UK Degree Question

I've been looking at Grad programs in the UK and a lot of them say you need 2:1.

After a quick google it's saying career prospects for 2:1 vs 2:2 is huge. Is that true?

Here we use a GPA (Grade Point Average) with:

HD	High Distinction: 80-100%
D	Distinction: 70-79%
C	Credit: 60-69%
P	Pass: 50-59%
N	Fail: below 50%

Would a 2:1 be an average Distinction? (i also have no idea how to work out my current average either lol).

Obviously I'd have to get someone to translate mine if I apply for any programs, but anyone got any ideas or an explanation as to how 2:1 and 2:2 work? Wikipedia kinda got a bit confusing lol.

Not sure if this is accurate for all degrees but it's something like
40-49 3rd
50-59 2:2
60-69 2:1
70+ 1st

Purely depends on what degree you have (subject) and what you're going for. Often, a 2:2 won't be a barrier to a career say but it'll make it harder and you'll - for example with teaching - miss out on a grant. But then grants themselves depend on the subject you did with Maths and Science being more in demand regardless of a 2:1 or a 2:2 overall grade.

Anecdotal but I have two friends, both a 2:1 in Geography and other in History. Both on good salaries. The jobs they applied for had nothing to do with their subjects, and they weren't asked about the grade. Unless it's a specialist job, it isn't a major thing. Also I have a friend who got a 2:2 in Mechanical Engineering and he too is on a good wage on his way to becoming an accountant so it hasn't impacted him at all.

Often if it's specialist you are after and it requires a 2:1 then people will do a Masters to circumvent that the Graduate mark.

It's interesting to see that there isn't much of a difference then. I mean I don't plan to be going into something that requires a specialist degree and that you must do do well, so it's good to know it shouldn't really impact me that much.

Also, what about the difference between doing your Bachelors degree vs doing Honors. My degree is three years and then I could do honors if I wanted to. In the UK do many people do their honors? The undergrad degrees there are usually three years aren't they?

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Originally Posted by Matt

It's interesting to see that there isn't much of a difference then. I mean I don't plan to be going into something that requires a specialist degree and that you must do do well, so it's good to know it shouldn't really impact me that much.

Also, what about the difference between doing your Bachelors degree vs doing Honors. My degree is three years and then I could do honors if I wanted to. In the UK do many people do their honors? The undergrad degrees there are usually three years aren't they?

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Yeah, undergrad are most of the time 3 years (unless you do a year in industry or abroad or something!).

I think most places here you do an honours degree by default? I'm pretty sure my degree is BA (Bachelor of Arts) English & Creative Writing with Honours? And if you don't get a 1st, 2:1 or 2:2 you don't pass with honours, you just "pass"?

It's really confusing to translate haha

There might be some more information on the 'chartered institute of [whatever your future job is]' website about equal degrees from other countries?


Generally though, looking at my friends who got between firsts and 2:2s (one pass actually), noone's really STRUGGLED to get a job as long as they had some other skills. The only ones who have struggled are the one with the pass and the ones that ONLY did their degree and aren't particularly rounded people (or will only settle for an AMAZING job doing EXACTLY what they want)

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Originally Posted by dbgtz

Not sure if this is accurate for all degrees but it's something like
40-49 3rd
50-59 2:2
60-69 2:1
70+ 1st

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I'd use this as a guideline. I did Computer Science at university and came out with a high-end 65%. I got a 2:1.

Personally they have never asked me the grade I got, employers have only been interested on whether or not you have a degree. I have only applied to four employers before, three of which I had interviews for. None of which asked about the grade.

I think it's more of a personal thing. I would have been gutted if I had got a 2:2 but it can all depend on your subject sector area I guess