Math matters! The importance of mathematical and verbal skills for degree performance

We find that mathematics skills have a stronger relationship to university performance than verbal skills. While both are predictive of degree completion and class of degree obtained, mathematics skills have a larger effect, and are particularly predictive of achieving a first-class honours degree and of high achievement in STEM courses. •Previous work has studied the effect of verbal and mathematical skills on graduation.•We build on the literature by also analysing the class of degree obtained.•Mathematics skills have a larger impact on university performance than verbal skills.•Mathematics skills are much more predictive of earning a first-class honors degree.•They are also significantly better predictors of high performance in STEM courses.