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.

I went to a RG uni, people with firsts were separated at graduation. Sounds like they're being lazy/inefficient so I'd push to have it sorted out. YANBU.

YANBU. I would check with them about the graduation process. Ask whether your grade is announced.

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

It will be listed in the programme and at one graduation I have been to those who got a 1st went up on stage alone, the others went up in threes

I work at a non Russell Group university and we are in the top 10 in all national league tables (and in many cases top 5).

For research??

Congratulations!

Can you get a tutor to step up for you? I was told I had not attended one exam, and therefore had failed I had sat the exam, but they had "lost" my paper. My tutor spoke to them and suddenly they found it, just in time.

Must say I'm really surprised at sending people up by grade. Many in my uni worked 40+ hours a week in bars, coffee shops or Tesco as well as studying full time. I consider their 2.1s to be as respectable as a 1st obtained by someone who didn't have to work. Obviously OP worked supporting her family and still got a 1st, but in general this would make me uncomfortable.

I went to an RG uni and I don't think the people with a First got called up separately. However, I actually think it's nice that they do this in some places, reflects people's hard work. If your uni does this, definitely fight it.

My uni awarded me a 2:2 by mistake as they added my marks up wrong when I phoned them to query it they said "oh yes, we were going to call you, we made a mistake". They did manage to rectify it before graduation though.

YANBU. At my graduation those who achieved a 1st were marked on the programme. I would be kicking up a fuss too.

I like Siqac's idea of getting a tutor to speak up for you. I'd be really upset and angry too. Doesn't matter what kind of university you attend. And for everyone else, I think the point the OP was making is that she has worked very hard over a long period of time, to do the absolute best she can, and now an administrative fuck up means that she wont get the recognition she deserves and has earned.

Don't the Uni have a student prtal that you log on to to see your assignment grades?

whatever not all top research institutions are necessarily part of RG. It's pretty much a members' club. I went to two RG places btw, so not bitter or anything, but it isn't as impressive as they like to make out.

I'm an academic at a Russell Group uni and graduated each time from a RG university. At none of these ceremonies were classifications printed or announced.

Are they announced or printed OP at your university? Have you spoken to the Director of Learning and Teaching or Head of School? Alternatively maybe the union could help speed up the process? Clearly your certificate and transcript are essential to have right but if there is no differentiation at the ceremony, it won't matter for that bit. By the way, transcripts and certs can be printed very quickly. I've known reprints be done in the morning for an afternoon ceremony, but only once!

I've got degrees from a RG uni and two non-RG unis. At the RG and one of the non-RG unis firsts were marked in the program with an * and it was announced in front of your name e.g. With a first in x degree Bob Smith.

Have they confirmed that you have actually got a 1st? I can't see why they are uming and arring.

I was at Bristol (one of those Russell group universities) and the firsts went up separately

Go straight to the Head of Teaching - don't bother with a tutor/lecturer because the hold up is probably in admin somewhere, and the ordinary academic won't know who has your paperwork this week (it will be as big a mystery to them as it is to you). Kick up a major fuss

Btw. Congratulations Claudia. You must be very pleased with yourself and rightly so.

sillyass where do you find the strength to get over something like that?