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Original poster

Those of you with a degree. Does it matter what grade you have? 1st, 2:1, 2:2 or a 3rd?

79 replies

WallOfSilence · 12/02/2008 17:30

I am just wondering as when I started 3 years ago, a mature student with a very young family I knew I wouldn't get a 1st as I hadn't all time & energy it required of me. However I have enjoyed doing my degree & have today got some results in.

I finish in May & I have another set of exams & a dissertation to have done by then.

My average today is 52.. a 2:2. I would give anything for a 2:1 even.. but that's 8 more marks I need & I'm not sure how to do this in the next semester without throwing my life under a train & locking myself in the attic like a hermit.

Anyway, those of you who have graduated, did it matter what grade you got? Were you just happy to have gained a degree or were you disappointed if you didn't get a 1st class?

I am gutted tbh... I know I have worked hard and I also know I can put my all into this next term.. but will it be enough?

Do any of you know anyone who pulled it back in the last semester?

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Jazzicatz · 12/02/2008 17:32

Depends on what you want the degree for I think

MrsMattie · 12/02/2008 17:36

My tutor at uni used to say 'A 3rd is a complete waste of the paper it's written on and a 1st is for complete geeks' (yes, he really did say that!). I got 83% for my degree and got a 2:1 (needed 85% for a 1st) and for a little while it annoyed me that people who got 70% had the same degree class as me...then I got a job and a life and I didn't give a shit anymore!

Colinfirth · 12/02/2008 17:37

It would matter if you wnated to be eg an academic or a barrister or go on to various kinds of postgrad.

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Original poster
WallOfSilence · 12/02/2008 17:37

Ah right, so do some employers ask for a certain level?

I didn't know that

OP posts:
MrsMattie · 12/02/2008 17:38

I think to do a Masters or get into certain types of Post Grad training programmes you need a 2:1 or above.

Original poster
WallOfSilence · 12/02/2008 17:39

I am on track for a 2:2 at the minute I don't want a 2:2 they can shove it up their arses.

I will work my lily white ass off & get a 2:1. I know the 1st is out of the question, especially if they average all the grades out.

OP posts:
CalifrauQuoteoftheWeek · 12/02/2008 17:41

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Tortington · 12/02/2008 17:42

most average mediocre degree students get a desmond ( 2:2) i have one.

unless you are planning on being something super special - for your ordinary average everyday shit - this is perfectly adequate. and does lift the glass ceiling with regards to income and should glide you into management without even a raise of an eyebrow.

littleboo · 12/02/2008 17:44

I got a 2.2, missed the 2.1 by 1 mark.
Upset me at the time, but didn't make anydifference to my life.
Don't worry about it.
as long as you pass.

Mercy · 12/02/2008 17:46

I think you need a 2.1 if you want to do post-graduate courses.

WOS - my dh did his degree with the OU whilst working full-time adn we had 2 children during that time too. It is hard work.

CalifrauQuoteoftheWeek · 12/02/2008 17:46

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Kathyis6incheshigh · 12/02/2008 17:46

WallofSilence, you are exactly the sort of student who DOES improve during the course.
In my department we teach a lot of mature students who have been out of education for a while and we find it is very common for them to start off with relatively low marks and then do better as they carry on.

We also find the mature students do slightly better on dissertations, probably because they are more self-motivated and better at independent learning.

So, yes, definitely go for it!

Original poster
WallOfSilence · 12/02/2008 17:47

Average is fine, I have no aspirations beyond my means.

I don't even want to go to the stupid ceremony but dh is insisting. I would rather they sent my mediocre parchment through the Royal Mail.

Do they call out "WallOfSilence.. 2:2 as she spent all her time on MN & not enough on Lexisnexis!"

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pistachio · 12/02/2008 17:50

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Gameboy · 12/02/2008 17:51

I had a life at Uni and got a Desmond

DH worked hard, feels he 'missed out' and got a 2:1.

The only time it was ever questioned was related to a job interview with McKinsey...

avenanap · 12/02/2008 17:51

I only got a 3rd, I was 1 B- away from a 2:2. I worked through my degree and am a single mother. I also had to go through losing my job, being evicted from my house, having to do an employment tribunal, having a 3 year old that was assaulted by a staff member at nursery, having an ex boyfriend abandon his child, having a gifted child to care for, had pneumonia, tonsilitis, had tonsils taken out and had to have biopsy... Was not one of the easiest courses I have ever done! I sweet talked my way onto a masters course though, I would love to do a phD and research but I don't know whether I could sweet talk my way onto one. I can but try.

Tortington · 12/02/2008 17:53

yo must remember that te level of mediocrity is set against thousands of students who have fuck all else to do but study.

you however are a partner and a parent.

i am v. proud of my degree - it as a kind of "fuck you" for all those people who thought i woldnt amount to much.#

as it happens i haen't amounted tomuch but i am viciously proud of my degree - i did it with 3 kids under 5 and holding down a p/t job.

i wan't being sick in a bucket and being fucked up the arse whilst high and drunk ( generalisation)

i hope you see what i mean - and hope that you are v. proud of you degree.

get the picture - its fab for your kids to look at and aspire to

Original poster
WallOfSilence · 12/02/2008 17:54

Oh I Xpost with a lot of you.

Kathy, thankyou for your view as a lecturer. I will keep that in mind as I struggle & plough my way through my dissertation.. actually I may call on MN a lot through that time as it's based on women & media

At the minute I have a load of articles to have in by next week & a first draft of my methodology for dissertation.

OP posts:
Tortington · 12/02/2008 17:56

yes you get your hons with a desmond

Kathyis6incheshigh · 12/02/2008 17:56

You're Hons even if you get a third - below that you can get a 'pass' degree, which isn't hons.

You get the same letters after your name no matter if it's a first or a third.

avenanap · 12/02/2008 17:57

You'd still get the BA hons. I think they strip the hons off for the cmpletely lasy bas*ards. Sorry, it has comething to do with the amount of credits you get.

Cam · 12/02/2008 17:59

I got a 2:1 while being a single parent with a school aged child. And I went out a lot

But I did attend all my seminars and tutorials as I had to get up early to get my child to school

I got a place to do an MA and later postgrad law on the back of it

pointydog · 12/02/2008 18:00

It matters to me.

No one else gives two hoots. Unless you want to go on to do a PhD

Cam · 12/02/2008 18:00

I got the hons part for my dissertation

Kathyis6incheshigh · 12/02/2008 18:01

"yo must remember that te level of mediocrity is set against thousands of students who have fuck all else to do but study.

you however are a partner and a parent."

Agree with Custy about this.
Also, there are plenty of sensible employers/academics if you want to do further study, who will see it the same way and if they get an application from someone who did that will think 'Great - obviously this person is very self-motivated and well-organised and just the sort of person we want.'

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