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

Original poster

deletingsugar · 22/01/2021 09:54

Oh, and my university are aware of my circumstances. I just dont think they'll bump up my grade just because I've had a lot to deal with.

OP posts:

Blackjackontherocks · 22/01/2021 10:03

@deletingsugar

Oh, and my university are aware of my circumstances. I just dont think they'll bump up my grade just because I've had a lot to deal with.

That’s exactly what they might do!

I did an undergrad as a mature student. Got sepsis in my third year around dissertation submission time. I submitted mitigating circs and they bumped my dissertation grade up to the match my performance in the course up to then.

Blackjackontherocks · 22/01/2021 10:05

To add, there was a deadline to submit the mitigating circumstances so you may be out of time for the second year stuff, but could apply for the third year.

dubyalass · 22/01/2021 10:18

@deletingsugar

Oh, and my university are aware of my circumstances. I just dont think they'll bump up my grade just because I've had a lot to deal with.

They may well do - during my undergrad I was dealing with some major family problems and my own mental health took a battering in the process - I ended up being admitted to a mental health ward. I had a meeting with my HoD once I was discharged and told him what had been going on, and he couldn't have been more helpful. With everything you've been through, plus the background of the pandemic, you have definite grounds for grade adjustment due to mitigating circumstances.

OTOH I think you should maybe give yourself a break for a year before going on to do a master's. I've just finished a full-time MSc and I wasn't having to singlehandedly look after a child as well. It was brutal at times, partly because of timetabling but also just because of the workload. Like someone else I was working six or seven days a week well into the evening in the run up to deadlines. Part-time wasn't an option to me because I could only get a year off work but it might be better in your case.

I would also book a meeting with your tutor and have an honest discussion about ways forward. If you have struggled with managing your commitments during your undergrad, a master's might well be too much for you.

dubyalass · 22/01/2021 10:20

Forgot to say: I am very sorry for your loss. My circumstances were similar and it was devastating.

mindutopia · 22/01/2021 10:55

I'm a lecturer and I make admissions decisions for our MSc programmes. It's completely possible to be accepted with a 2:2, but no we wouldn't take anyone with a 3rd. This is a top Russell group university though, so this may be different other places. Normally our requirement is a 1st or 2:1, but we make special exceptions when people have lower marks but have clearly proven they have overcome any earlier challenges and have really unique skills or work experience that makes them stand out from other applicants. I wouldn't accept someone with a 2:2 with no work experience though.

They'll want to see that you were able to apply what you learnt in your BSc, explored the field, have interesting and varied work experiences, and have a really clear idea of what you want to do with an MSc and the interests you want to explore, for example, in your dissertation or optional modules.

If you are just graduating now, you aren't long out of the difficult period you went through. It sounds like you need to give yourself a break from education, work, build experience, figure out what you want to do with an MSc and then come back and apply. It isn't really suitable as something to do just because you want to prove that you can do it again and do a better job now. You need to get out there and show them that you have the professional skills to pursue this as a career.

I would think about what sort of job you can get now to get some work experience. You absolutely can get a job with a 2:2. Any job working with people would be beneficial to building your experience. If you are able to take on some volunteer or unpaid work, that would also help (I know this is potentially really difficult with a small child!). If you are interested in research methods, you might consider asking around your uni if anyone is hiring research assistants or anyone to do admin work on a research study. This would be really attractive on an MSc application and it means you get some research experience.

Cardboard33 · 22/01/2021 14:28

@deletingsugar: if the university are aware of your MCs, what have they asked you to do? Particularly regarding the exam that you missed. If you do not do a piece of assessment for whatever reason then it's common place that you have to do it and pass at a later date (or an alternative assessment) in order to get the ETCS credits towards your degree. They're not just going to give you a degree if you do not meet the degree regulations. End of discussion. The External Examiners at the Board would not allow it to happen.

You need to rectify this issue now with your programme team. If they haven't been forthcoming about when you need to resit the exam (or when/how they will consider your MCs) then ask them. There's no point thinking anything else at all until you have this current degree sorted.

I also have extensive experience in PG admissions decisions and echo all of what @mindutopia has said but right now that won't help you because from what you've said about missing assessments, you won't be graduating with a degree this year anyway.

Cardboard33 · 22/01/2021 14:35

Just to add, at my uni we wouldn't bump up your grade just because you had MCs. If you were borderline and met the uplift criteria then we would, as we would with all students in that position. Your MCs are first and foremost around getting the resits/resubmissions to be uncapped first attempts rather than final capped attempts. However, your programme team and handbook will certainly know the policy for your particular programme at your university and be happy to discuss it with you, or approach the Senior Tutor who is responsible for student welfare in confidence.

Pundemmic · 22/01/2021 15:11

I would say go for it! It’s very different to doing a degree and it also gives you the advantage over the thousands with degrees. You can also specialise. I think people feel that you need to be really intelligent to take them but in the US it’s both standard and expected that when you reach a certain level you do an MA to consolidate your position and keep your career moving forward.

