20th August 2008

University league tables put lecturers under pressure to mark positively and have led to a dramatic increase in the number of first class degrees awarded, causing concern that with the rising cost of a degree, tuition fees have created a consumerist attitude to higher education.

This comes as a professor was forced to resign for failing students, but later won his case for constructive dismissal in a ruling that sends a warning to universities against artificially inflating their results.

Professor Buckland resigned in protest when the students that he failed were passed and an internal review found the university official involved guilty of “intermeddling” in the marking.

Kevin Moloney, chair of Bournemouth UCU, said: “The move towards a market in higher education through things like university fees has led to consumerist attitudes to degrees. We hope here that the decision leads to a review and reform of procedures here and throughout the country.”