Is a 2.2 really that bad :(

bestpud

simplysound wrote: »

Gonna go against the tide here and say i agree (for me) the ammount of work i put in if i dont get a 2:1 or a 1st i will be mightly upset and would not want to go to the graduation. Thankfully i think i have a 2:1 in the bag...

[/i]

I feel the same tbh. Not that a 2:2 would stop me going to my graduation ceremony, but I would be very upset too and, dare I say, embarrassed about it.

In fact, if I could see myself heading for a 2:2 I'd be going all out to turn it around, including badgering tutors for feedback.

That's just my opinion of course!

That said, I don't think it is an automatic barrier to getting on afterwards.

I guess it depends on your wider experience, attitude, type of job, subject, institution...

Vik

Several of my mates from Uni who I studied maths with got a variety of different degree's. A lot of them are working locally. Two of them are working for Goldman Sachs in Birmingham doing stuff with pension funds I think (3rd and 2.2), another is training with HMRC (2.1) and one is training as an acctuary in Solihull (2.1). I think the key is to contact local companies, rather than the big giants. The two that got 1st's are both working in London for these big companies.
Keep at it - I am sure you will find someone who appreciates the skills you have soon! Don't sell yourself short, a 2.2 is a good degree!

Mr._Tibs

I'm in my second year of Uni, and being perfectly frank, will be p*ssed if I don't get a 1st - BUT...in my chosen field of work, the level of degree you get, and even where you did it can count for jack sh*t as its all about experience, and the work you can produce.

Equally important are owrk placements. One decent plaement canopen a bazillion doors.

JJimmySturo

Experience is worth much more than qualifications

I work for my self at the moment and I'm loving it

Nenen

moo2moo wrote: »

My C.V. reads BSc. Hons (SW) Microbiology. No mention of the 2.2. Most people usually start with "Microbiology thats an interesting choice" and completely forget to ask what grade or why I did it in 5 years not 3. The correct answer would be a foundation year for thick numpties as my A-level grades were useless followed by a sandwich (SW)year in industry.

Sorry to hijack the thread a little but I'd really appreciate some info on doing a foundation science year and how this goers down with employers too if you don't mind moo2moo....

My son decided after doing reasonably well (11 Bs and Cs) including 3 separate sciences plus double engineering at GCSE to move to 'ologies' and is currently studying psychology, sociology and law at A2 level. He got AS maths grade C last year too. He's been offered places to do law and criminology at 5 unis on his current predicted grades (ABC) but he has suddenly had a 'choice crisis' and now wants to do something more science based... either engineering or forensic science. Obviously his current A levels don't qualify him for this but we've just found out about several foundation science year courses (available through UCAS extra if he rejects his current offers) and he is tempted to apply for one of these instead. I'm happy for him to study whatever he wants but trying to advise him to be mindful of the future employment consequences. Is the science foundation really considered to be only for 'thick numpties'? Any info on doing this would be gratefully received! :beer:

BigBouncyBall

I'm not sure how the new system works but in the old days, i'd have gone to uni to do the law and criminology, then transfer at the end of the first year onto a forensic science course - going in through the back door, as it were. Now obviously the uni has to offer both courses for this to be an option.

The more modern option is to go through clearing. Clearing is not just for media studies courses at Anglia polytechnic, there are loads of people like your son who want to change tack at the last minute.

I would also encourage your son to go and talk to a biology/science teacher at the school who might be able to help him choose some good places to do forensic science. As for engineering, thats a HUGE field and almost anyone can enter some flavour of engineering, though a qualification in Maths/Physics is really important for some (most) fields.

Try starting a new thread in the Student Forum too, there are plenty of others who can offer better advice than me!

bandraoi

If he has decent A levels in his current subjects and goes on to do science/engineering, then it's pretty clear that he's not an immature student/thick numpty who needed to do the 1 year course to cope.

By the time he finishes his degree his pre-degree experience will count for SFA. By the time he's a year in his first job his degree will count for SFA.

baby_fuzz

Generally, what employers are looking for (besides the 2:1 mentioned at the beginning of this thread) is someone who is flexible, willing to learn, preferably with work experience. I did an engineering degree, and ended up doing something completely unrelated.

Having said that though, he should really consider how much he likes maths. On the course that I did, we were doing more advanced maths than my friend, who was on a mathematics course...

Finally, he has to have an interest in the subject. Engineering courses tend to be very tough, with masses of lectures and labs. And I swear that the final year was just an endurance test - we had a 50% drop out in that year!:eek: Perhaps the uni/department that I went to were particularly harsh, but I have heard some similar stories from friends who studied engineering elsewhere.

Despite not going into engineering, I thoroughly enjoyed the course, and I found it opened many doors, particularly in finance and analytical roles, when I finished uni. I would recommend it.:D

Nenen

baby_fuzz wrote: »

Having said that though, he should really consider how much he likes maths. On the course that I did, we were doing more advanced maths than my friend, who was on a mathematics course...

Finally, he has to have an interest in the subject. Engineering courses tend to be very tough, with masses of lectures and labs. And I swear that the final year was just an endurance test - we had a 50% drop out in that year!:eek: Perhaps the uni/department that I went to were particularly harsh, but I have heard some similar stories from friends who studied engineering elsewhere.

That is very useful info. Ds did do AS Maths and generally enjoys it. He also did all three sciences and double engineering at GCSE... he then had a brainstorm when applying to 6th form college and decided to drop all his previously enjoyed sciences etc and go for a complete change as had a sudden desire to be a lawyer! He has since bitterly regretted that (although I've been proud of his determination to see things through and is predicted reasonable (although not outstanding) grades in his current subjects. Would you mind telling me which uni you went to? My ds is looking at Loughborough (very low drop-out rate on average but of course this could mask individual subjects) and Surrey.
Thanks :beer:

baby_fuzz

I went to UMIST (University of Machester Institute of Science & Technology). The University has since been swallowed up into the Victoria University of Manchester.
From what I gather, Loughborough, as a university, has a very good reputation. I've not heard anything good or bad about Surrey, so I can't really comment. What may also sway your your opinion is the score of the department. My university was good as a whole, but the department scored very highly in comparison to the equivalent in other universities. Definitely visit the universities so he can get a gut-feel about the places.