How are third and pass degrees regarded these days?

studentphil

How are third and pass degrees regarded these days?
There is so much talk about the magic 2.1 now, what is the point of thirds and pass degrees these days?

cupid_s

studentphil wrote:

what is the point of thirds and pass degrees these days?

there's not really

talksalot81

They are there so that the government can quote how many degree level individuals we have....

aurora_borealis_2

... nope, a first is the golden ticket

studentphil

I hope I do not end up with a third then, but I should get at min a good 2.2.

Zziggi

Remember when you were doing your GCSEs you worked so hard to get all those A grades. A few years later nobody was bothered and just wanted to know how many you passed A-C. Then you worked so hard to get A grades in your A-levels. A few years later people just asked you how many A-levels grade A-E you got.

I suppose a degree is slightly different but even so.... I graduated for the first time 9 years ago and i haven't ever been asked if i got a Desmond or a Vordeman or any other classification.

P.S. what is slang for a 1st and a 2:1???:confused:

studentphil

I suppose they are like any grades they are a blunt as intelligence and skill comes in so many forms a grade can not capture

studentphil

A First is known as a Geoff Hurst/Damien Hirst (as 'First' rhymes with 'Hurst' or 'Hirst')
A 2:1 is known as an Attila the Hun (as '2:1' rhymes with 'the Hun')
A 2:2 is known as a 'Desmond', from Desmond Tutu (as '2:2' sound very like 'Tutu')[2][3]
A Third is known as a 'Douglas', from Douglas Hurd/Thora Hird (as 'Third' rhymes with 'Hurd' or 'Hird')
A Fail is known as a Michael Palin (as 'Failing' approximately rhymes with 'Palin')

anewman

Third's are also known as Vorderman's as Carol Vorderman got a third. She got a decent job. I have a first and have been unemployed for a year so I'm not convinced my qualification is of all that much value.

pavlovs_dog

sorry to get on my soapbox here (you may want to go make a cuppa, this could be long :rolleyes: )...

ive never understood the mentality of people who go to uni purely for the social life. granted, i am an old fart trapped in a young body, and my approach to academia the exception rather than the rule.

that said, if daddy can afford for you to spend three years cultivating sclorosis of the liver well then thats all well and peachy for you, but it really gets my goat then when these people have the audacity to look down their noses at the weirdos who (god forbid) have gone to uni to get a DEGREE :eek: ! what an "old fashioned" idea :mad:

its these people who invariably turn up to seminars and tutorials having never been to a lecture (or at least, attended in a concious state), do no reading, and make no contributions. the time 'wasted' on such people could be much better invested assisting the people who have gone to uni to better themselves in the face of great challenges, be that a physical disability, or learning disability. i read the thread about dyslexia with interest, recognising the situation all too well from what goes on amongst my peers. those who really need help get nowt, whilst the uni throws good money after bad helping those who have no intention of doing work, or scrape through on the bare minimum

im a great believer that education is for all, and everyone should have access to it. but i vehemnently disagree with blair and his 50% must go to uni plan, because it is killing the academic vibe that unis need to flourish. not everyone is suited to the uni environment.

if a desmond (2:2) is the best classification you can get because that is the best of your ability, then well done to you for going for it. but the people who get 2:2's because they never went to lectures, never did any work, and spent their uni careers doing the stereotypical things that has given us the reputation we have should never have gone to uni in the first place.

if you're going to go to uni nowadays, you have to make it count. with so many people out there with that scroll of paper, you need to stand out from the rest. if you're not going to invest your time and attention to your degree, you'd be better off working and gaining experience, so you can impress that way. from what i gather, the only thing worse than a 'poor' degree is a complete lack of experience. im certain as an employer, when looking at CVs i would generally favour limited experience over a poor degree classification, as to me (unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as those i have already touched upon) a poor degree class screams lack of motivation, which is not a quality i'd look for in an employee. granted, that may change in interview, but first impressions still count for a lot...

studentphil

anewman wrote:

Third's are also known as Vorderman's as Carol Vorderman got a third. She got a decent job. I have a first and have been unemployed for a year so I'm not convinced my qualification is of all that much value.

I am sure it is worth a lot but you just need a lucky break.

Look at many of histories greatest minds that were school drop outs, everyone needs a lucky break