Uni masters studies - AIBU, dont have the 2.1 required but want to apply.

[MrsOprah]

AIBU, am i just wasting my time, I want to apply for a masters but they're asking for a minimum 2.1, I have 2.2

Any uni lecturers or admissions staff, or students who could enlighten me?

@Stronggail haha same!

MSc admissions officer here. I work at a top London uni, and our minimum is a 2:2 for the particular MScs that I work on. We value work experience though, and can make special cases at our own discretion. Three years work experience is usually what we would be looking for in that case. Is the MA different from what you studied at undergraduate level? If so, we could consider the possibility that your undergraduate degree subject wasn't for you, and that you might do better at Master's level with the right subject. In essence - enquire further. Either with the administrator for that Masters, and if that doesn't work going straight to the head of that department.

I think you should just apply tbh.
essentially it's a degree market, and they will want your money.

@Seniorcitizen1
I know what you mean. If anything, my ALevels were harder than parts of my degree, i.e. I agree, in part, that these things are subjective. I don't think I'll struggle woefully, i hope not! As my attitude to studying and circumstances are markedly different to when I was 17-21 :)

@PrimalLass @FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast
I kinda hope so! 🙈🙈

I got a 2:2 because I enjoyed shagging and drinking too much. I'm doing my masters now and it's a breeze.

Yup, me too sorry, not sorry

@Booboostwo @user1499173618
My extenuating circumstances are (vaguely on file at old uni or have other evidence beyond being anecdotal) that I was in a domestic abuse relationship throughout uni. I had a daughter aged 20 so during my uni studies. Thing is, I dont want to drag this all up, or put in it my personal statement and dwell on it. As with many women who face DV, I do feel embarrassed and it's deeply personal. So whilst it explains my 2.2, whilst I'm actually a fairly capable student, I couldn't face people/tutors knowing. Similarly, I don't want to label my child as an excuse. However, in the same breath, I was pregnant throughout my second year and return to uni when my daughter was a few weeks old. Uni wasn't a great period because of everything. but it was also a decade ago! It's dragging it up, when I've moved on.

I got onto a Masters course that said minimum 2:1- I had a 2:2 but also 8 years directly relevant work experience, and was applying for a course where the interview really counted. I got a Merit in the Masters and was on course for a Distinction, only by dissertation writing up time I genuinely did not give enough of a shit to throw everything at it. I knew as long as I wrote a dissertation that got a pass mark I was guaranteed a Merit.
The course was challenging and took a lot out of me but not because of the academic demands- I got very high marks in essays when I had time to put the full effort in, it was the full time work placement + compiling of associated evidence + essays and dissertation + being a parent to two small children that was hard.

drinking and boys 🙈 lol
I love that uni was about fun times and happiness xx

I’ll be honest: you should be REALLY proud of yourself for getting your degree in those circumstances. But why don’t you ask someone else, who has a bit more emotional distance from the painful memories, to draft your story for you in objective terms?

I know someone who did a masters with a 2.2. Their bachelors was oxbridge though.

THANK YOU FOR THE ADVICE AND HAND HOLD!
I'm hoping this is my shot at a second go at uni x Appreciated the replies

@user1499173618
Thank you. I'm not sure who that person would be. My project/disseration tutor knew I had a newborn. Was laterly informed of DV (Cc'd into email) when I deffered my final exam due to circumstances. Actually you might be spot on. perhaps, if it's needed or it would help they can explain it under their reference. Theyve said theyll write one to support my application.

I just guess in some ways I'd like to succeed or progress under my own merit. Not off the back of my story of woes.
Part of this is about progressing. 🙈 oh dear, perhaps I have an issue accepting help/leg up 🙈

I think you need to get over thinking that you don’t deserve a bit of special consideration

There isn’t an online version you can do? They seem less picky about admissions.

And I say that as someone who is currently doing an MSc in an STEM subject.

I’d just like to take exception to cleofatra’s comment - as an academic who makes decisions on applications, it’s definitely NOT all about the money. We don’t offer places to fill bums on seats, they have to be strong applications - but that doesn’t always mean meeting the published entry requirements, as others have stated.
Contact the course leader for a chat.
Best of luck

In your very unique circumstances I would contact the course leader direct and ask to meet for a chat. If anything the fact that you managed to get a Desmond whilst having a new born emphasises you abilities rather than detracts from them! You wouldn’t even have to mention the DV if you didn’t want to.

Masters are different from undergrads - I did mine at age 27 and totally nailed it in a way I would have been able to at 21/22. You will have so much going in your favour.

@DragonsAndCakes
are you doing online/distance learning?

Yep. Let me know if you have any questions

If they've reopened applications they may well need you as much as you need them. Too few students and the course will not run, which means less income for the department. Definitely get in touch. Good luck!

AlwaysColdHands yes, I do apologise. I shouldn't judge all courses on my own University's standards. We were always just trying to fill seats with our postgrad courses, particularly with International students. We always had some shockingly underqualified students but I realise it doesn't happen everywhere. As programme Leader, I also had a bizarre struct turnover of admission requests for a few hours.

As programme Leader, I also had a bizarre struct turnover of admission requests for a few hours

sorry, strict turnover time of a few hours.

Also an admissions officer for masters. We wouldn’t take a 2:2, although I’m in the Humanities (where work experience isn’t relevant). It’s got much easier to get a 2:1 over the last 20 years—definitely evidence of grade inflation across a number of universities that I’ve worked in.

Speak to the course director. If you applied for one of our masters through normal channels, you would be unlikely to be considered. However, the course director has discretion to consider individual cases but would not do so unless you brought it to their attention.

We like mature students . They add a lot to a class so I would at least expect you to be considered if you speak to them. It's not pushy. It's enthusiastic (well, usually anyway - I did have one potential applicant who was bordering on harassment!)