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If someone has a 2:1 English literature degree , would you say they are very intelligent/academic?

389 replies

Curiousss · 10/02/2025 18:57

Just basically this question, curious to know what people think.

OP posts:
calimali · 10/02/2025 18:58

Which uni?

FuggoUggo · 10/02/2025 18:58

No not at all. A 2:1 is a standard degree result id say

MyFlightWasAwfulThanksForAsking · 10/02/2025 18:59

Nope. I've got one of those and I'm pretty dim.

Brightyellowflowers · 10/02/2025 18:59

I have a 2.1 English Lit degree from a Russell Group University and I'd say I'm probably average intelligence at best :D

Apfelkuchen · 10/02/2025 18:59

No, I’d think they are bright but average for a graduate. Neither very academic nor intelligent.

Gardendiary · 10/02/2025 19:00

MyFlightWasAwfulThanksForAsking · 10/02/2025 18:59

Nope. I've got one of those and I'm pretty dim.

😁 same!

BelgianBeers · 10/02/2025 19:00

I would question anyone who thought, with some notable exceptions for high achievements in certain areas, they could tell much about someone’s intelligence by their degree.

DangerMouseAndPenfoldx · 10/02/2025 19:00

No, I’d say it would depend on the person themselves.

The degree shows they are able to apply themselves consistently, problem solve, take direction, distil information etc.

merediththethird · 10/02/2025 19:00

Russell Group or Oxbridge? Yes

The kind of uni that advertises on the back of a bus? Roehampton, UWE etc. Not necessarily (though perhaps)

CraftyNavySeal · 10/02/2025 19:00

110 IQ. Slightly smarter than average but not Einstein.

MarkingBad · 10/02/2025 19:02

Depends on how you measure intelligence and which kind of intelligence.

lightsandtunnels · 10/02/2025 19:03

I'd say they can read and interpret some challenging books but I don't think that makes you generally intelligent or academic.

For me an academic is someone who becomes a Dr in their field. Intelligence comes in many forms. My DH is intelligent; knows lots of random facts, can argue points really cleverly and is an expert in business but has no formal qualifications beyond a couple of low grade O levels. I have a 2:1 in Humanities and English and he is way more intelligent than I am!

TuesdayRubies · 10/02/2025 19:04

BelgianBeers · 10/02/2025 19:00

I would question anyone who thought, with some notable exceptions for high achievements in certain areas, they could tell much about someone’s intelligence by their degree.

Agreed.

Gwenhwyfar · 10/02/2025 19:04

FuggoUggo · 10/02/2025 18:58

No not at all. A 2:1 is a standard degree result id say

Depends on the person's age. It wasn't so standard a few decades ago.

Cattery · 10/02/2025 19:04

I got a 2:2 in literature ☹️

Gwenhwyfar · 10/02/2025 19:06

I would consider them to be intelligent/academic, but not necessarily 'very'.
I think you won't necessarily get a good answer here on MN OP where everyone is so successful :).

madamweb · 10/02/2025 19:06

lightsandtunnels · 10/02/2025 19:03

I'd say they can read and interpret some challenging books but I don't think that makes you generally intelligent or academic.

For me an academic is someone who becomes a Dr in their field. Intelligence comes in many forms. My DH is intelligent; knows lots of random facts, can argue points really cleverly and is an expert in business but has no formal qualifications beyond a couple of low grade O levels. I have a 2:1 in Humanities and English and he is way more intelligent than I am!

You are confusing being "an academic" with being "academic".

Julen7 · 10/02/2025 19:07

Gardendiary · 10/02/2025 19:00

😁 same!

And me 🤷🏻‍♂️

Gwenhwyfar · 10/02/2025 19:07

"For me an academic is someone who becomes a Dr in their field"

She wrote academic as an adjective though and not 'an academic'.

Gwenhwyfar · 10/02/2025 19:07

madamweb · 10/02/2025 19:06

You are confusing being "an academic" with being "academic".

Cross-posted, sorry.

liveandlearn73628 · 10/02/2025 19:08

Not particularly. I know some very intelligent people without degrees though

babiesinthesnowflakes · 10/02/2025 19:08

Reasonably intelligent, yes. Very intelligent, no.

Rockingroll · 10/02/2025 19:08

If it’s from a Russell group / oxbridge / other top uni then yes. If it’s from a lower ranked uni, no, probably not.

Peacecanbe · 10/02/2025 19:08

Yes

GermanBite · 10/02/2025 19:08

Apfelkuchen · 10/02/2025 18:59

No, I’d think they are bright but average for a graduate. Neither very academic nor intelligent.

If someone had a 2:1 from Oxford while working through uni, you'd think they weren't very academic or intelligent?

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