Course asks for a 2.1 or higher, i have a 2.2 Honours Degree is that good enough?

[Joy5]

I might come across as being very stupid here in not knowing the answer to this question, but i'm thinking of re-training as a librarian (briefly my marriage ended, i'm working par-time as a library assistant so hopefully i can get a better paid job).

I studied for an Open University degree while giving birth to my 3 sons and graduated with an Honours Degee, my degree is a 2.2.

The course asks for a 2.1 above, will my Honours Degree count as higher then this, or will i still be classed as a 2.2.

Hope this can be understood, not sure how to explain it more clearly, but not sure who else i can ask!

[Littlef00t]

Anna, could you sit any modules to bring the overall up?

[Mrsmorton]

Good work op.

[voilets]

anna, you should also find out by talking to teacher training. schools are crying out for teachers -pay them to train on job. Call some training agencies.

[AnnaJ81]

I am also a mum of 3 (under 7s) and a student with the OU. I am studying History and was planning to teach but found out that the best I can do even with a distinction in this module, the best I can do is a 2:2 and you need 2:1 to even qualify for training. I can't afford to pay for any more modules. I can't help but feel like the last 5 years have been a total waste of time.

[LRDMaguliYaPomochTebeSRaboti]

Just saw this, congratulations!

Not surprising at all IMO, to get a 2.2 while having three children is impressive.

Best of luck with the job.

[creamteas]

That's great news, congratulations :)

[ModeratelyObvious]

Well done!

[Joy5]

Just wanted to say, i had my interview and was offered a place!!

Term starts the week after next, the Professor who interviewed me did emphasise that it was my working experience that helped me to get an interview as well as my 2.2.

Apparently lots of people apply for librarian MAs, who have the qualifications but don't have the experience.

So at almost fifty, i'm going to be a student again, but i'll do it and do it well, so in two years time i can attempt to get my first motgage in my own name once i've securred a job as a librarian! That means my ex can't threaten ever again to stop paying the mortgage, or any of the other things hes threatened over our home.

Thanks to everyone who suggested i contact the university and ask if i'd be considered with a lower degree then asked for. It seems really obvious now, why didn't it occur to me to ask, rather then wonder about it for so long, but it really didn't, just so grateful for all the advice, and obviously everyone who said ring and ask was absolutely right :)

[78bunion]

In my day 15% of teenagers when to university and of those 15% only about a third (of which I was one got an upper second class or first) and the rest got 2/2, third or ordinary/pass degree. So it was fairly common for employers to accept people with a lower second class honours degree. These days about 2/3rd on many honours degree courses receive a 21/1 or higher and plenty of students know they just will not easily get jobs with 2/2s so getting that good 2/1 is absolutely cruicial to employment prospects.

The trouble is it is not a fair comparison. Comparing an old 2/2 with a new 2/2 is not very fair on the older graduate.

[titchy]

Read the thread mrsdloreick she's got an interview!

[MrsFlorrick]

Do you have any professional qualifications or other post graduate on the job training (formal training)?

If so then that will help given your degree is a 2.2. Most masters courses insist on a 2.1 or a 1st unless you have professional qualifications.

I would speak to the admissions department and perhaps the Course Director for the masters you are interested in. If you don't have any additional formal training or qualifications to offer up then its unlikely your 2.2 will get you into a masters course.

[Joy5]

Thats a good tip Peter, just been looking again at what the course covers.

Will have to carry on working (only part time currently) and study at the same time. Not been successful with any bursaries, so looks like i'll have to fund myself too, luckily when my marriage ended i had some money in the bank i've not spent, made sure i lived on my low salary and tax credits, so i've got the first year course costs already. That gives me a year at least to save for the 2nd year, which is paid in two instalments so 18 months for the last of it.

Seeing it as an investment, if i invest now, then i'll reap the benefits in the future, can see how happy my librarian colleagues are in their jobs, so know i'll be happy to, long as i can the interview!

