New research has found that a rise in university students getting higher than a 2:2 degree is not caused by grade inflation. The study from economists at Lancaster University Management School concluded there was no evidence of universities contributing to grade inflation – and that rising degree grades reflected what could be expected from rising A-level grades. It found that 70% of graduates getting a 2:1 or above was as a result of “better prepared students”. The only sign of “leniency” was among top universities, which researchers found were 8% more likely to award higher degrees.