Original poster

deletingsugar · 22/01/2021 16:00

@dubyalass

Thank you. Yes I think you're right. It's probably best to take some time out and do a masters part time as I work.

Cardboard- I know I will have to retake. I dont think I'm special enough to just get a degree with no work. I wouldn't be able to handle a masters if so.

OP posts:

Poppyseeds2 · 22/01/2021 16:04

I wouldn’t do a masters at the moment not just because of your back story.

Mainly because of the economy right now. Could you apply for jobs and see how you get on from there.

doadeer · 22/01/2021 16:13

I found a masters a big step up from BA.. It was so many more hours for me too (history) and I had a 1st. I would have struggled in your situation. I also had to work every day to self fund.

dubyalass · 22/01/2021 16:19

Wishing you lots of luck whatever you decide. You sound determined and that's half the battle!

TabbyStar · 22/01/2021 16:28

I did a social research Master's with the Open University and I found it fairly easy, but then I'd had a lot of work-related experience already. (I started a second Master's and also found that pretty straightforward.) The research skills have definitely been helpful career-wise, it's pretty technical / academic too, particularly the quant stuff, and it's not really something you tend to get a little bit of experience in in a job IME, you kind of have to be able to do it properly to do it at all.

Original poster

deletingsugar · 23/01/2021 08:11

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Doing a masters with a 2:2 or 3rd. Bad idea?65

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Yesterday 09:44deletingsugar

I wont get anything above a 2:2. Just going by how I performed in term one, as well as missing the exam for a very difficult module. I know it will be a low to mid 2:2.

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Yesterday 09:54deletingsugar

Oh, and my university are aware of my circumstances. I just dont think they'll bump up my grade just because I've had a lot to deal with.

OP’s posts:See next|See all

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Yesterday 10:03Blackjackontherocks

deletingsugar

Oh, and my university are aware of my circumstances. I just dont think they'll bump up my grade just because I've had a lot to deal with.

That’s exactly what theymightdo!

I did an undergrad as a mature student. Got sepsis in my third year around dissertation submission time. I submitted mitigating circs and they bumped my dissertation grade up to the match my performance in the course up to then.

Bookmark

Yesterday 10:05Blackjackontherocks

To add, there was a deadline to submit the mitigating circumstances so you may be out of time for the second year stuff, but could apply for the third year.

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Yesterday 10:18dubyalass

deletingsugar

Oh, and my university are aware of my circumstances. I just dont think they'll bump up my grade just because I've had a lot to deal with.

They may well do - during my undergrad I was dealing with some major family problems and my own mental health took a battering in the process - I ended up being admitted to a mental health ward. I had a meeting with my HoD once I was discharged and told him what had been going on, and he couldn't have been more helpful. With everything you've been through, plus the background of the pandemic, you have definite grounds for grade adjustment due to mitigating circumstances.

OTOH I think you should maybe give yourself a break for a year before going on to do a master's. I've just finished a full-time MSc and I wasn't having to singlehandedly look after a child as well. It was brutal at times, partly because of timetabling but also just because of the workload. Like someone else I was working six or seven days a week well into the evening in the run up to deadlines. Part-time wasn't an option to me because I could only get a year off work but it might be better in your case.

I would also book a meeting with your tutor and have an honest discussion about ways forward. If you have struggled with managing your commitments during your undergrad, a master's might well be too much for you.

Bookmark

Yesterday 10:20dubyalass

Forgot to say: I am very sorry for your loss. My circumstances were similar and it was devastating.

Bookmark

Yesterday 10:55mindutopia

I'm a lecturer and I make admissions decisions for our MSc programmes. It's completely possible to be accepted with a 2:2, but no we wouldn't take anyone with a 3rd. This is a top Russell group university though, so this may be different other places. Normally our requirement is a 1st or 2:1, but we make special exceptions when people have lower marks but have clearly proven they have overcome any earlier challenges and have really unique skills or work experience that makes them stand out from other applicants. I wouldn't accept someone with a 2:2 with no work experience though.

They'll want to see that you were able to apply what you learnt in your BSc, explored the field, have interesting and varied work experiences, and have a really clear idea of what you want to do with an MSc and the interests you want to explore, for example, in your dissertation or optional modules.

If you are just graduating now, you aren't long out of the difficult period you went through. It sounds like you need to give yourself a break from education, work, build experience, figure out what you want to do with an MSc and then come back and apply. It isn't really suitable as something to do just because you want to prove that you can do it again and do a better job now. You need to get out there and show them that you have the professional skills to pursue this as a career.

I would think about what sort of job you can get now to get some work experience. You absolutely can get a job with a 2:2. Any job working with people would be beneficial to building your experience. If you are able to take on some volunteer or unpaid work, that would also help (I know this is potentially really difficult with a small child!). If you are interested in research methods, you might consider asking around your uni if anyone is hiring research assistants or anyone to do admin work on a research study. This would be really attractive on an MSc application and it means you get some research experience.

