Masters app – explain patchy BA transcript?

[IGottaLeaveSuddenlyIHaveToGo]

Hi everyone, wondering if anyone might be able to offer any insight.

I’m currently putting an application together for a masters.

My undergraduate degree was in a relevant area and I would say I have an aptitude for the subject. (Was always top of my class at school and got 100% in my A Level in the subject). However looking back at my academic transcript, I can see that it might raise some questions (or at least might not thoroughly demonstrate ability).

Although I got a 2:1 overall, there were some challenging personal circumstances early on in my degree (an unexpected bereavement in unusual circumstances) which definitely impacted some modules, in particular my second year. Some elements I missed and others were just extremely late which wiped out the high marks I actually received for the work itself, resulting in a crop of modules in the 40-55 range.

I can see that for a third party it might just look like I don’t find the subject very easy (?)

Now I’m wondering if I should include some additional information about this or if this unnecessary or might even be counterproductive? (To be honest in a way I’d rather not mention it really as it feels ‘excusey’ and was some time ago – but if it would be likely to raise questions otherwise then I would).

Just wondering if anyone can advise or has any personal experience or insight? Many TIA!

You've got a 2.1, assuming it's a relevant subject/meets the criteria for admission, it's highly unlikely they'll look much beyond that tbh.

Ah ok thanks – good to know!

i agree. If you have a 2:1, you will meet the admissions criteria. I do admissions for an MSc and I would assume you have good grades in y1, much weaker grades y2, and strong grades in Y3 - I would read that as some personal issues in y2 and overcome in y3 which I would read as positive. I don’t think you need to worry.

Thank you for the insight, that’s good to know!

Hugely dependent on the subject area of course but in my discipline (social sciences) and at my university (old RG), it's a real struggle to fill Masters places.

As long as you have a 2:2 and appear to be from planet Earth, you'd get an offer 😅

I'm not involved with admissions but I'm an academic and would assume the same.

haha reassuring 😂😂

Great, thank you! :)

I'm just about to start an Arts Masters. I did Maths at uni and really blipped getting a Third. The rest of my academic career and prof career shows it was a blip. The interview was tough but I was offered an unconditional place. Start in early Oct!

Well done and congrats! Thanks for sharing, that’s encouraging. Hope you have a great time on the course :)

I don't think Masters places are anything like as competitive as undergrad ones, certainly not for either of mine.

I must admit I have been getting that impression – the few admissions teams I’ve spoken to have sounded very excited when we spoke on the phone! (Which I don’t think I can claim credit for 😂)

In my faculty the masters are very competitive! Im not even sure I'd have got into the one I run!