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Do employers can that much on whether you get a 2:1 or a first?

I heard that most employers just want you to have at least a 2:1 and don't really care if you get a first or not just as long as you have a 2:1 at least.

Is this true tsr?

Reply 1

unijock

Care*

I guess I better prepare for the grammar nazis of tsr.

Reply 2

username738914

Original post by unijock

I heard that most employers just want you to have at least a 2:1 and don't really care if you get a first or not just as long as you have a 2:1 at least.

Is this true tsr?

Most don't care tbh. Exceptions might be strategy consulting firms, top barristers chambers and top tier law firms - they're the only types of employers that come to mind who favour 1sts. Every other category of grad employer would only care if you hit the 2:1 mark (many even accept 2:2s now).

That all said, a 1st would absolutely come in handy for applying to PhD/Research Masters programs.

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(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 3

999tigger

You cnat really over generalise because as soon as you find one who does, then you will get someone who says it doesnt.

Imo it makes a difference, but by the time you make it into interview, there are other factors, such as how well you performed in interview, the assessment centre and the overall health of your CV. All things being equal you have the obvious advantage of first v a 2:1. They also look at your overall grade performance. The more experience you get then the less important it will be.

Reply 4

UWS

Desmond, 2:1, first... It doesn't matter. The less qualified in terms of education, you probably have as much chance as someone with all the qualifications in the world

I think about it like this.. Employers want someone who fits their company culture or the role itself. They look at someone who has experience and someone who isn't so serious and can actually socialise with colleagues.

I pretty much learned the hard way. Getting firsts in all 4 years of uni (over 80%) and it was incredibly hard for me to get a placement. I still haven't even got a graduate job yet.

A lot of people I know are currently on Desmonds and 2:1s and they have their graduate jobs already. A tough pill to swallow but it's all about the experience. Grades just make your CV look prettier, not stronger.

Reply 5

Juichiro

The thing that matters is whether you hit the 2.1 threshold. If you do, you are fine for most employers.

Reply 6

Clearing and Applications Advisor

There is a marked difference in employability outcomes (at least immediately after graduation) between people with a 2i and those with a 1st. Much more so than is evident between those with a 2ii and a 2i.

HOWEVER this doesn't mean employers prefer applicants with firsts - it is more likely that students capable of getting a first also have the sorts of skills and attributes that are attractive to employers.

Reply 7

Smack

Volunteer Team

Original post by unijock

I heard that most employers just want you to have at least a 2:1 and don't really care if you get a first or not just as long as you have a 2:1 at least.

Is this true tsr?

You can't generalise, I'm afraid.

Some employers use automatic filtering systems to remove candidates with anything below a 2:1. These are more than likely the larger employers who are dealing with much larger volumes of applicants.

For some employers, the higher the grade the better. And others don't care in the slightest.

Given this, I think it's always prudent to aim for the highest grade possible.