The Student Room Group

82% In final year - possible?

Cut to the chase - Warwick student. Got my results back. Got 58.1% in my second year. I messed up badly on two modules, and I got 2.1's (61-64) across three modules. My second year counts for 50% of the overall mark. I applied for mitigating circumstances and I was told since I didn't fail anything that my MC will be considered in my final year when it comes to degree classification.

For 2 years, I have been dealing with mental health problems, which been exacerbated by relationship breakdowns. I faced lack of motivation, determination, goals, everything negative. I'm just looking for help. Now, I am going abroad for an intercalated year at Waseda University. This doesn't count toward my final degree but it's something that should be considered.

I have to achieve 82% in my final year to get a 70 overall. I don't care if it means sacrificing a lot of my social life, money for a better accomodation, etc. I'm just thinking about what to do moving forward.
why do you need a first class degree?
why do you need a first class degree?

Why? Well, I guess it's because I like doing research. My research-related coursework this year got between 68-76. In fact I got a lot of firsts in my coursework that is related to research during my stay at Warwick. I'd like to do a Masters in International Relations one day, preferably at a good university. So having a first would keep the door open for Unis like Oxford.
Is it possible? Yes, absolutely. Is it likely? No, probably not.

Granted we don't know how much your mitigating circumstances have held you back, but it's a big jump in grades and having seen transcripts from Warwick Econ students, (I work in postgrad admissions), I would say that 80%+ is pretty rare.

Which is not to say that if your circumstances are resolved, and that you are healthy and motivated, that you can't still gett an excellent result and put in a decent PG app if you want to go down that road.
Original post by MKUltraWorked
Why? Well, I guess it's because I like doing research. My research-related coursework this year got between 68-76. In fact I got a lot of firsts in my coursework that is related to research during my stay at Warwick. I'd like to do a Masters in International Relations one day, preferably at a good university. So having a first would keep the door open for Unis like Oxford.

You don't need a first to do a masters. Even the most competitive universities and courses will be looking at your transcript not your overall classification.

If you don't have any marks above 76 this year it would be putting unreasonable pressure on yourself to expect an average of 82 across your final year. Especially if you've been dealing with mental health issues throughout your degree that isn't likely to be a sensible thing to do.

Your degree shouldn't make you ill.

It's also worth noting that warwick will consider borderline cases for any result within 2% of a boundary so you only need to average 68% to be considered for a first even if you didn't have mitigating circs (which would still be 78% so incredibly difficult). With MCs you will likely only need to be within 5% of a first (or average a first in your final year) https://warwick.ac.uk/services/aro/dar/quality/categories/examinations/conventions/ug20
(edited 3 months ago)
Well it's good that I don't need a first but it would be nice to get it. I really do like my degree (PPE), and I would like to have the effort I put into learning the modules reflected through a first. It's just I've been dealing with personal issues which affected my work. Having a lower grade to aim for in my final year to get considered as a boundary case does lower the pressure to be fair. I have gotten 78% on quizzes, even 100% for some assignments, so I think it's possible to achieve close to 80%?

I guess my issue now is my intercalated year. I'm going to Japan, for a year, and studying more PolSci+Econ. I'm looking forward to it but I guess it would give me space to sort myself out?
Original post by Admit-One
Is it possible? Yes, absolutely. Is it likely? No, probably not.
Granted we don't know how much your mitigating circumstances have held you back, but it's a big jump in grades and having seen transcripts from Warwick Econ students, (I work in postgrad admissions), I would say that 80%+ is pretty rare.
Which is not to say that if your circumstances are resolved, and that you are healthy and motivated, that you can't still gett an excellent result and put in a decent PG app if you want to go down that road.

I do PPE - I'm not sure if you've seen many PPE transcripts from Warwick. And for the final year I have to do 60 CATS of modules from the Philosophy and Politics departments. I want to do a 30 CAT politics module and do a 30 CAT research project in economics. So the pressure of exams would be reduced as it would be all coursework except for one module.
Original post by MKUltraWorked
I do PPE - I'm not sure if you've seen many PPE transcripts from Warwick. And for the final year I have to do 60 CATS of modules from the Philosophy and Politics departments. I want to do a 30 CAT politics module and do a 30 CAT research project in economics. So the pressure of exams would be reduced as it would be all coursework except for one module.

Apologies, not sure where I got the Econ from.

Broadly speaking the same is going to apply, 80%+ is tough for any subject, especially if you've been quite a way under to date.

If coursework suits you better then that will definitely help. Hopefully you are engaging with your personal tutor for as much guidance as possible.
Original post by Admit-One
Apologies, not sure where I got the Econ from.
Broadly speaking the same is going to apply, 80%+ is tough for any subject, especially if you've been quite a way under to date.
If coursework suits you better then that will definitely help. Hopefully you are engaging with your personal tutor for as much guidance as possible.

Hmm well I asked to replace my personal tutor since he just sucks. I guess my issue is the next two years of my degree. I'm going to Japan for an intercalated year at Waseda. I'll be away from everything bad that happened during my first two years in a place where I'd enjoy.. so any tips regarding that?
Reply 9
I echo the above. It's possible but likely..? Probably not for most students. And then there is the question of pressure and health.

I graduated with a mid-80s average in philosophy and it was (is) super rare. My second year was a mixed bag but there were some high 70s therein, my third year was consistently 80+.

In the past three years I've seen about 7 students graduate with an 80+ in Econ, 3 of those this year. None of those dipped below 80 in any of their 3 years, which might give some indication.

I am.inclined to agree with PQ that this is too much pressure to.put on yourself for relatively little real-terms reward.

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