to think graduating with a 2:1 is not the same as graduating with a First?

[ClaudiaGooselover]

I am due to graduate this week from a top RG Uni, which is a massive achievement considering I've completed my studies around difficult life circumstances and having four children. I have achieved a First. However, my university sent me a letter saying I have a 2:1. When I queried it they said one assignment was three months late so I received no mark for it. This was incorrect and I was able to provide the mark and comment sheet to demonstrate I actually submitted it early.

They are now 'liasing' about this and said they'll just change my certificate after graduation if need be. Aibu to think that this isn't good enough? I've told everyone at uni and from my family who are attending that I have a First, I wanted the experience of being announced as a First after how hard I've worked to achieve it.

YANBU fight it

I thought you didn't get the actual certificate at graduation anyway. They send it later.

It's more the announcement thing I think the OP is angry about

They won't announce the grade you got at graduation.

YANBU! It's not good enough at all! They could at least read out 'First' on the day even if they can't change the certificate in time.

(I did actually come on to say that in reality there isn't much difference in terms of jobs/work etc, unless you're going for something majorly competitive).

Does it really matter?

I would not be impressed. How did they communicate that you had a first, was there any paperwork involved with that?

I'd like to think they put some effort in to rectify their error in time for you to graduate as you should.

Erm, they did at mine.... All the 3rds went up together then the 2:2s etc.

The grade will be printed in the leaflet all attendees get though. Fight them it's not good enough.

They did at mine ElizabethLemon, and the Firsts were presented first, then the 2:1 etc. And I got my certificate at the ceremony.

Really?! I graduated last year and we went up alphabetically.

We graduated alphabetically.

I've been to graduations of several people and it's always been alphabetically.

All my assignments received a first grade, therefore I knew I'd received a first. The one they've muddled up and given me 0 brings it down to a 2:1.

I'm pretty sure I went up with the other 2.1's at my RG uni. Absolutely fight for it if it's announced!

They do often distinguish a first from other grades. I think at mine those with a first got to shake someone's hand rather than just do a little bob/bow at them*.And they were listed as having a first in the programme.

Definitely fight it.

• I might be wrong about this, as it was so dull and long-winded I nodded off at one point, but there was definitely something different.

Bloody hell, they sound incompetent. I'd kick up hell.

When I graduated, which was some time ago admittedly, they did acknowledge people with firsts.

Fight that!

YANBU

Fight them - but if it is not able to be changed at this stage please take heart in that your family and friends the people who matter to you know there is a mistake and it will be corrected.

It is a great achievement to obtain a degree. I am currently studying with OU and know how hard it can be to get up with kids after burning the midnight oil studying. I know there are times if i had read that extra paper or went through draft earlier (gone that extra mile) I cold have bumped my marks up to grade 1 (which is what we need to maintain for first classification)

Its very unfortunate this has marred your ceremony but please - youve bloody well done it!

OP YANBU.

However find out what the protocol at graduation is first. Many places do alphabetical order these days, and you get the certificate later in almost every case. But yes, fight it!

We graduated alphabetically too, there was no segregation in what grade was received. There was definitely no announcement either. I've never heard of universities doing that, seems a bit off when there is often things going on behind the scenes (like this) regarding grading.

A 2.1 is great OP but it's not your grade, you got a first and you should definitely fight for it.

P.S. I do like your "top RG uni" comment because god forbid, anyone think you were slumming it at an ex-poly.

Yanbu.

At my graduation we did all go alphabetically...except those with firsts who went up separately. And the degree classification was printed on the programme.

A 2:1 is a fantastic degree to have...except when actually you got a first. Definitely fight it.

I graduated in 2010 so would imagine my university still does the same.