To leave my degree off my CV

[Beelzebop]

I am a trained teacher, desperate for a career change but every which way I try, I am blocked by my shitty third class degree. Which was crap, but it is a result of undiagnosed mh problems after being abused. Ironically, these same problems, having worked successfully through them now, are what inspire me to go into child protection. Nobody is interested in any of my child protection experience, my deputy headship and more. Each time I just come up against someone who says something like "Well, to do the BA you need BBC at A Level but we have to consider your degree...".
AIBU to ask if I can get away with forgetting my degree? I just want to be a Social Worker, I'd be brilliant I know it! Does anyone know any other way other than starting a degree again? I would obviously have to pay and that just isn't possible, even with Open University installments. Feel sad, old and washed up. 😢

I've applied for BA in Social Work which requires A levels and GCSE s, which I have. I have ten years of teaching in challenging environments, including as a deputy head. I also work as a voluntary child welfare officer for a cricket club. I have mentioned this to them, and tbh am good at this sort of stuff over the phone. Sorry. About typing, terrible phone!

I have never put my degree result on my CV and I got a 2:1. I don't think anybody has ever asked!

However, I have a degree in genetics and now work in marketing, so I include a line about how my dissertation was in medical communications to show why it's relevant.

I only ever include the most recent and valid qualifications on my CV too, so no A Levels or GCSEs

Are people really that bothered about it being a Third? In things like healthcare, social work etc I've never known anyone to be bothered.

Just put your degree title and not classification. Did you get a masters qualification while you were teaching? Surely that is worth more than your degree. I don't have any GCSE or A-level grades on my CV, and for some jobs I don't think I have included my degree classification and nobody has ever commented. I'd have thought your experience was worth far more than your degree classification. Have you asked somebody working in the field to look over your applications in case there is something else you can add?

Have you actually submitted a full application for consideration WITH a dazzling, explanatory Personal Statement?

Or are you taking the verbal remarks of admissions officers on board and not trying?

You are being rejected specifically because although all your other qualifications meet the requirements, you have in addition a third class degree in an unrelated subject?

I have ten years of teaching in challenging environments, including as a deputy head. I also work as a voluntary child welfare officer for a cricket club. I have mentioned this to them, and tbh am good at this sort of stuff over the phone

It doesn't matter how good you are on the phone. APPLY! You want a formal decision on a full written application. That experience is highly relevant.

Apologies, I see the issue.

My point (not worded well) is don't hide the degree OP, regardless of the classification it shows you are capable of level 6 working - well above their level 3 entry requirements. Best ring the admissions department, as you say it's easier to speak. Best of luck to you for your application. It's a tough job but very rewarding

Are you sure

A) they don't think you're applying for a Masters
Or
B) the concern is funding because you already have a degree - not the grade.?

I worked in HE for 30yrs - what you seem to be saying makes no sense to me! You are more than qualified to do another bachelors degree!

I agree that they're saying no to the post grad route to social care, as that is a masters top up.

Have you made it clear that you are applying for the undergrad course? You might not be eligible for funding if you already have one but you can do as many under grad degrees as you like

Isn´t there usually a space for more information somewhere on the application? I would write in there why you got a 3rd in your degree. Make sure they know it was due to circumstance rather than lack of ability.

What does it matter if it was ability or effort? There is no shame in having a third - it's still an Honours degree! When I went to uni in '74 some degrees were not even honours - just ordinary. As someone up thread noted - it's a significantly higher qualification than A levels and shows that you are capable of critical and independent thought.

FGS stop being ashamed of it! Yes, you might have been capable of getting a higher grade but it is what it is. You did well to get a 3rd in the circumstance, this shows your resilience. Celebrate that.

What's all the phone business? I just applied for the course and took my chances. Why don't you just submit an application?

I think they will know that you've left it out though. After all, to reach deputy head level you'd need a degree, surely? Unless you taught in private schools, where teaching qualifications are not necessary.

Given that, I would say leaving your degree off your CV or application to SW qualification would be unlikely to be successful. I also think it looks a bit suspicious, like you've something to hide.

You are looking to enter a profession where integrity and honesty is paramount. Although it would not be a complete lie to omit your degree from a CV, I think it is less than completely honest and could come back to bite you at a later date. But that's just my opinion.

I have spoken to the admission tutor and yes, the only issue is the degree. Ridiculous. She will not accept an application! Thanks for help. I can't lie, even by admission you're right and the first question they ask is what class? I am going to review my options. Thanks so much for your help! Xx

beelzebop, that is so incredibly hard and seems unjust given your level of experience and proven work record. Did the admissions officer offer any advice? Can you apply elsewhere? Please do not let it put you off.

Why don't you apply for a post graduate SW degree? Loans are being introduced for PG degrees and it might be cheaper than OU.

My local uni, they ask for a 2:1 but they also say to talk to them if you have other qualifications / experience, which you have.

courses.wlv.ac.uk/course.asp?code=SO016P01UVU

But you've only spoken to one university?

Firstly, from a funding point of view, you would be far better off applying for a postgraduate academic qualification - provided you do not already have one. You should then be eligible for the brand new postgraduate loan.

Secondly, you need to look further afield. Most universities give the impression that they are very keen to welcome more mature candidates and are willing to place experience above (old) academic qualifications.

Try twenty other places - emphasising your experience - and see what happens. (I am aware this might mean moving or a ridiculous commute.)

Missing off your classification seems OK but omitting a degree strikes me as something that could be deemed a false statement, and be used to sack you at some point in the future.

Can you appeal the admissions tutor's decision formally? I'd be inclined to try and arrange a time to discuss in person, and ask about their appeals/complaints procedure - doesn't sound you have a lot to lose if they won't accept the application when you have special circumstances around the degree. It seems like a crazy decision to me, sorry you're in this position.

I don't understand why you're applying for an undergrad. Is it because you don't meet the criteria for a post-grad SW degree?

She must think you are applying for the masters - that's the only thing that makes sense - never in all my years in HE have I come across a situation like the one you describe. You more than meet the criteria for doing an undergrad degree - you do not meet the criteria for a masters.

Having said that I did an MA with only a third - I was accepted on the basis of my added years experience (teaching!). I have taught in 4 universities - in all of them experience was allowed to be taken into account if academic grades from years before were not high enough!

Have you done a search for PG conversion courses? Can you get work in the area in order to do a work based learning degree? (like the OU degree in SW) how flexible are you with location ? (If not then the OU is really the way to go)

Phone conversations with an admin tutor - who may, or may not, have the wrong end of the stick - should not deter you if this is what you really want.

You have 3 weeks before registrations close for the OU Autumn courses. Go onto their website, select Health and Social Care - then accept the option to talk online with an adviser .

If you're in Scotland there's a graduate entry route to the degree which you can take (SW rules for England Scotland and Wales are different so there has to be different degree routes).

If this really is your dream it is achievable if you are willing to put in the time, effort and yes, sadly, money.

She can't refuse to consider your application if you submitted one

Most academic institiutions offer Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) and/or Accrediarion of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) I may not have the terms 100% correct but it's definitely APL and APEL.

You need to speak to more universities and perhaps more admissions tutors to discover more options of courses/places that might allow you to "top up" your third class degree with some APEL points.