DS got a third after struggling at uni, how limiting is it?

[Misthios]

DS started uni in 2021 and for the first year his studies were entirely online. DS has significant challenges with neurodiversity - properly diagnosed dyspraxia and ADD, almost certainly autism too. His mental health was very poor and I was very pleased he was living here at home as he simply would not have coped otherwise. He finally crashed and burned after his third year (4 year degrees in Scotland) and was placed in academic suspension for a year. We had the most awful year with him trying to get him formally assessed and medicated for his ADD, he started on anti depressants, found a tutor to help in the subject he struggled with, and finally got through and into his final year.

This year has also been a struggle, the support from uni is just not there, funding in Scottish unis is a massive issue and he was not having check ins with tutors or disability support or anything. It was all very hard for him but long story short he has had his degree results today and got a third.

He is very upset. We have told him how proud we are of him for sticking at it and going back to finish his degree and the class of thart degree doesn't matter. He does not want a high flying job. He just wants to work in a lab. I am just worried that with the very competitive jobs market that he is going to struggle to get anything and will end up thinking that uni was a waste of time.

And I thought the pre-school years were the hard ones.

Also he has a great example for any interview where they ask a capability style question about persevering through challenges and overcoming obstacles. My old employer (public sector) always asked them.

Brilliant result , well done.

I think irrespective of all of this it will now come down to how well he performs in a job interview. Since you mentioned he struggles socially I would be more concerned about this and how you can help him. Unfortunately out in the real world there won't be the same support during interviews for your son as there will be at school. It sounds like maybe this transition from senior to uni is where he experienced this and it was really hard for him.

We all know the job market is TOUGH for young people and getting a third will put him behind those who got a first, 2.1 and 2,2, Even jobs that don't require a degree will have a lot of people with degrees applying so unfortunately this will make things harder.

Getting a third is bearly a pass at 40% and unfortunately only 3-5% get this grade, so I would strongly consider how he positions this on his cv. I probably wouldn't list his grade.

NHS Scientist Training Programmes often look for a 2:1 or above so that doesn't sounds doable - highlight his scientific skills and work experience.

He's doing the right thing by applying for entry level - maybe just now focus on his interviewing and make sure his cv is amazing.

There are organisations out there who can provide job coaching for neurodivergent people, if he is amenable it might be worth a session or two on interview technique and CV refinement.

I’d add to that helpful advice on applications: the 50% of entry level applications who all claim to have had the exact same (fictional) experience and ai filler right through the applications all get binned. Most LLM output to an application form entry is similar enough that it’s obvious and we don’t want to interview anyone who hasn’t put their own words and experience into the form.

The job can’t (yet!) be fully replaced by ai so we need to know that the team can express their own thoughts.

I was involved in recruiting and interviewing in a few different areas, and the one thing that impressed me was perseverance. Someone who would stick at something and get it done, which your DC has done, to their great credit.

Unless they need a higher degree (imo a waste of time and money in 80% of cases), the third is not important. Stress the achievement against the odds as a positive and they will do well.

Some degree are harder than others (is that a tactful way to put it?) and pharma ones are at the harder end so he’s done really well.

Concentrate on the success. Apply. Get in the mix.

Interviewers invariably ask about situations where you’ve been challenged but have demonstrated persistence - your son now has an interview answer ready to go.

Best of luck to him.

Just put on his CV he has a degree in X from.Y University don't mention classification. He has done well to go back and pull through.

I think I remember your previous threads. Congrats to your son for seeing it through.

His biggest hurdle will be the state of the jobs market, not his degree class. It's just really tough this year. He's doing the right thing by applying for anything that looks hopeful.

Good luck!

Unfortunately that's not really a "thing" in Scotland, I will suggest it, but schools do not manage their own recruitment, it;s all done by the local authority. We have a few family friends who work in related fields so will be putting out feelers.

He needs to approach it this way in any interviews and hold his head high. Many people struggle. You can love the practical work but struggle with the academic and social demands of uni.

I think you are sensible in the approach of applying for things that require A levels/HNC/HND.

Get a start, any start in something lab based.

He can speak to the uni careers services and see if there's anything they'd recommend in terms of voluntary work etc

In the more than 20 years since I graduated, I have never once been asked what grade I got.

It’s bonkers. When I was at university, much less than 10% got firsts and about 30% got thirds. Now it’s the other way round.
I realise this is zero compensation.
On the other hand he has courageously overcome some big challenges.
For whatever he does I’d make the determination, resolve etc the main focus of applications.
In any organisation people who are proven to knuckle down and not give up when the shit hits the fan are the ones you really want.

If applying for a job just lie and say you got a 2.1. No one checks

This was going to be my suggestion too

I hear you, but there's no way he'd do that. Omit the class altogether and just write BSc (Hons) he would be comfortable with, but not outright lying.

I think the issue of degree or not having a degree is being somewhat misinterpreted. Had dc got a job at 18, he would not have a degree, but would have a job. That’s really all that was meant surely? He is in a worse position and that is probably a fact. However he is where he is and probably doesn’t have work experience to offer an employer either. Plus will need a lot of workplace interventions and took 5 years to do the degree. Employers will need to know he’s going to be ok because taking extended time off is really expensive for them. I’m sorry if that sounds harsh but there are so many grads wanting any job right now, they can be choosy.

So, definitely volunteer and get a good solid record of attendance and usefulness. It’s pointless saying what careers people got with a third back in the dark ages. 2026 is different. What about jobs where recruitment is hard? Where are there vacancies in your area? I’d try and find this out so he can move on.

Has he got a diagnosis now OP? Worth asking if the company gives interview questions in advance to neurodiverse candidates. Some will, some won't.

DH got a third and struggled to get a job. Then got agency work and never looked back. Definitely a good way in.

What his degree shows is that he was tenacious enough to carry on when things were difficult and as character goes, better than someone who has sailed through with few problems and takes success for granted.

Is that how you got your job?

I suggest no one takes this advice under any circumstances. It’s called ‘obtaining by deception’ and you can go to
prison for it. End of any professional career.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to reply and there is some very useful advice on this thread. We have had a chat and his plan of attack is:

Make an appointment with uni careers service
make an appoinment with Skills Development Scotland - careers service
Register with a couple of agencies offering temp work
Look into volunteering in the sector
Keep applying.

He is in a fortunate situation in that he has a roof over his head and is being fed.

University can be hard for some young people. He’s passed, that’s the main thing. He is young. He has time on his side.

His plan sounds good. There are adult apprentices he could do, or he could work in an entry level role somewhere in a related field and work his way up.

Being a hard worker will get him a long way. My sibling did a similar degree and got a third. They were disappointed but are doing well. Better than me who got a higher grade. They had their own business for a time. Their work ethic has got them to where they are. They’re in a happy relationship with a good career.

I think he will do fine, he just need to take it step by step and be kind to himself!

@Coco1379 Employers won’t think that. Let’s be honest, struggling isn’t what employers look for. Good results and cruising with work and a good mix of uni activities looks better. The plan the DS has is good but I’d widen out volunteering to anything! Something is always better than nothing.

Sounds like a good plan Op. Good luck to him.

Best of luck OP. Your son will get there.