Do some universities give out too many firsts?

I'd say this is wrong - almost nobody doesn't get a third at Cambridge maths.

Oops! I see what you did there. Still, it goes to prove my point!

I was merely joining in with the anecdotes. As it happens I can't really compare my course since most universities don't offer it I think, but I do get tired of some people on TSR who seem to believe that any university not I the Russell group is worthless.

I think some of you are forgetting they are externally marked and some courses like biomed are accredited so have to meet certain expectations.
I think its more course dependent rather than uni dependent in a lot of cases. Although, im not disputing the fact that the top 10 unis are probably more content heavy.


I go to an average ranked plate glass uni and my lecturers were actually told by external boards they were including too much content, that they had to reduce it and go further into detail with certain parts instead of trying to include everything.

Yes, I do see what you mean the 30% first rate is quite high, anyway, although I am definitely not complaining because I just barely squeaked into a first this year.

Anybody who takes such an extreme opinion is indeed annoying. However, so are the people who (not accusing you) constantly try to convince others that all universities and the degrees they offer are equal in quality.

Outside of law and banking, they really don't. I have never been questioned on my alma mater throughout the course of applying for jobs - just my degree classification.

A lot of lower ranked unis aren't accredited. Externally marked?

@OP, just because someone is not ****ting out A* in everything at A-level does not mean they are stupid or that they can not improve in their subject of choice at uni.

You would have thought if ex poly's had less academically able people they would struggle to get a first at the ex poly even with the weaker course.

Unis need more regulations, just like A Levels.
Standardise 1st and 2nd year university courses.

No, no - I said "almost nobody doesn't get a third", not "almost nobody gets a third"

I didn't mention Oxbridge. I was implying that people from Southern counties are more likely to be snobbish towards certain Northern institutions (which is completely true).

Edit: One of the problems is that the perception of 'prestige' is so bloody fickle. No one even knows why they look down on certain places, regardless of location (e.g. Reading), they just do.

To be fair they do kick out/'suggest' a change of course for people who are really struggling with the course. I'd guesstimate some 15%-20% of first year mathmos don't make it to third year - would you agree with that?

Well done. Are you a third year? I agree that the first rate is quite high. I actually study economics where the first rate is usually about 25% which is quite high too. But I'm not complaining as I just squeaked in too!

A lot of lower ranked unis aren't accredited. Externally marked?

Yes all universities have work second marked by another university. I just completed my degree at UWE and 25% of our work from final year is second marked by Bristol university. In fact three years in a row my course have been told they mark too harshly.

Your bitterness and the whole red brick elitism is extremely frustrating. I achieved a first (one of only 3 on my 200 strong course) and I worked extremely hard for it. I was an A grade alevel student who had to attend UWE due to personal circumstances. Of course I think there are many variables and it is easier to get a first at my uni (mostly due to how they work out the classification) - however I am intelligent and I worked hard stop putting people down who went to ex-polys!!

Conversly though (not saying you particularly have done this), don't try to say that all degrees are the same. Some universities are significantly harder than others.