The Student Room Group

How to "fix" having a 3rd class degree

So that's the question. My plans for the future are ruined now, and I don't know how to fix my situation.
Due to a series of extenuating circumstances which were no fault of my own and were severe, I ended up with a 3rd class degree in a STEM subject. I am appealing, but I cannot fix it due to regulations.
Please believe me when I say that I am not in this position because I am lazy or stupid or went out drinking. I am in this position because as a mature student who had to work alongside, I was very very unfortunate to be hit with some very big obstacles.
Now I am heartbroken about this and I need to know what can I do. I had plans to do a Masters but I think now they are out of the question. How Can I fix this?
Original post by Freida
So that's the question. My plans for the future are ruined now, and I don't know how to fix my situation.
Due to a series of extenuating circumstances which were no fault of my own and were severe, I ended up with a 3rd class degree in a STEM subject. I am appealing, but I cannot fix it due to regulations.
Please believe me when I say that I am not in this position because I am lazy or stupid or went out drinking. I am in this position because as a mature student who had to work alongside, I was very very unfortunate to be hit with some very big obstacles.
Now I am heartbroken about this and I need to know what can I do. I had plans to do a Masters but I think now they are out of the question. How Can I fix this?

What career aims do you have?
Reply 2
Original post by ageshallnot
What career aims do you have?

I wanted to work in research... which it feels impossible now but my second option was data analysis of some kind and maybe work my way up...
It all feels very hopeless rn.
Original post by Freida
I wanted to work in research... which it feels impossible now but my second option was data analysis of some kind and maybe work my way up...
It all feels very hopeless rn.

Without your "missing" modules, what grade were you averaging?
Reply 4
Original post by ageshallnot
Without your "missing" modules, what grade were you averaging?

Mid 2.2 at worst. Most likely high 2.2 there was room to achieve a 2.1.

My missing modules consisted of one averaging mid 50s and the other one close to a 1st.
(edited 2 months ago)
Original post by Freida
Mid 2.2 at worst. Most likely high 2.2 there was room to achieve a 2.1.
My missing modules consisted of one averaging mid 50s and the other one close to a 1st.

Would it be worth reaching out directly to a university that only requires a 2.2 for a master's and explaining your situation? Basically explaining that you would have had a high 2.2 but because of circumstances x, y and z you ended up with a third.
Reply 6
Original post by ageshallnot
Would it be worth reaching out directly to a university that only requires a 2.2 for a master's and explaining your situation? Basically explaining that you would have had a high 2.2 but because of circumstances x, y and z you ended up with a third.

I guess it might...? I know that if I explain what's happened they are very likely to understand... I am thinking I might sit some a levels this May that are related with the Masters I had in mind but I've never done before. I thought if I can do well I can demonstrate that my result is not a reflection of my academic ability but due to my circumstances.
I am also taking 1 year out to focus on my health and sort out the circumstances that put me on this position in the first place.
I have also sent a credit transfer enquiry to the OU to see if there is a chance to achieve a 2nd degree and improve this situation since I suspect this will really hurt my future otherwise.

I don't know if anybody has any more advice related to jobs or know anybody that turned a similar situation around? I could really use some good stories to be fair..
(edited 2 months ago)
Original post by Freida
I guess it might...? I know that if I explain what's happened they are very likely to understand... I am thinking I might sit some a levels this May that are related with the Masters I had in mind but I've never done before. I thought if I can do well I can demonstrate that my result is not a reflection of my academic ability but due to my circumstances.
I am also taking 1 year out to focus on my health and sort out the circumstances that put me on this position in the first place.
I have also sent a credit transfer enquiry to the OU to see if there is a chance to achieve a 2nd degree and improve this situation since I suspect this will really hurt my future otherwise.
I don't know if anybody has any more advice related to jobs or know anybody that turned a similar situation around? I could really use some good stories to be fair..

Are any of your tutors particularly sympathetic and supportive? If so, use them as a reference.

Is a few months sufficient to excel in new A-levels???
Original post by Freida
I guess it might...? I know that if I explain what's happened they are very likely to understand... I am thinking I might sit some a levels this May that are related with the Masters I had in mind but I've never done before. I thought if I can do well I can demonstrate that my result is not a reflection of my academic ability but due to my circumstances.
I am also taking 1 year out to focus on my health and sort out the circumstances that put me on this position in the first place.
I have also sent a credit transfer enquiry to the OU to see if there is a chance to achieve a 2nd degree and improve this situation since I suspect this will really hurt my future otherwise.

I don't know if anybody has any more advice related to jobs or know anybody that turned a similar situation around? I could really use some good stories to be fair..


I am not really certain doing some A-levels is going to ameliorate the degree result in this case. Also if you've been awarded the degree and graduated I don't think you can transfer credit to the OU. More to the point, in terms of research, I think even with a masters it's very unlikely you would be able to progress to a PhD, even without funding I think would be a challenge to get into one (and a funded one I think is pretty much not a possibility whatsoever here). I'm not sure further study is a sensible or even realistic option here.

Realistically I think you need to refocus on the industry route and look at entry level roles in your chosen field. Your degree will hopefully have given you some relevant technical skills in that field, and as you noted you're a mature student who has been working hopefully you will also have more work experience than the average graduate anyway. Between those factors hopefully you can try and secure and entry level position somewhere and work your way up - after a few years into your career your degree is much less important as a factor anyway. However it's probably unlikely you'll be able to get into graduate schemes and similar and would need to look at entry level things and leverage your skills and experience to progress up the career ladder faster that way :smile:

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