[Sung VI]

I got a 2.2 degree. Is there any point to do Masters to override it ?

[BoringComputerGuy]

A Masters is a step up in difficulty from undergraduate study, there is no guarantee that you will do well enough to 'override' your 2.2. I don't think this is a very good reason to spend time and money doing a Masters personally, but it's up to you.

[EGjeff]

Depends entirely on area of study and what you want to end up doing. I know a lot of people doing pretty pointless masters degrees just because they couldn't find work.

[fail@maths]

(Original post by EGjeff)
Depends entirely on area of study and what you want to end up doing. I know a lot of people doing pretty pointless masters degrees just because they couldn't find work.

Like everybody in the IB&C part of the forum you mean! :P

[(Bored)]

Having a masters degree does not necessarily 'override' your 2.2; you still won't be eligible to apply for graduate schemes that stipulate 2.1 as a requirement (if that is what you are aiming for).

[Stressworthy]

A Masters won't automatically override a degree classification. And that certainly shouldn't be the way to go about doing a Masters... you have to be passionate about what it is you are studying, particularly when you'll be spending so much money on it. If you got a 2:2 in the discipline at undergraduate level, I'd hazard a guess that you weren't passionate about it, and no Masters can override that. At this point, I'd say it's best to focus on getting as much experience as possible in the field that you are interested in: I'm sure this can still be done with a 2:2, even if it is that bit more difficult.

[nonswimmer]

Doing a higher qualification to 'override' your (presumably disappointing) undergrad result is a terrible reason to spend all that money and time on an MA.

Do it because you love or are very talented at the subject. Otherwise, get to work - start building a career that will override your degree.

Remember, generally speaking, your degree classification is only relevant to your first job! After that, you stand on your career.

[JamalAhmed]

My cousin got depressed studying civil engineering at SOAS and ended up with a 2:2 (he studied so hard and I saw his face last week - it was filled with dissapointment). Is it wrong to think 2:2 is very good, or when I go uni, I should aim higher? Or is TSR's standards higher than reality's?

[EGjeff]

(Original post by JamalAhmed)
My cousin got depressed studying civil engineering at SOAS and ended up with a 2:2 (he studied so hard and I saw his face last week - it was filled with dissapointment). Is it wrong to think 2:2 is very good, or when I go uni, I should aim higher? Or is TSR's standards higher than reality's?

It's still an achievement no doubt, especially with a subject such as engineering, but in the grand scheme of things - and in the eyes of employers - it is below 'average'. Aim higher, never got why people only aim for 2.1s either, you should aim for a First

[emi_sarb]

You'd be better off overriding your result with work experience, there are a lot of employers who would take someone with a 2.2 and relevant experience over someone with a 2.1 and no experience. It is more difficult to get your first job with a 2.2 but not impossible. I got a 2.2 and I'm in a job relevant to what I want to do. It isn't a brilliant job but I'm getting some valuable experience and I'm getting paid just above minimum wage which is still better than unpaid slave labour internships which seemed like my only other option.

[gutenberg]

(Original post by JamalAhmed)
My cousin got depressed studying civil engineering at SOAS and ended up with a 2:2 (he studied so hard and I saw his face last week - it was filled with dissapointment). Is it wrong to think 2:2 is very good, or when I go uni, I should aim higher? Or is TSR's standards higher than reality's?

Can you study civil engineering at SOAS??

With something like two-thirds of students achieving a 2.1 or better these days, really you should be aiming for a 2.1 at least, a 2.2 is (nowadays) seen by most as a disappointing result, and as others have said, may exclude you from some graduate employment schemes. However it is by no means impossible to get a job with a 2.2, thought you might have to be prepared to start near the bottom and work your way up, so work hard and do as well as you can

[DynamicSyngery]

Further study doesn't override a 2.2 for graduate schemes. It might for PhD study. To be any use you have to actually out-perform your undergrad, though, so think carefully if the things that caused you to get a 2.2 are still present..

[Sabertooth]

I got a 2:2 at undergrad due to mental health problems seriously getting in the way, I know I could have done much better. I'm now writing my dissertation for my masters, which tbh I did mostly to try and come out with a better result. While the mental health problems are still there, I think I have got better at managing them as so far all my coursework has been graded 2:1. I'm hoping for a 2:1 overall once I submit my dissertation, which I think will show on my CV that I can do better.

I think whether to do a masters or not depends on your reasoning for the 2:2. If you tried your hardest at undergrad and got that, perhaps the subject isn't right for you, or maybe you're just not that way inclined, the problem might recur. But if you have another reason which isn't going to affect the masters, I'd say go for it.

[JamalAhmed]

(Original post by gutenberg)
Can you study civil engineering at SOAS??

With something like two-thirds of students achieving a 2.1 or better these days, really you should be aiming for a 2.1 at least, a 2.2 is (nowadays) seen by most as a disappointing result, and as others have said, may exclude you from some graduate employment schemes. However it is by no means impossible to get a job with a 2.2, thought you might have to be prepared to start near the bottom and work your way up, so work hard and do as well as you can

I remember asking him what he was doing at uni a few years ago, so the answer I remember is a bit vague. I think his doing pure maths or engineering. More likely it's maths that he is doing, but my point still stands. And he didn't get amazing GCSEs and A-levels either so he may have aimed for 2:2.

His GCSEs had a few As Bs and Cs. His A2 was ABC or BBC which in my opinion are average?

Man I don't wanna go uni. If I don't get into a top 10 uni, I'll regret so much.

And one more question for everyone here. Is a 2:2 from UCL better than a 2:1 from Queen Mary.

[Bubbles*de*Milo]

(Original post by JamalAhmed)
My cousin got depressed studying civil engineering at SOAS and ended up with a 2:2 (he studied so hard and I saw his face last week - it was filled with dissapointment). Is it wrong to think 2:2 is very good, or when I go uni, I should aim higher? Or is TSR's standards higher than reality's?

No, he isn't.

(Original post by gutenberg)
Can you study civil engineering at SOAS??

No, you can't.

(Original post by JamalAhmed)

And one more question for everyone here. Is a 2:2 from UCL better than a 2:1 from Queen Mary.

Are you really that stupid?

[paladimathoz]

Why the **** is this tool posting about undergraduate ****e when he hasn't even passed or started it yet.

To the op.... take the masters on if you want to spceialise in something or if the course has professional status / accreditation. Having this on your cv will give you a better chance. 2.2 / you understand a fair chunk of what's been taught plus your MSc which will demonstrate a further understanding in a relevant field. If your swapping fields altogether you better get a good pass / merit etc


This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my HTC Hero

[Eclectic Girl]

I know someone who got a 2.2 but needed at least a 2.1 for the graduate job they wanted, so they did a Masters to override the undergrad result and ended up with the job a year later. I don't know if that happens often, but it is possible. The course was Maths and if I remember correctly the MSc was at York Uni.

[Fynch101]

I think that is the worst possible reason to pursue postgraduate study.

[Dumb Economist]

Do it right the first time. Give your utmost best to achieve the highest grades possible and leave no room for regret. Doing Masters degree will rarely help. I think.

[DarkWhite]

I'll be honest, it's only red book graduate jobs who will automatically filter out applicants based on getting above/below a 2:1. Even then there are some exceptions e.g. The Co-Op.

Apply for jobs to SMEs, local businesses, or think about starting your own.

Doing a Masters to try to cover an undergraduate classification doesn't work too well. It's a lot more work over a longer period of time, and it's unlikely to improve career prospects significantly. Plus, it's going to cost a lot of money.

That said, if you are passionate about the subject you want to do your MA in, and genuinely think you will do well and enjoy the course, then go for it!