YOU report on the increase in top degrees discredits students leaving university today with either a 2:1 or first class honours degree ("More graduates with top honours", The Herald, January 11).

I am a mature student who left work four years ago to go back into education to become a psychologist. When I left school in 1996, having any degree of any class was seen as a gateway to a successful future. At that time there were many jobs available in a booming economy and most people just aimed to get any degree of any class as it would increase career prospects.

Currently in the fourth year of my degree, I believe many more people are getting a higher class of degree as a result of a highly competitive environment. Students are very aware there are far fewer jobs available so work harder and aim higher to increase their chances of gaining employment once they graduate.

It is my view that a high class of degree is no easier to gain nowadays than it was in the 1990s but is more desirable to students who wish to gain employment when they graduate. I for one am aiming for a first class degree and also doing voluntary work to increase my job prospects and I know many of my fellow students are doing the same.

Luisa Hart,

36 Strathallan Wynd,

Kings Meadow,

East Kilbride.