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?

@cleo it is most definitely not about bums on seats. I only take people on my course who I think are suitable.

OP given your updates I would definitely advise talking to the course director. Entry requirements are guidelines but is completely down to the course leaders discretion.

I got a 2.2....first in my family to go to uni and had no flipping clue what I was doing!! I got accepted onto a masters where I thrived . I now run that course and have a PhD. Don't let your well deserved and well earned 2.2 hold you back . Good luck

@theymademejoin @Blaablaablaa
do you meam, explain extenuating circumstances or express enthusiasm for course. I'll draft an email

Is the masters at the same uni you did your undergraduate degree?

An email outlining your enthusiasm, relevant experience and briefly outlining your extenuating circumstances would be a good first step. Hopefully that will at least get you into conversation.

@MrsOprah - you don't need to explain the circumstances. I would suggest making an appointment to meet the academic course director. That is much more effective than an email. I'm not sure of the UK set up but we have an administrator who is the co-ordinator and a lecturer who is the academic director. The co-ordinator is more likely to stick to the requirements but in our case, she doesn't make the decisions.

I would explain that there were personal circumstances that resulted in you underperforming at under grad, that these circumstances no longer exist and that you are confident you can perform well and be an asset to the course. They are unlikely to ask for details of the circumstances.

Be enthusiastic about the course. Do some research beforehand to show you know what's involved and are prepared for it. If possible, get an academic reference from a previous lecturer who will indicate they believe you are capable of performing well on the course.

Just to clarify - I wouldn't say anything in the email beyond asking to make an appointment to discuss the course with them. Save the rest for the face-to-face.

Admissions tutor here- nyanbu. Go for it- experience is just as important. If you don't try you definitely won't get in! Also remember men often apply above their cv without thinking twice (and get in)

When I was doing my UG, I went to a PG open day where I wanted to do my MA. While I was there I sat down with the Director of my MA, explained that I had been diagnosed with depression that year and was struggling with coursework - I might not end up getting a 2.1 but I was passionate about the MA subject (and I was getting 78, 85 etc in related UG coursework, it was the other bits I found hard). He wrote all this down, said it would all be taken into account and that I should definitely apply. In the end I did get a 2.1, but I definitely felt reassured by what he had said.

Talk to the director of the course and explain your circumstances, apply, you'll never know if you don't try!

@Blaablaablaa
Totally diff uni, i moved cities long ago.
but uni is well regarded (but its not russel group or oxbridge)

THANK YOU ALL, will work on application, with view to getting it submitted during this month

I'd be surprised if you didn't get a place from what you've said. I'm halfway through a Russell group university MSc which required a 2:1, having got a 2:2 in my UG degree. It's being paid for by my employer who also stipulated a 2:1 when they were advertising the job. However I had lots of relevant work experience which the university took into account.

And contrary to the comments by a previous poster who felt that anyone with less than a 1st would struggle, I'm doing really well - in the top 10% of my cohort, which includes several people who already have master's degrees from other universities.

As others have said, it’s worth applying or at least inquiring with an admissions officer and seeing what happens. It very much depends on the uni and what quotas they have in place. I’m a lecturer in a clinical school at a mid range ish uni. I know this past year the admissions quotas we got from above were more than the numbers of applications we got for one degree because the uni really wanted the money. It’s crap and doesn’t improve the quality of the course (but does help the bottom line). Often people doing the admissions aren’t the ones who set the rules so no harm in trying, but get advice on how to bolster your application.