Complete another degree or do a masters?

Myself and a group of friends were having this discussion, the basic backbone of it being, is it better to re-do a degree if you got a 2.2 or do a masters??

This being because most of the graduate schemes you need a minimum of a 2.1 and masters do not get a mention, so I am opening up the debate, so see what others think!! :biggrin:

Reply 1

Seoid

I know that in a lot of psychology training programmes (for clinical etc -doctorate level programmes) they require a 2:1 in your degree OR a very good masters - however, I think even with a good masters you might be at a disadvantage and it may take more experience or more other supporting evidence in your application to get you a place. Redoing a degree is a big investment - I think in the long run it's better to do a masters and put everything into that as at least it's a progression education-wise and it will help in the long run.

Reply 2

Johnni

8

This notion of uni's only going for graduates with a 2:1 or better is rubbish IMO. Yes the top 10-ish uni's will require a 2:1 but depending on prior experience etc you can still apply with a 2:2.
Of the 6 uni's i applied for 2 yrs ago for a masters i got accepted by all of them even thou i had a 3rd. Be it they were'nt the top uni's but most were are in the top 20 but because i had good work experience i was quite successful.

Reply 3

Ruhr_Phantom

OP

1

Johnni

This notion of uni's only going for graduates with a 2:1 or better is rubbish IMO. Yes the top 10-ish uni's will require a 2:1 but depending on prior experience etc you can still apply with a 2:2.
Of the 6 uni's i applied for 2 yrs ago for a masters i got accepted by all of them even thou i had a 3rd. Be it they were'nt the top uni's but most were are in the top 20 but because i had good work experience i was quite successful.

I was going more for the notion of graduate jobs being focused on those with 2.1's and if you neglect to have that be it having a 2.2 or a third, would it be better to re-do your degree or get a masters and which would give you a better chance at graduate schemes.

Reply 4

Johnni

8

I think if you have a masters employers will be more interested in the masters than the undergrad as usually the masters subject will be more relevant to the job your after.
I hope that anyway cos i got a 3rd lol

Reply 5

ma2k5

14

Most graduate schemes also take importance on if its a 1st degree or not - so taking a 2nd degree, or masters, to fix a 2:2 is kind of a waste.

I think if you have a masters employers will be more interested in the masters than the undergrad as usually the masters subject will be more relevant to the job your after.

This is misleading, most grad jobs don't need a masters - so unless its the few which do (usually industry), it won't help your application by anything measurable - in that it won't make the difference of being accepted/rejected. 2:2 is what will count still. Also, any masters worthwhile usually requires 2:1 to begin with.

The choices are then - Get into jobs/schemes which accept 2:2, or work your way up the ladder.