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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:
CountessVonBoobs · 24/12/2018 12:53

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

But that's a misleading form of words. You earned marks in the first year assessments that equated to a 2:2 if that had been your average score for the whole degree. You don't actually 'get a 2:2' on a single exam/paper. So that phrasing will look like you intentionally misled an interviewer.

MaderiaCycle · 24/12/2018 12:53

You didn’t get a 2:2 though. You got some first year modules at 2:2 percentage. The first year doesn’t even count towards your final grade. YABU

ChoudeBruxelles · 24/12/2018 12:54

What happens if you get asked to show your degree certificate? You don’t have a degree

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Higher education Jobs
HellonHeels · 24/12/2018 12:55

Most employers would require sight of your degree certificate so it's not a good idea to fake it.

What you should do is contact your university and ask if your degree course has an "exit award". Many courses do and you could be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education. Speak to the course administrator.

If you want to return to study many universities will allow you to take you credits onto a new course (within a time limit, usually 4 years from date of award).

Heyha · 24/12/2018 12:58

We once had an application for a job with a relatively unusual degree route on it- unfortunately for the applicant I was very familiar with that route and knew that they had deliberately misrepresented their qualifications. We quietly let their existing employer know (small network) and the person ended up being barred from our profession. So definitely not worth trying to fudge it.

However I think I would state that you did the first year successfully as that deserves credit. It won't, unfortunately, get you shortlisted for a job that requires a degree but could still be a positive for jobs where a degree isn't specified as essential. Depends on the industry though- for support staff in mine I'd view it as a positive but others may view it differently?

EastMidsGPs · 24/12/2018 12:58

I temped for a while at a local uni. My department was contacted by a firm who wanted confirmation that a person had completed their degree and gained the classification they claimed.
They hadn't and head of department had conversation with employer over this (to confirm they'd misrepresented their qualification). The employer had had concerns about this person's supposed skills and knowledge -hence the enquiry- and intimated they'd be sacked.

Don't do it. As an aside, as someone who worked bloody hard for my degree, I'd be incensed at someone trying to fudge their qualification.

sherrysfortea · 24/12/2018 13:00

Can you not retake your second year? Did you apply for extenuating circumstances?

Do not lie.

SilverApples · 24/12/2018 13:02

The other thing is that companies and people talk. Lie to one company and get found out, your name will do the rounds and you may well end up unemployable anywhere you apply in the field.

kenandbarbie · 24/12/2018 13:20

It doesn't really matter why you didn't get it, ability and potential is not the same thing as having completed the degree. Plus you haven't even learned the transferable things you would have - essay writing, time management, research skills, reviewing and summarizing information, organization, presentation skills, resilience, perseverance, dedication, even basic English - these are all demonstrated by having completed a degree in any subject. That's why lots of jobs don't ask for a particular subject. You'll get found out as you don't have the skills the employers expect, that's why they ask for a degree. You might have other skills acquired in work or other experience, build on that not lies.

SpaSushi · 24/12/2018 13:25

Where i work everyone is required to provide a copy of degree/s or qualifications if offered a job for HR to check.

I have an incomplete doctorate, so i put down what i did, years, and "incomplete". Be honest and it will be fine if you have the skills and experience. Don't lie or try and be crafty- you'll get caught out.

MagicKeysToAsda · 24/12/2018 13:33

As everyone else has unanimously said, you can't do it. It would be an outright lie. It doesn't matter if it's just by implication or by fudging dates. The hiring team will check, and strange dates or wording stick out a mile so will be immediately scrutinised.

I have worked in HR/recruitment for a very long time and I can promise you: if the role has specified it needs to be graduate entry, we require sight of either the original degree certificate, or permission to contact the university and obtain an official transcript. Without either of those, the employment offer is withdrawn.

However, you could put on your application:
year 1 completed of X course at X university, overall year grade was 2:2
(course not completed due to personal circumstances)

Then you could include further info in your covering letter etc and you might be able to make your case. If it was a role where you thought you would be particularly suitable (i.e. it's in your field, you have related experience from other sources etc) then ring the hiring manager and have a chat about how to best demonstrate your suitability.

titchy · 24/12/2018 13:40

No she can't put overall grade was a 2:2. It wasn't. She got an average of 58% on level 4 modules. 2:2s and other classifications are based on level 5 and 6 module results.

You can put that you started a degree, we're awarded x number of credits in y topics with an average mark of 58, but we're unable to complete for personal reasons. That's it. Do not put anything else.

If you want to apply for graduate jobs go back to university and finish your degree.

LIZS · 24/12/2018 13:56

Weighting over a 3/4 year degree course means first year modules can carry significantly less weight , if any, towards the final degree classification. So first year grade is pretty meaningless on its own.

greendale17 · 24/12/2018 14:13

The first year of a uni course doesn’t count towards the final classification.

Original poster
tropicalbird · 24/12/2018 14:14

So first year grade is pretty meaningless on its own

Best to leave it off then?

OP posts:
Kezzie200 · 24/12/2018 14:20

I ask for education certificates. Id imagine most employers will do.

Ourmaud · 24/12/2018 14:24

Leave it off and maybe look at an employer that offers development while you work- bt, co op bank, bae systems, virgin, Aldi are all known for having a promote from within culture. My dhs employer put him through btec diploma and my best friends has paid for a chemistry degree and masters. With employers sometimes the person having the right attitude is more important than qualifications (obviously job dependant). Lying about qualifications will only trip you up eventually and can have harsh consequences if you’re found out

cheesywotnots · 24/12/2018 14:31

Yes, best to leave it off, you can't pretend you have a Degree when you haven't, it's dishonest.

Original poster
tropicalbird · 24/12/2018 14:42

cheesy

I meant leave off that I completed first year of university.

OP posts:
ArsenicNLace · 24/12/2018 14:44

It would be a criminal offence if they found out 'obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception' and you could be prosecuted for it so really not worth it.

Andromeida59 · 24/12/2018 14:44

Of course it's dishonest. You know it is otherwise you wouldn't be asking for opinions. It took me years to get my degree because of personal issues.
Still, I did get it eventually. It makes a mockery of all of us who work so hard to get one if people just lie about them. Maybe there's no point completing my MA. I should just lie.

cheesywotnots · 24/12/2018 14:50

you can put down that you spent a year at uni, what will you say if they ask why you left? are they able to help you complete the course, would that be worth investigating if you want to finish your Degree.

chickhonhoneybabe · 24/12/2018 14:51

If you drop out of uni and don’t finish the course you get a certificate of higher education, you cannot state that you got a 2:2 as you’ve not completed the course! The grade you got in your first and second years are irrelevant as you’re only eligible for the certificate of higher education and if you feel your grade is unfair you should have put extenuating circumstances in at the time or asked for an extension to submit your work.....

BeardedMum · 24/12/2018 14:55

Never lie in your CV. Where I work they do proper background screening and I have had security walk a new starter out after a few weeks in the job as she had exaggeratted her a levels. It didn’t get her the job, but lost her the job because her integrity was then in question and she had to go.

safariboot · 24/12/2018 14:56

You said yourself that it's lying. You should know not to lie on your CV!

You do need to account for all your recent adult life. Gaps are bad. This might mean saying you studied, took leave, studied again, and dropped out. Or something like that.

If I was hiring I wouldn't think badly of a uni dropout. I mean loads of successful businesspeople dropped out, Bill Gates being the first to come to mind.