[ItsaTIARA]

Oh well done OP - I remember this thread from a while ago, and didn't post because I'd only have been echoing everyone else with "worth a try, they can only say no".

Good luck, and think about what your USPs are - what knowledge and skills you have that are applicable to the course and your longterm career. What was your degree in?

[PeterParkerSays]

Make sure you know what aspects of librarianship their course covers. you wouldn't be the first person to turn up for an MA interview, say you're interested in children's librarianship, and then find that it's not a module they offer.

Are you planning to study part time whilst continuing to work? There may still be some bursaries around for 1st library qualifications but you'd generally have to be 2:1 or above for your undergraduate degree.

And it's a fab job, so go for it!

[Joy5]

Not in work until Wednesday but was starting to think about a chat with the librarians at work too.

Job situation in all libraries is pretty dire at the moment, especially public ones, but think its a risk i've got to take if i'm lucky enough to get a place on the course. Separated from my ex nearly 2 years ago, so living off my small salary and tax credits, just want to be able to earn more money so i can give my sons the standard of living they used to have again.

[Lilymaid]

I would discuss things with some of the librarians in your university library so that you are knowledgeable about current issues in higher education libraries.
What is the job situation like now for university librarians? Are there plenty of trainee opportunities? If not, you may also wish to consider working in other sectors or being prepared to use your skills to work in information areas not normally described as libraries.

[Joy5]

Well i rang the University and they said i was ok to apply even though i didn't mean the requirements, did the best personal statement i could and then pressed 'send'.

Didn't hear anything until today so thought i was unsuccessful, and i've heard today i've got an interview later this week!!!

So now i'm panicking about the interview. Can anyone give me any tips on an interview for a MA please.

[meditrina]

It's worth a try.

Yes, on paper you don't meet the requirement, and you might get bounced just for that especially if there is a strong field of other candidates who do meet the spec. But why bet your future on what these other candidates are like? If you have a strong personal statement, and as you are a mature student (for whom they're likely to be a bit more ready to extend flexibility) and if you can manage to have some personal contact explaining who you are any why you're worth it, then a 'near miss' on paper is a position worth trying from.

[MariscallRoad]

Try! Try to explain in a statement your circumstances. Good luck.

[peteneras]

?Prince Charles got a 2/2. Sue Lawley got a Third.?

As did the very clever mathematician Carol Vorderman who also got a Third. But why worry when even a Third can help you earn tons of money later on?

It just goes to prove whatever Class your degree is doesn?t really matter. It?s a question of how you present yourself to the outside world with whatever you have (or don?t have) that counts and which may escalate you to dizzying heights in due course.

Go for it!

[VivaLeBeaver]

Also emphasise it was an open uni degree. I've heard that these are well thought of as it shows motivation, etc.....not sure if this is true but worth trying.

[dotnet]

They might take your age into account if you're in your forties for instance. A 2/2 was what most people got (I did, too) if they did a university course years ago. Prince Charles got a 2/2. Sue Lawley got a Third.
The requirement for a 2/1 is probably based on the expectations of someone who is young, so it's a bit of a nonsense really.
And another thing... in my day, almost no-one got a First. Apparently now, it's about 14 or 15%. That's one student in seven. Allocation of high grades is more open handed now.

[ReallyTired]

Don't give up hope. If you have experience of working in a library then the university may overlook your 2.2. Especially as you are a mature student and doing an OU degree with three small children is really hard.

I suggest you contact the university and ask.

[LRDYaDumayuIThink]

I don't think you can usually get funding for a Master's these days anyway, not easily.

[teabagpleb]

It may depend on their funding - I was all set to do a PhD with Research Council funds, but it required a 2:1. Got a 2:2 after illness, and despite the institute wanting me, the RC wouldn't pay for me - I had to do a MSc first (where they liked a 2:1 but would negotiate).

Firsts, Seconds (2:1 or 2:2), and Thirds are all classes of honours degree in England - usually you only get an ordinary degree if you don't pass well enough to get a Third.