Bookmark

Yesterday 14:28Cardboard33

@deletingsugar: if the university are aware of your MCs, what have they asked you to do? Particularly regarding the exam that you missed. If you do not do a piece of assessment for whatever reason then it's common place that you have to do it and pass at a later date (or an alternative assessment) in order to get the ETCS credits towards your degree. They're not just going to give you a degree if you do not meet the degree regulations. End of discussion. The External Examiners at the Board would not allow it to happen.

You need to rectify this issue now with your programme team. If they haven't been forthcoming about when you need to resit the exam (or when/how they will consider your MCs) then ask them. There's no point thinking anything else at all until you have this current degree sorted.

I also have extensive experience in PG admissions decisions and echo all of what@mindutopiahas said but right now that won't help you because from what you've said about missing assessments, you won't be graduating with a degree this year anyway.

Bookmark

Yesterday 14:35Cardboard33

Just to add, at my uni we wouldn't bump up your grade just because you had MCs. If you were borderline and met the uplift criteria then we would, as we would with all students in that position. Your MCs are first and foremost around getting the resits/resubmissions to be uncapped first attempts rather than final capped attempts. However, your programme team and handbook will certainly know the policy for your particular programme at your university and be happy to discuss it with you, or approach the Senior Tutor who is responsible for student welfare in confidence.

Bookmark

Yesterday 15:11Pundemmic

I would say go for it! It’s very different to doing a degree and it also gives you the advantage over the thousands with degrees. You can also specialise. I think people feel that you need to be really intelligent to take them but in the US it’s both standard and expected that when you reach a certain level you do an MA to consolidate your position and keep your career moving forward.

Bookmark

Yesterday 16:00deletingsugar

@dubyalass

Thank you. Yes I think you're right. It's probably best to take some time out and do a masters part time as I work.

Cardboard- I know I will have to retake. I dont think I'm special enough to just get a degree with no work. I wouldn't be able to handle a masters if so.

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Yesterday 16:04Poppyseeds2

I wouldn’t do a masters at the moment not just because of your back story.

Mainly because of the economy right now*

Somebody I spoke to said that doing a masters after my undergrad would be a good idea for the very reason that the economy is bad.

I'm going to apply to jobs but with my history, it's going to be difficult when lots of graduates have firsts and 2:1s.

OP posts:

Original poster

deletingsugar · 23/01/2021 08:12

Dont know what happened there. That was suppose to be like this:

*I wouldn’t do a masters at the moment not just because of your back story.

Mainly because of the economy right now*

Somebody I spoke to said that doing a masters after my undergrad would be a good idea for the very reason that the economy is bad.

I'm going to apply to jobs but with my history, it's going to be difficult when lots of graduates have firsts and 2:1s.

OP posts:

DanceWithYourBalloon · 23/01/2021 08:27

I did a masters part time as I was pregnant with my first and then ended up having another by the time I graduated.

I say do it. I found a masters soooo much easier than my undergraduate degree and if you have enthusiasm for your subject then the battle is half won.

Good luck!

bottleofbeer · 23/01/2021 16:17

Obviously all courses are different but my workloads is SO much less at MSc. By April all modules are submitted and I've got a clear three months to write my dissertation without any other modules hanging over me.

I got a first by the skin of my teeth, my grades (touch wood) on masters are pretty much all mid 70s. We were judged much more harshly on UG. Have I become so much better overnight? No, but I'm getting clear distinctions for what I'd have probably got a mid 2:1 grade at UG 💁‍♀️

Original poster

deletingsugar · 24/01/2021 14:37

bottleofbeer

Wow, congrats. Hope it all goes well for you.

OP posts:

Original poster

deletingsugar · 24/01/2021 14:39

The civil service have a social researcher role in their graduate scheme- the fast stream. You need a 2:1 at undergrad, but you can also apply if you have a 2:2 and a masters last time I checked. Could be a way in. I could get a civil service job and get my masters part time then apply for the fast stream?

OP posts:

WTAFIhavelosttheferret · 24/01/2021 16:40

@deletingsugar

The civil service have a social researcher role in their graduate scheme- the fast stream. You need a 2:1 at undergrad, but you can also apply if you have a 2:2 and a masters last time I checked. Could be a way in. I could get a civil service job and get my masters part time then apply for the fast stream?

Entry to the civil service is currently very competitive due to CV19.

QueenoftheAir · 24/01/2021 17:13

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

Frankly, not at the moment in your domestic circumstances. Work in the field for a few years.

Original poster

deletingsugar · 24/01/2021 18:05

Entry to the civil service is currently very competitive due to CV19

I still think it's worth a shot.

OP posts:

HelloILoveYou · 24/01/2021 19:14

I went on to do a masters having a 2:2 (in science area). I had been doing very well, until a serious sexual assault in my final year, and the follow on issues ...

I went on to do a MSc and actually found it easier. I knew it was what I wanted to do, I was focused/determined, and the specializations helped me. I could also pick a project that was of interest to me and I was (somewhat) passionate about.

Original poster

deletingsugar · 25/01/2021 13:03

So sorry @HelloILoveYou

I would think that an msc would be harder. Shopping around, most universities ask for a 2:1, even the lower ranked ones- which is strange. My university ask for a 2:2 despite being mid tier and having a good reputation.

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

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