The unpublished report - an internal study compiled for the University Council at Trinity College and based on figures compiled by the HEA - reveals significant grade inflation across the university sector, with massive increases of between 167 and 900 per cent in the percentage of first-class honours degrees awarded in Irish universities.

It found that the percentage of firsts at NUI Maynooth rose from 1.5 per cent in 1994 to 11.1 per cent in 2004 and upwards again to 13.3 per cent in 2008 - an increase of 900 per cent over the 14-year period. A university source pointed out that this increase simply brought NUI Maynooth into line with other universities.

The report reveals other percentage increases in first class honours during the same period:

UCC up 273 per cent
TCD up 226 per cent
NUIG up 215 per cent
UL up 207 per cent
DCU up 167 per cent.

The percentage of 2.1 honours degrees awarded also rose dramatically between 1994 and 2008:

TCD up from 23.3 per cent to 50.2 per cent
UCC up from 29.1 per cent to 51.3 per cent
NUIG up from 30.9 per cent to 45 per cent
DCU remained the same at 41 per cent
UL up from 21.2 per cent to 34 per cent.

"There is no doubt that the Irish higher education sector has experienced significant grade inflation over the period 1994-2008," the report says.

"However, the upward trend has, it would appear, slowed down and remained relatively stable in the past four to five years. The reasons for grade inflation are not entirely clear, but increased student participation, greater parental expectations, and of course lower standards have all probably contributed to the phenomenon.

"The proliferation of master level degrees requiring a 2.1 honours grade in the primary degree is also likely to be a significant factor in grade inflation at this level.

"... In stark terms, it could be concluded that the academic worth of a primary degree from Irish universities since 1994 has been devalued significantly," the report states.

"While the trend, especially in the period from 1994 to 2004 is worrying, it could also be explained, at least in part, by improved learning and teaching, and fairer and more transparent assessment regulations.

"Even allowing for these considerations, there is still the problem of employers [including academic institutions] being able to identify the best graduate."

With regard to Leaving Certificate grades, the Trinity study finds that the proportion of students achieving 500 or more points increased by 124 per cent between 1995 and 2009. However, the increase since 2005 has been just 6.25 per cent.

The report says the proportion of Leaving Cert students achieving 400-499 points increased from 15.5 per cent in 1995 to 21.5 per cent in 2009, representing an increase of over 38 per cent.
(Sources: Irish Independent, Irish Times)