Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

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:
NicoAndTheNiners · 24/12/2018 16:48

A 2:2 is an overall degree classification so you don't have a 2:2.

MyMagicStars · 24/12/2018 16:52

My dc have all done/are in the progress of uni degrees. At least five (off the top of my head) have had absolutely no first year work count towards their final degree, with second and third year (undergrad) counting towards their final marks. You cannot lie and say you have a 2:2- your marks don't even count! It could have quite serious consequences as well, given that you are lying to try and work, thus get money.
University is difficult- while you had to take leave for your children, others will have continued with equal difficulty- it's unfair for you to lie because you believe your circumstances are worthy of better treatment.

Holidayshopping · 24/12/2018 16:55

I wouldn’t mention it at all. A 2.2 and then dropping out looks like you didn’t work very hard at it and weren’t committed.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Higher education Jobs
Original poster
tropicalbird · 24/12/2018 17:59

I haven't mentioned my circumstances for failing my second year and I'd rather not. But everyone is different and I wish I had the emotional support that some do have tp luckily carry on with their lives as normal. Not in my case unfortunately.

I did apply for extenuating circumstances for both years I failed and my reasons were taken in to consideration by my university.

OP posts:
Andromeida59 · 24/12/2018 17:59

I was working full time during my first year and my Dad died the day after I finished my first year. I had numerous mental health issues but I managed to get through.
I also started an MA this year and struggling with disabling migraines that affect my memory and ability to read and write. They also sometimes leave me paralysed down my right side. Still, I keep going and I'm guessing I'm not the only one here who's been through situations like this.

Fact is, you didn't get a degree, you didn't put the work in. Work in the first year doesn't count towards a final grade. Maybe instead of lying about your degree, actually go back and finish it if it's that vital to your new career.
If you're willing to lie about this what else are you willing to lie about?

Andromeida59 · 24/12/2018 18:02

@OP, how can you possibly know what support, if any, others have received?

You're trying to make yourself feel better to justify you lying. For the record, I had no support from the university at all.

"To carry on life as normal", you have no idea what people have gone through. You are coming across as insulting now. If you do lie, I hope you're found out. The role should go to someone who actually worked for it not someone who just lies to get where they want.

Original poster
tropicalbird · 24/12/2018 18:10

I'm not insulting anyone. I wouldn't have been able to retake my second year if I was slacking. Instead I had valid reasons, i could barely even work/function or take care of my DD.

Maybe nobody here has had to deal with finding a sibling's dead body hanging from a wire and tried to save their life and at the same time had to deal with being abused by a partner. Great, I'll carry on whilst my whole world has fallen apart. I'm just lazy and thick despite exceeding the entry requirements to get on to the university.

OP posts:
Andromeida59 · 24/12/2018 18:33

The fact is you don't have a degree. If you say or imply that you do, you're lying.

This will end up being worse for you in the end. If you truly want to move to a different field (I work in a different area to my a degree) then see what opportunities may be around. Also, there are numerous free online courses from universities that you can do from home.

I'm sorry that you've experienced issues but experiencing issues doesn't give you a green flag to lie about having a degree, if it did, many people would lie.

It took me 8 years to finally get my degree after first starting. If you really want a degree try the OU. You can transfer credits if it's in a certain time period. Working towards something looks far better and you can be honest.

MacarenaFerreiro · 24/12/2018 18:40

and I think my degree is now useless as its not directly related

But you don't HAVE a degree. Not an ordinary degree. Not an honours degree. Just the first year of a degree course.

PurpleDaisies · 24/12/2018 18:43

It sounds like you had really a tough time. Flowers

You need to make peace with the fact that you didn’t graduate. You don’t have a degree and it’s wrong to imply you have. It may well be worth looking into credit transferring to the OU or similar.

Katinkka · 24/12/2018 18:54

You’ve had a bad time but the point is you don’t have a degree and I personally wouldn’t draw attention to such poor marks.

DonDrapersOldFashioned · 24/12/2018 18:58

You did not get a 2:2. Your marks were equivalent/on track for a 2:2 if you finished the degree. Which you didn’t.

PaintingOwls · 24/12/2018 19:01

I wouldn't put a 2:2 on my CV! Never mind lying about it. I know people do, but what are you going to do if they do background checks or ask to see your certificate?

BayandBlonde · 24/12/2018 19:15

many people have gone through some awful times and still complete their degrees, or at least don’t think they should award one to themselves!

