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Original poster

Lying about degree on CV?

161 replies

tropicalbird · 24/12/2018 11:30

I completed 1 year of university 3 years ago and took a 1 year break due to pregnancy. I've attempted to complete my second year in 2 years and have failed due to lack of support around me and other personal difficulties.

I want to withdraw and get a full time job in an industry I'm interested in and I think my degree is now useless as its not directly related.

I got a high 2:2 in my year at university (58%). Could I put this on my CV as BSc(Hons) X subject 2:2 2014-2018 even though I didn't actually successfully complete the degree, or would that be misleading and dishonest?

OP posts:
LovesLaboursLost · 24/12/2018 11:55

Sign up for an OU course, even a ten point one. Transfer your credits to date to the OU. Put currently studying BA X, Y credits completed, 2:2 expected.

LIZS · 24/12/2018 11:57

They will expect to see the certificate, so no you cannot lie that you have a degree.

OrdinarySnowflake · 24/12/2018 11:57

Every job I've got as a graduate has checked my degree, either wanting to see the certificate or asking the uni for confirmation I have the grade/degree. Every job offer would be withdrawn if I'd lied on my c.v.

Don't do it.

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AnchorDownDeepBreath · 24/12/2018 11:58

I wouldn't put in on your CV at all. It's misleading if you don't make it clear that you didn't graduate (and would be mortifying when you get asked for your certificate), and if you make it clear you didn't graduate, it just raises a lot of questions.

If you do put it on; you need to be prepared to provide a full transcript of your results.

This might feel huge right now; but a degree isn't everything. It's more than possible to be successful without one; and work for great companies Thanks

Sparklfairy · 24/12/2018 11:58

OP, I applied for and got two jobs that listed a degree (at least a 2:1) as a requirement. I never went to university and obviously never said I did on my cv, just my a levels and work experience. I still got interviews and got both jobs. Just be honest.

Witchofzog · 24/12/2018 11:59

Just no. If this is a condition of the job then you are not eligible to apply. Sorry to be harsh but it is dishonest and unfair on other applicants who may have the required degree and who may lose out because you have lied.

Witchofzog · 24/12/2018 12:03

Oh and I am with @loveweekends10 I put myself through my degree as a mature student and it was a long hard slog during which I missed out on time with my ds. If I then missed out on a graduate job to someone who only completed first year and lied I would want that person caught and dismissed.

tazzle22 · 24/12/2018 12:03

Misleading... YES

Dishonest .... YES

and a load of other negative terms.

It might not be relevant subject to your hoped for career but any degree indicates completion of a number of years high level study of a subject as well as probably writing / comprehension / evaluation skills. It's inferring something you may not have as your marks at the end of the first year were definately not honours level.

If I found out you had lied on your cv you would not get even a toe in the door .

Be honest, mention it as a learning experience and how it's shaped your decision to move in the direction you now are.

ShanghaiDiva · 24/12/2018 12:05

I'm surprised you need to ask - of course it's misleading and dishonest.

Bonnefoi · 24/12/2018 12:06

I work in HR. Any employer wi h an HR dept doing their job and request degree as an essential requirement for role will ask to see proof of

Bonnefoi · 24/12/2018 12:08

Oops posted too soon. They will ask for proof, essentially, and you’ll get caught out.

By all means list what parts of the course you passed and use them as a positive and/or example of what you learned and or overcame, etc.

Murinae · 24/12/2018 12:08

I had to show my degree certificate too for my latest job that required a degree after the interview when they offered me the job.

PlainPiglet · 24/12/2018 12:08

You really need to ask whether it is misleading and dishonest? It is also most likely pointless - what happens when they ask for evidence of your qualifications to scan into your HR file? Or are you planning on fabricating the degree paperwork too?
You wouldn't be the first to start a job only to be dismissed when all the checks have been completed and the lies uncovered.

If the degree is useless in the industry you have now chosen, why take the risk anyway? Better highlighting the skills and experiences you have that they would be interested in than falsifying your CV.
Good luck with your job hunt.

flowery · 24/12/2018 12:10

Of course you can’t claim you have a BSc Hons when you haven’t!

”I wouldn't put in on your CV at all. It's misleading if you don't make it clear that you didn't graduate (and would be mortifying when you get asked for your certificate), and if you make it clear you didn't graduate, it just raises a lot of questions.”

I agree with this. I would think better of someone who didn’t go to university at all than someone who gave up after a year unless and until I had had an explanation.

If your degree course is useless anyway as is not directly related, why bother?!

Doobigetta · 24/12/2018 12:12

And just for the record, the only company who have ever dismissed me out of hand because of the lack of degree were tesco (corporate role rather than instore). Nobody else, including more than one big consultancy firm, cared. You might need to start a little lower on the ladder, but you can recover with a few years of good experience, and end up in the same place.

greendale17 · 24/12/2018 12:12

**You have to complete the entire degree to put BSc.
You have to complete it with honours to put (Hons)

You have not been awarded a degree, you can’t put BSc(Hons) 2:2!!**

^This.

Original poster
tropicalbird · 24/12/2018 12:20

especially if your best mark was a 2:2

Wow that's disheartening.

For the person asking about experience- I did a part time placement with a well known recruitment company but haven't but finished that nearly a year ago.

OP posts:
ADastardlyThing · 24/12/2018 12:31

I've withdrawn offers due to dishonesty regarding qualifications. Don't do it.

CountessVonBoobs · 24/12/2018 12:39

I'm sorry to have disheartened you - it would be one thing if you'd completed the degree with an overall 2:2 but tbh a completed first year with that as your mark just isn't really something that strengthens your case for any job. You could list it as a degree in progress if you are academically on hold or list a DipHE/Cert IF your uni awards you one for withdrawing at this point with these grades, but you're a stronger looking candidate if you present yourself as having focused on working vs if you present yourself as having (...sorry) struggled in an academic contest and dropped out.

AwkwardPaws27 · 24/12/2018 12:41

If you speak to the uni you might have enough credits to be awarded an "exit qualification" such as a Diploma of Higher Education or a Foundation Degree.

You can't put BSc Hons as this means you have completed 360 credits, which you haven't.

Original poster
tropicalbird · 24/12/2018 12:44

struggled in an academic contest and dropped out

I have the ability. My dire grades are really down to the personal difficulties I was having at that time.

OP posts:
Racecardriver · 24/12/2018 12:44

Lying about having a degree is stupid. Lying about having a degree and saying that you only have a 2:2 is a whole new level. I don’t understand why you would lie to only say that you have a 2:2.

Original poster
tropicalbird · 24/12/2018 12:48

I don’t understand why you would lie to only say that you have a 2:2

Not really lying but saying I attended university at these dates and that I got a 2:2.

OP posts:
AuntMarch · 24/12/2018 12:50

If that was in the least bit ok to do, none of us would bother working out arses off to actually finish one would we

CountessVonBoobs · 24/12/2018 12:50

I believe you, tropicalbird. There are all kinds of reasons why people don't do well at uni even if they are capable. I'm not trying to insult or demotivate you. I'm trying to help you by giving you some honest feedback about the "story" that a recruiter a going to get from your CV. And a recruiter or hiring manager is going to see you having struggled academically as the most likely reason, so you'd be in the position of having to disprove that.

It just doesn't strengthen your candidacy. And if you lie you will get found out by a background checker in about 5 minutes.