value; and (5) The diversity of the UK higher education sector is a strength, which is founded on shared, consistent and comparable academic practices. A statement of intent was created to support the sector in this work and hold it to account, with four key commitments: (1) ensure assessments continue to stretch and challenge students; (2) review and explain how final degree classifications are calculated; (3) support and strengthen the external examiners system; and (4) review and publish data and analysis on students' degree outcomes. This report outlines progress to date across the sector relevant to the statement of intent. This has already seen a levelling off in the proportion of upper degrees being awarded with no increase witnessed in 2018-19. However, the report also sets out areas that could be explored to reinforce this work and ensure transparency, fairness and reliability in degree classification. It shows that the sector remains strongly committed to the statement's principles. [The report was also produced by the UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment.]