The Number of First Class Architecture Graduates on the Rise
Data analysts for Architecture Journal have pointed out that the proportion of students studying architecture, building and planning courses who are receiving highly sought after first-class degree qualifications has more than doubled in less than a decade. In 2007/2008 only 10.8% of students acquired a first-class degree, whereas in 2016/2017 the figure has risen to a massive 24%. The Office for Students has recently warned against grade inflation within higher education and has even threatened to fine some of the worst offenders. It appears that universities may be inflating their grades in order to improve their general grade averages and present their establishment as the most inviting for prospective students. The higher education watchdog found that over half of the institutions they investigated showed a significantly higher amount of first class degrees in 2016/2017 when compared to the wider sector and their past grades over the last few years.
Simeon Shtebunaev, student member of the Royal Institute of British Architects’ National Council, states that ‘my personal opinion is that the apparent inflation of grades is largely driven by the transformation of the educational section into a fully fledged market operating by competitive rules.’ He also went on to say that ‘the problem is one of universities acting as businesses, trying to attract customers and being judged on performance indicators’ and that ‘as long as university ranking tables are not regulated, and the government policies persist of treating higher education as an extension of the economy, I am afraid that there are no incentives to do otherwise.’ RIBA Director of Practise, David Gloster, also seems to concur with these ideas as he states that ‘as with all higher education provision in the UK, architecture courses are under enormous pressure to improve degree grades, student retention and progression. As such, the increase in first-class degree grades is perhaps unsurprising.’ He also went on to highlight the ‘reluctance to award third-class degrees to protect a university’s standing.’ All the points set forward are perfectly valid and should definitely be closely considered when investigating any suspicious rises in higher levels of first-class degrees in any field. Universities are indeed business models and the ‘commercialisation of higher education’ means that prospective and current students are not just students anymore, they are customers. It may be that with rising university tuition costs, people are expecting more for their money and more of a return for their investment, meaning higher grades at their end of their degrees.
However, Harriet Harriss, Reader in Architectural Education at the Royal College of Art, has pointed out that perhaps a lot of students are simply working harder now due to the higher cost that comes with attaining a degree in today’s society. She also went on to highlight how ‘architecture schools have a degree of immunity against degree inflation due to RIBA accreditation, which ensures that the curriculum continues to serve the profession and that standards are maintained. There has definitely been an increasing rise in student’s perception of the significance that a degree holds in today’s highly competitive job market, even though a lot of those working in recruitment would say that the difference between a first-class degree and upper-second-class degree is not something that most employers place a lot of focus on, instead preferring a balance of qualifications and experience.
Ultimately, it is undeniable that universities have become businesses which may explain the inflation in the amount of first-class degrees we are seeing. Just as it is a competitive field when it comes to being accepted by a university, it is equally as competitive for universities to attract students to attend their particular institution. It appears that league tables are shouting a bit louder than they really should do which may have led to these establishments resorting to grade inflation to improve their academic standing. However, it is also undeniable that when it comes to gaining a university degree, students today are much more aware of the investment that are putting into this particular qualification and are therefore perhaps working just that bit harder so their time, effort and money is not in vain. It is important that watchdogs are implemented to scrutinise this fine line and ensure that the grades that are being given are truly deserved and the trends in degree qualifications over the next few years will prove interesting to identify whether these standards are truly being upheld.
Written by Lisa Clifton
Lisa is a Director at Clifton Gray Property Recruitment Specialists. Specialising in architecture she has spent the last 15 years working in the recruitment industry. Follow Lisa on LinkedIn or email lisa@cliftongray.co.uk to discuss current Liverpool and Manchester architecture jobs.