The “real-life” Martha from Baby Reindeer may not have been lying about her degree classification despite accusations of dishonesty across social media, The Independent can reveal. Fiona Harvey , 58, asserted in her interview with Piers Morgan , 59, that she has a “photographic memory”. But when he asked her to specify the grade she got for her law degree, she said: “I just did an ordinary degree and then a diploma in legal practice.
I didn’t do an honours degree.” While this was widely interpreted as an example of her “lying” or “slipping up” by online commentators, Harvey was telling the truth. This is because undergraduate degrees in Scotland take four years, but in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, the courses are three years long.
In order to receive a specific grade, a person must do honours or an optional four year, which Harvey said in the interview she did not. She was therefore unable to receive a classification as they do not exist for “ordinary” undergraduate degrees, which are simply pass or fail. The only situation in which a student at a Scottish university would receive no classification is if they fail their honours year and are unable to achieve a third-class degree.
However, Harvey asserted that she did not do this part of the course she says she attended at Aberdeen University. Her claims are backed up by the institution itself. “There are four classes of Honours degree classification: First, Upper Second, Lower Second and Th.
