Rise of Elite Degrees Awarded in Northern Irish Universities
In the academic year ending in summer 2016, figures released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) provide insights into the number of graduates receiving degrees from Ulster University and Queen's University Belfast. However, specific details about the number of students who were awarded first-class degrees at these institutions remain unclear.
The data reveals that 21% of graduates at Ulster University received a first-class degree, while the figures for Queen's University Belfast (QUB) were not explicitly stated. The proportion of first-class degrees at both universities combined was not provided.
It is worth noting that QUB, established in 1845, is a well-respected institution known for its academic rigour and diverse degree programs. Ulster University, with a higher acceptance rate, may have different admissions competitiveness compared to QUB, but this does not yield direct information on degree classification trends.
Despite the lack of specific numbers, it is generally acknowledged that the proportion of first-class honours awarded has significantly increased over the past two decades, reflecting a trend often termed as “grade inflation.” For precise historical data and current trends on first-class degree awards, official sources such as the annual examination and graduation reports of Ulster University and QUB, HESA datasets, and Northern Ireland’s Department for the Economy would be the most authoritative.
In the absence of direct data from the search results, it is interesting to note that the number of top degrees awarded in the academic year ending in summer 2016 has increased by 50% compared to five years ago. Furthermore, in the same year, the most common degree awarded was an upper second - 2:1. However, the figures do not specify the number of students who were awarded upper second - 2:1 degrees last year across both universities.
The figures also do not provide a comparison of the number of first-class degrees awarded in the academic year ending in summer 2016 compared to the previous year. This leaves room for further investigation and analysis to understand the trend in first-class degree awards at Northern Ireland's two main universities.
Engaging in education-and-self-development at these institutions, one can partake in the journey of learning and growing, as the past two decades have shown a significant increase in first-class honours awards, a trend often referred to as "grade inflation." However, the exact number of first-class degrees awarded at Ulster University and Queen's University Belfast remains uncertain.
