Degrees are now way too easy, discuss.

Grade inflation has eroded the value of a degree; a 2:1 is far too easy to achieve. Every man and his dog had a 2:1 these days, they are practically handed out with packets of cornflakes. This is intensifying competition in the graduate job market; high achievers with overall grades of 80% plus are unable to distinguish themselves from the competition. I have graduated from a top 15 University with a high 1st, yet in the job market I am competing against people who might have a grade as low as 57% (disgustingly, my University awards a 2:1 for achieving 57% or a 1st for 67%!).

The education system is broken; degrees have been watered down; the classification system is a joke (10% difference for grade boundaries is MASSIVE). Discuss.

It is an indicator of ability, intelligence and acts as a signal to potential employers. Sounds like you're the holder of a 2:1

I heard employers actually favour those with 2:1s, because they believe they are more 'all-rounders'. You may have a First in a difficult subject but that does not automatically mean you're more employable. Employers generally look for work experience, varied interests and a decent university grade, usually a 2:1.

Explain how signalling is relevant to your argument. Of course degrees signal to employers the worth of candidates, but why would a pooling equilibrium not be reached?

No one gives a flying **** about what you've heard provide some data instead of making baseless assertions to support an argument.

What a pointless trivial input. Personal anecdotes are not necessarily indicative of a wider trend.

No one gives a flying **** about what you've heard provide some data instead of making baseless assertions to support an argument.

A pooling equilibrium will be achieved, obviously. But the two required constraints for the pooling equilibrium to exist will be more easily satiated, the cost of signalling for the low quality type will be reduced; the low quality type will find it easier to mimic the high quality type as it requires less effort than previously. This declining rigour will result in lower wages due to over supply in the graduate job market. Hence degrees should be made harder, not dumbed down. An MSc is the new BSc in my opinion.

You have a massive intellect - we get it. Now is it possible for you to act like a civilised human being?

Ah yes it's rather simple now you put it like that, I've yet to hear a convincing argument against your position. I commend you for providing data to support your arguments, quantitative data seems to be lacking from those posting in support of the contrary position.

Why be so rude?

I'm afraid I don't have any kind of statistics, as I have better things to do that to research that sort of thing, I simply said 'I've heard'. I didn't pretend that this assumption was gospel, I was just saying what I think.

Thank you. You put forward some valid points yourself, and it is always a good idea to ask questions of the data and statements we see around us. A fellow Economist yourself?

Then don't post if your post is going to lack even a snippet of substance.

This is something of an 'I'm very clever' thread.

You may be right. Certainly not at the very top universities, and university name and reputation still holds a lot of weight, but probably at several others. What did you get at A-level?

However, people can only do the best with what they have, and there is always a way to differentiate yourself. If you are good enough you will get yourself noticed somehow. What jobs are you applying for?