I have two masters degrees, should I omit the bad one when applying for a PhD?

Hi there,

I want to apply for Computer Science/AI PhD, here are my qualifications. I intend to apply to some top places. The universities are all lower league bar the one I got the bad grades (Swansea uni).

MSc Intelligent Systems (predicted distinction, lowest grade so far is 82%). Grades: 82%, 83%, 88%, 99%, 78%, 80%, thesis=91% (2 modules remaining). I also have one conference publication presented last year, in press (Springer).

MSc Computer Science Conversion (merit 60%, grades 43%*, 50%**, 52*, 58%, 62%, 69%, 71%, 77%, these = 60%). *=tolerated fail, **=capped resit grade

BA International Relations (1st class).

What do you think?

It will likely be an application process not a CV so you will be asked to give all previous academic qualifications.

You will need to be able to prove ability which is bound to include the MSc Computing grade, because it's a conversion degree. otherwise how do you explain going form undergrad to MSc Intelligent Systems.

Hi there,

I want to apply for Computer Science/AI PhD, here are my qualifications. I intend to apply to some top places. The universities are all lower league bar the one I got the bad grades (Swansea uni).

MSc Intelligent Systems (predicted distinction, lowest grade so far is 82%). Grades: 82%, 83%, 88%, 99%, 78%, 80%, thesis=91% (2 modules remaining). I also have one conference publication presented last year, in press (Springer).

MSc Computer Science Conversion (merit 60%, grades 43%*, 50%**, 52*, 58%, 62%, 69%, 71%, 77%, these = 60%). *=tolerated fail, **=capped resit grade

BA International Relations (1st class).

What do you think?

This doesn't even look bad, tbh. You went from an unrelated field to getting 60% in the conversion course, and now a distinction in your current Masters.
Like that shows development.

Hi there,

I want to apply for Computer Science/AI PhD, here are my qualifications. I intend to apply to some top places. The universities are all lower league bar the one I got the bad grades (Swansea uni).

MSc Intelligent Systems (predicted distinction, lowest grade so far is 82%). Grades: 82%, 83%, 88%, 99%, 78%, 80%, thesis=91% (2 modules remaining). I also have one conference publication presented last year, in press (Springer).

MSc Computer Science Conversion (merit 60%, grades 43%*, 50%**, 52%, 58%, 62%, 69%, 71%, 77%, thesis = 60%). *=tolerated fail, **=capped resit grade

BA International Relations (1st class).

What do you think?

Hi @BillMurray

I agree with the others that you will have to disclose everything, but I don’t think that is a bad thing.
I am a current PhD student, and I can honestly say that so many of the best PhDs I have worked with didn’t have a ‘typical’ academic path to their PhDs. I have also seen amazing and talented students get poor grades in their MScs for many different reasons. And this is only after a few years in academia, so I would imagine that lecturers/professors will have seen this a thousand times over.

It may be a good idea to think about the reasons/lessons learned from the ‘bad grade period’ you had. Did you learn to work effectively, finding a style that suits your mind? Maybe you had personal circumstances that affected your performance, like health (including mental health) or family issues. These affect everyone, but it is about learning to cope and balance that are valuable skills that actually may make you a better candidate.
I did my undergrad in genetics, and I know a lot of people on my course struggled with our bioinformatics module (coding) so I will use that as an example. You can be honest if it comes up in the interview, saying that when you first came across that subject you found it difficult, and because you had changed area you fell behind and your grades suffered. But maybe you did some introductory courses (free online!) on python, and from there gained an appreciation for the computational biology that had illuded you during the study. Again, this shows an ability to address the areas you are weaker in (and EVERYONE does have weaknesses) and the fact that you took those steps (e.g. an online course) to improve shows that you are willing to tackle the difficult areas to make yourself well rounded.

Hopefully this helps change your perspective a bit, and may help in the interview to address these grades if it does come up.
Best of luck with your application!
Ciara
3rd year Agrifood PhD student
Cranfield Student Ambassador

Thanks for taking the time to write all of that out. Out of curiosity, are you enjoying Cranfield? May I ask what qualifications you had before applying and what classifications you achieved? I definitely have it on my radar. One thing I noticed about their fully funded PhD positions is their scholarships seem to be way above the average amount, there are advertised positions on their website currently worth up to £27,000 per year.