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Original poster

Doing a masters with a 2:2 or 3rd. Bad idea?

85 replies

deletingsugar · 21/01/2021 21:00

I'm graduating this year with a psychology degree. I've had a rough ride with a difficult bereavement, pregnancy and taking time out due to depression.

When i started I was very keen and did really well in statistics and research methods, getting a 1stin my first year. I got pregnant and took a year out to take care of my DD. As I started 2and year, my brother took his own life and it messed me up for a bit. I decided to carry on with my second year but failed. I restarted second year, still struggling mentally and only passed a few modules- got 45% in research methods. I had to take the year out and complete a few failed modules from home. I did this over 2 years as I had to take care of DD with little childcare and alongside work. I'd finally passed all year 2 modules with an average mark of 54%. Year 3 now and although I'm better mentally, I do believe I will end up with a passing degree or just scraping a 2:2. I missed one exam 2 weeks ago due to childcare issues and having DD at home but I'm going to try to keep on top of things this term- already putting my introduction for my research project together.

I love psychology, it's a fascinating subject. I want to learn more about the subject and I already have a few favourite areas of the discipline. I was thinking of taking on my university's msc research methods course for September. They require a 2:2, but I'm not sure if I'll keep it at masters level.

Should I even consider doing a masters with my academic history?

OP posts:
GoldGreen · 21/01/2021 21:02

What are you thinking of doing after this? Are you doing the degree for a particular career?

GrumpyHoonMain · 21/01/2021 21:05

You should contact your university asap as they can usually consider special circumstances when calculating module or even degree results. They might be able to uplift the 2nd and 3rd year grades to take account your history. But I would say unless you did a masters in a parallel subject you may struggle to get onto a good enough course that would allow you to use what you learn.

Athrawes · 21/01/2021 21:06

It isn't your academic history that is the issue, but your lifestyle.
I have a 2:2 and went on to get a Masters and and a PhD. I just worked harder than I had during my degree. But, I was single and childfree. I worked full time but came home and did 2-3 hrs each and every night without fail.
I wouldn't suggest that you commit to further study now unless you have really good systems in place to enable you to have have guaranteed childfree/workfree/other people demanding your time days every week where you can get stuck into your study.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Higher education Primary education
Biscusting · 21/01/2021 21:08

Question is really, is it worth it? Could you work in the field a bit and go back for the masters when you’re in a better place? You’ll likely enjoy the learning and research more. Your path through your degree sounds very stressful.

Pollaidh · 21/01/2021 21:11

I know a couple of people who got 2.2s in a science from a decent uni, then got accepted onto a Masters programme at a Russel Group uni, paying full fees. Both did well, one passed, one got a distinction and then went on to do a PhD and is now an academic.

I don't know if there were any special circs in their case, but you definitely have some. Do as Grumpy suggests too.

My only concern is what you're actually planning to do, as psychology is one of those subjects which doesn't lead directly to a career in psychology, not without additional specialism. If you just want to get onto something like a grad programme or management stream where a 2.1 is the minimum usually, then a MSc might help 'make up' for the 2.2. If you want to do a PhD then an MSc is probably the only way you could be accepted/get funding for that with a 2.2. If you want to be a psychologist then I suggest looking up the many previous threads on this subject and what you need to do to get into it, because it's not obvious.

Lockdowndramaqueen · 21/01/2021 21:12

I got a 2:2. Went on to get a high distinction at Masters which I competed while pregnant and wrote up my thesis with a 4 month old baby next to me so anything is possible. I think working out why you want to do it will be important. If you are motivated I don’t think there is anything to stop you. It’s hard work with a baby through.

lastqueenofscotland · 21/01/2021 21:13

If you’re struggling with workload at undergrad I think masters would be crippling. My full time MSC was 2 days taught but I spent 8-10 hours a day on it 6 days a week, I got a distinction but my god it was a graft and there were people doing significantly more work than me who didn’t do as well.
Everyone I know who’s done an MSc and most people I know who’ve done a MA have found it at points, a real slog, and I think you’d need to seriously consider childcare options etc before signing up.

What do you want to do afterwards in any case? There might be someone with more expertise in that specific area

parietal · 21/01/2021 21:20

I teach psychology at MSc level.

