From the Irish Independent.

As well as beating the males in Junior and Leaving Cert exams, females do better in most areas of higher education, according to a survey carried out for the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC).

At undergraduate level the female/male enrolment ratio is 59:41, females also get 54.7pc of the first-class and two-thirds of the second-class honours degrees.

Ok just a quick note. If the ration is 59:41 that means that 59% of students are female. Now that means that 59% of first class honours should be awarded to females. But no it is 54.7% so in fact females are preforming slighly lower then males at first class level.