Office for Students degree classification data

The Financial Times has chosen to focus on one particular measure of grade inflation, which compares the proportion of First Class degrees awarded by a university in 2023/24 to that of 2010/11. Around 2010/11, Durham received feedback from external examiners that we could be awarding more First Class degrees, to properly recognise the quality of our students’ work.  

We have exceptional students at Durham, we work hard to enable them to achieve their best, and our graduates are some of the most sought-after anywhere in the world. Our degrees are assessed and moderated stringently, including by external agencies.

- See the Office for Students announcement. 

Published: Thursday 22 January, 2026.