Fury as top UK university to scrap centuries-old tradition to reduce students' stress

The prestigious is set to axe a centuries-old tradition, along with other measures, to improve students' . The longstanding practice of telling Cambridge-goers their exam rankings has been dropped to reduce stress. Known as the "class lists", students were able to see where they ranked within their cohort based on exam results.

However, the tradition will be scrapped in the next academic year over fears that it was having a negative effect on undergraduate mental health. Senior university officials voted on the matter after a task force claimed had a "culture of overwork". The move is part of a wider initiative to implement a "healthy work-life balance" in the university. This includes banning lectures on weekends and teaching outside of 8am-8pm.

Historically, class lists, also known as tripos rankings, were displayed for maths students in 1748. The practice then quickly expanded to include all departments, becoming a tradition across the campus. Exam results are publicly listed on a board outside of Cambridge's head offices.

However, over the past decade, a lengthy campaign took place to abolish the practice. Students were offered the opportunity to opt out of the ranking board in 2017, before the display boards were scrapped in 2021. But, students are still told their positions upon receiving their exam results.

From the next academic year, undergraduates will instead have to ask their supervisors for their ranking if they wish to know it. For those who rank high on the list, prizes will still be awarded for their academic achievements.

The move has sparked backlash among academics who believe the initiative will "delegitimise" degrees and that competitiveness is something to be championed.

Douglas Hedley, professor of the philosophy of religion at Clare College, condemned the move, labelling it as "a systemic attack on our world-renowned university culture".

"The 'mental health' justification is a mask for a pernicious and dangerous agenda," he told . "It will cause more distress for students if their degrees are delegitimised by such egalitarian dogmatism."

David Abulafia, emeritus professor of history at Gonville and Caius College supported Professor Hedley's views, saying: "If competitiveness is seen as dangerous, one might as well bid goodbye to universities such as Cambridge, which should be seeking to identify outstanding excellence and to prepare people for life in a highly competitive world."