Revealed: Durham modules ranked by student attainment in 2021-2022 - Palatinate

Accessing detailed academic performance data through Freedom of Information requests demonstrates the practical value of open data in educational transparency. By utilizing FOI disclosures, students and researchers can bypass institutional barriers to obtain granular insights into module attainment rates. This approach allows for a deeper analysis of academic trends that are not typically published, highlighting how public access to information empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their educational pathways. The investigation reveals significant disparities in grading standards across different disciplines and year levels. Certain departments show consistently higher attainment, while specific modules, particularly in modern foreign languages or foundational studies, exhibit notably lower success rates. These variations suggest that factors beyond student ability, such as assessment methods or curriculum design, heavily influence outcomes. Identifying these patterns helps stakeholders understand the structural elements of university education that contribute to varying levels of student achievement. This case is highly relevant to the open data movement because it proves that raw academic datasets can reveal systemic issues within higher education institutions. When universities release or are compelled to share specific performance metrics, it fosters accountability and encourages critical discussion about equity in grading. Ultimately, making such data accessible supports the broader goal of democratizing information, allowing the public to scrutinize and improve educational quality through evidence-based transparency.

Source: palatinate.org.uk
Published on 2025-05-19

Revealed: Durham modules ranked by student attainment in 2021-2022 - Palatinate

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