Think carefully about what you want to do after the MSc. it is just one year but is expensive & big investment. there are many different varieties of Psychology MSc - some lead towards a PhD and others towards a specific specialization (organizational / educational psyc etc). choose carefully which one you want to do and make sure you will have the time to study properly before you get started.

Tickledtrout · 21/01/2021 21:27

How old is your daughter op? Agree it's your other commitments that are preventing your academic success so timing and support is everything.
Sorry for your losses.
There's more than one route to being a psychologist trust me.
What areas are you most interested in?

Original poster
deletingsugar · 21/01/2021 21:36

I'm interested in social research cognitive social psychology. I was thinking of doing something for a think tank or applying to the civil service social research fast stream.

OP posts:
Original poster
deletingsugar · 21/01/2021 21:36

My daughter is 5 in reception.

OP posts:
zzzaaaqqq · 21/01/2021 21:46

You can do that without a masters though. Would a masters add that much value to your CV? What if you get a bad grade in your masters?

Original poster
deletingsugar · 21/01/2021 21:51

I also want to make up for the bad statistics grade. I knew I could have done better and is love to practice doing psychological research with some competency.

OP posts:
Original poster
deletingsugar · 21/01/2021 21:52

You can do that without a masters though

Yeah if I have a 1st or a 2:1. But I wont get a grade like that.

OP posts:
infinitediamonds · 21/01/2021 21:58

Had you looked at the costs of it? Masters loans are paid back on top of undergrad, so ends up as a big drain on your income. Personally I would wait and come back to it later.

Original poster
deletingsugar · 21/01/2021 22:14

you’d need to seriously consider childcare options etc before signing up

Yes, I'd have that to take in to consideration especially as a single mum.

OP posts:
Original poster
deletingsugar · 21/01/2021 22:15

You should contact your university asap as they can usually consider special circumstances when calculating module or even degree results

Sorry I'm not sure what you mean by this.

OP posts:
Original poster
deletingsugar · 21/01/2021 22:16

Could you work in the field a bit and go back for the masters when you’re in a better place?

How? Who would take me on with bad grades?

OP posts:
Original poster
deletingsugar · 21/01/2021 22:18

I worked full time but came home and did 2-3 hrs each and every night without fail

2 hours before DD wakes up and 2 hours after she falls asleep, plus 30 minutes when shes watching TV or playing a few times a day. I can find the time.

OP posts:
Original poster
deletingsugar · 21/01/2021 22:19

Had you looked at the costs of it? Masters loans are paid back on top of undergrad

So you pay undergrad and postgraduate back at the same time?

OP posts:
NameV12345 · 21/01/2021 22:27

Please look into the extenuating circumstances policy at the uni you attend. You should have some kind of academic tutor or personal advisor you can speak to? If not, email the degree lead to ask them.

Bailegangaire · 21/01/2021 22:42

I would look very careful at what the masters’ in research methods actually consists of. I did one (not in psychology), and it was very much designed as the first year of a doctorate — the content would have been of very little interest to anyone who wasn’t.

bottleofbeer · 21/01/2021 22:46

No, just depends on whether that classification meets entry requirements for the masters you want to do.

I found undergrad harder in the sense that it felt more scrutinised. But you can't do much with psychology unless you take it to PhD. If you understand stats and research methods then you have done the hard part.

YakkityYakYakYak · 21/01/2021 22:51

I got a 2.2 in my undergraduate and went on to get a distinction in my masters, with an award for the highest overall performance on the course.
So it can definitely be done. But it took a huge amount of time and effort, that I hadn’t applied in my first degree.
Is a part time masters an option? Might be easier to spread the work out if you’re balancing lots of other things

Hangingover · 21/01/2021 22:58

I would look very careful at what the masters’ in research methods actually consists of. I did one (not in psychology), and it was very much designed as the first year of a doctorate — the content would have been of very little interest to anyone who wasn’t

Mine was a bit like this in places too. When I told them I wasn't stay to PhD they thought I was "dropping out".

Also (and I got a high 2:1 for UG and found it quite easy) my MA was HARD. I did nothing but study. I'm glad I did it but I probably wouldn't do it again tbh, it was really demanding.