A fellow student on my Uni course was diagnosed with a brain tumour half way through a six year course. He didn't tell us until the day of our dissertation viva, so basically the end. He passed with a higher 2:1 and a tumour the size of an orange.

10 years on and he is doing well Smile

BikeRunSki · 24/12/2018 19:23

No-one is trying to belittle your very traumatic experiences or the hard work you put in OP, but you simply do not have a degree. It would be utterly dishonest to imply otherwise in an employment situation.

evilharpy · 24/12/2018 19:33

I know someone who didn’t complete their degree (he did 2 out of 3 years I think), lied about it in his CV, got found out and was dismissed.

I completed two out of four years of a degree as a mature student and was on track for a high 2:1, but moved away and had to drop out. I regret that to this day byt I have never exaggerated on my CV. I’ll mention it in interview if it comes up but that’s it.

ginyogarepeat · 24/12/2018 19:36

I can't believe you have to ask that! No, you most definitely can't state that under any circumstances whatsoever. Most employers will ask for certificates anyway; even if they don't you can get caught out in a lot of ways.

As for your statement about your degree being useless - you DON'T HAVE A DEGREE, so it makes no difference!

Good luck with finding a job.

SheldonandPenny · 24/12/2018 19:49

We routinely ask for degree certificates to be brought to interview.

octoberfarm · 24/12/2018 20:27

So sorry you've had such a tough time, OP. If it were me, I'd state on my CV either that I'd attended X university from X date to X date, pursuing a degree in X subject, or that I'd completed the first year at X university towards a degree in X subject. I'd then briefly mention in your cover letter that you were unable to finish the degree due to a death in your family, and then talk about how your time studying contributed to your decision to pursue your chosen career. I can completely understand you not wanting to go into a detailed explanation of why you had to such leave under such difficult circumstances, and hopefully the above would explain enough without them asking for any more info on the particular circumstances surrounding you leaving, whilst still allowing recognition of what you did achieve in terms of your time there/completing that first year. If asked, you could always say you were on track for a 2:2, but I wouldn't write it on your CV, as that grade is only given at the end of a degree as part of the award.

Hope things are looking up for you these days, and good luck with the job search Thanks

DubBeGoodToMe · 24/12/2018 21:59

Maybe nobody here has had to deal with finding a sibling's dead body hanging from a wire and tried to save their life and at the same time had to deal with being abused by a partner. Great, I'll carry on whilst my whole world has fallen apart. I'm just lazy and thick despite exceeding the entry requirements to get on to the university.

No one was belittling your reasons for not continuing your degree (for a start, one knew your specific reasons), and no one was saying you are thick and lazy. The reason why some people told your that others go through tough times and not to put you dropping out on your CV is because they’re trying to help you create a good and more professional CV. It is fraudulent to state or strongly imply you have a degree you don’t have, and it may appear unprofessional to some employers to state that you dropped out and that you obtain a grade average for your completed year that isn’t regarded as a high grade. Whatever your reasons are, it’s not the done thing to detail these on a CV - which you know- and this is why the reasons are largely irrelevant because at that stage in the application process, employers are likely to regard it as making excuses.

I get the impression you have quite a bit of resentment about not getting your degree and think you deserve it. These feelings may be justified but it’s making you see what is a factual process as something very emotive.

Thr cold hard reality here is that you didn’t achieve what you feel you should have done, but that no employer would accept you have the right to fool them into thinking you have a degree when you do not.

greendale17 · 24/12/2018 22:17

You’ve had a bad time but the point is you don’t have a degree and I personally wouldn’t draw attention to such poor marks.

^This. Most graduate scheme want at least a 2:1.

MrMeSeeks · 24/12/2018 22:57

Don’t lie.
Don’t even lie about GCSE’s. I’ve had to bring evidences of all my qualifications including GCSES and a-levels.

Ginandsonicscrewdriver · 24/12/2018 22:59

You’ll get a certificate of higher education from your uni for completing that year. Write that instead.

MrMeSeeks · 24/12/2018 23:00

And i’ve been where you are, ( not your circ obv) but you still can’t put what you don’t have.
Either put that you are completing a qualification or leave it off and only mention it if you get an interview.

Wonkysack · 24/12/2018 23:03

Actually, LOADS of my undergrad cohort went through awful shit to get their degree. Losing both parents, stillbirth, psychosis. Most didnt have support.
You dont have a degree. Use your anger to go back and get one.