Minimum 2:1 required

[Viperzs]

Morning everyone!

I'm looking at a load of graduate schemes (mainly marketing) to apply to and a lot of them state a minimum of a 2:1. Now, I got a 2:2...

firstly, if I applied for some of these jobs, e.g Nissan Marketing Scheme. Would they turn me down instantly or would they still consider me, especially if I attached a cover letter as well? My CV does not state the level of degree I have, however it does still state 'BA Hons Business with Marketing'

Secondly, what's so special about a 2:1?! A lot of these descriptions state that they don't care what subject the degree is in... Surely for a marketing graduate scheme a 2:2 in Business with Marketing from Northumbria is better than a 1st in Drama from somewhere scabby like London Met?

All help appreciated!

[Viperzs]

Even though the difference between a 2:2 and a 2:1 could be as little as 1%?

Also, for the record, I'm not a big drinker

[Viperzs]

davepoth said:

The difference between a pass and fail is only 1%. If they didn't differentiate, how would they know who the thickos are? (I got a 2:2)

I see where you are coming from however surely personal interviews are a much better judge than a number?

You might find someone can get a 1st during uni by doing all assigned tasks etc however they might be completely dull, socially inactive and not at all creative.

[Viperzs]

Thanks for all these replies!

To those who have speculated as to the reasoning for my 2:2. I understand if they were aimed as hypothetical thoughts of a potential employer however if it was actually aimed at me then I will justy clarify that I did not spend my time at uni drinking and generally dicking about. I was well on my way for a 2:1 with a load of assignments coming back with 65+ % including one at 90%. I was badly guided through my dissertation and got screwed over on another assignment Sh*t happens though!

One thing I have considered doing is to send in a cover letter and a copy of my CV to companies that I am interested in and state that I am aware of their minimum requirements, but ask if they have any other availabilities that I could be eligible for, even if it were to be some sort of unpaid experience. How is that likely to be received?

With regards to taking on another qualification, I completely understand the benefits of doing that however I really do not feel like going back through all that.

[Viperzs]

NobleGuy said:

Amazing. How does someone get screwed over on an assignment?

It wasn't marked by the tutor who took me for the whole module. Instead it was marked by someone who marked me down for a load of things saying "I told my students not to do that"


Lefty, thanks. I would never come across like that in an interview though Interviews are for positive talking

[Viperzs]

zaphod42 said:

OP, did you consider appealing to the dept academic board, and then the main academic board?

I made sure that tutor was aware of my feelings at the time however I didn't follow up any action on it. It would be too late to do anything about it now though wouldn't it? This was done in 2010.

[Viperzs]

Thanks.

It definitely isn't because I wasn't bothered. Far from it. I don't remember exactly but it's possible I didn't follow it up because it wouldn't have put me onto a 2:1 anyway.

[Viperzs]

Noble guy.

Incorrect. Not going into depth about reasons of why I do not have a certain degree.

ewenm said:

Regardless of why the OP got his 2:2, that's where he is.

Options:

• Get further academic qualifications; and/or
• Get professional qualifications; and/or
• Get experience in a "lesser" job before applying to target jobs as an experienced hire.

All of them need the OP to invest time/cash in his own future. "Can't be bothered" won't cut it.

Thank you

Time, money and effort are no issue for me at all. The most likely action I will take would be one of the latter two. I would rather not go back through education, although I have not completely written off the idea.

[Viperzs]

NobleGuy said:

It's just you keep trying to come up with reasons then completely contradicting them.
I don't really care

Good luck with it all.

fk it, I'll humour you because you must care having taken the time to reply

With regards to your multi quote of my comments. That assignment wasn't followed up due to it not being able to take me to a 2:1. I was, however, also let down in other areas, mainly the dissertation. I resat this to improve my grade however the final mark was capped at 40, getting rid of any chance of a 2:1. Dissertation failure was partly due to the university under-preparing people on my course. I'm not the only one who was let down on the dissertation. Happy?

Part time masters is a good idea. I will have a look around and see what I can find. Thanks

[Viperzs]

Lefty said:

Absolutely. If asked about your degree you could always tell them about your high grades prior to your finals and just tell the truth that your dissertation let you down - defnitely don't try to pin blame on anyone else!

Good luck

Thanks. Yeah I would tell the truth on that. I can then also make it positive by saying that I went back to resit it!

ChrisMCoupe said:

It's slightly ironic that I'm now working for the same banks that would have filtered me out of their grad schemes at a much higher level than any grads of a similar age to myself.

I've seen that said a few times actually. Very interesting to see people often progress better outside a graduate scheme!

NobleGuy said:

I'm never happy

What if I did a little dance?

[Viperzs]

NobleGuy said:

I've got that sorted tonight already
How did we get onto smut anyway...

Smut should be expected anywhere!

Also, sexual favours would be provided in return for a job

[Viperzs]

vescaegg said:

Why would you re-sit voluntarily to 'improve your grade' if you knew it would be capped at 40%? - as far as I know all universities cap re-sits at 40% and you can only do them if you fail something....

Because resitting the dissertation gave me my 2:2. Fialing the dissertation took me down to a 3rd because that's how much weight it carried :/

[Viperzs]

eyebeebe said:

I assume that is supposed to be ironic?

I assume you're referring to the Northumbria/London Met comment?

I checked the league tables before I commented so I wasn't just making assumptions.

vescaegg said:

So you failed first time which would have meant a re-sit presumably, and all re-sits are capped at 40%, so how did the re-sit improve your grade? Surely you would'nt have gotten a 3rd if you failed your dissertation and didnt re-sit, do you not have to pass each module individually?

Not trying to be smart actually curious.

Well that's what I had thought at the time so was surprised when I could still graduate with a 3rd class Honours.

Had I not failed the dissertation and got a good mark on it (50+ I thnk) then I think I would have had a 2:1 (I don't remember fully, it was over a year ago now). Failing it took me down to a 3rd and my capped resit brought me back to a 2:2.

I hope that makes sense to you

[Viperzs]

Piglet said:

How on earth do you fail a dissertation , I can see how you'd get a low grade, but a fail? It was presumably a marketing topic, so you select a topic, have it approved then get on and write the dissertation. There are shed loads of books around on writing dissertations, did you not read any of them?

To echo what other's have said, you need to retune your mind and stop the bullstting about why you got a 2:2 - you come across as making excuses and blaming everyone else - I'd boot you out on interview on that alone. I want people prepared to take responsibility for their own actions and that I can trust and that's not how you are projecting yourself.

Firstly, I'm not bullstting. I didn't come on here to explain to everyone the reasons for my degree classification. If you have a look I never started out by saying the ins and outs of why I didn't get my 2:1. I merely answered questions. Also if you were to read it all you would also notice that I have said there is no way I would come across like that in an interview. Interviews are for positive talking to sell yourself not to flag up negative points.

Secondly, I got a low grade. The low grade was too low, so I therefore failed. As in, I did not pass. The pass mark was 40. I did not get 40. Understand?

I would explain the reasons but you will just say I'm bullstting and making excuses so I won't waste my time.

Also the dissertation was on Consumer Behaviour in the UK New Car Market.

bigandclever said:

Well, if I were doing the sift and I saw your application I wouldn't think "Wow! I know we asked for a 2:1 minimum but here's someone thinking outside of the box. Maybe our box is wrong! We need this no-doubt sexy maverick to come in and show us the error of our ways. All hail our new guru!!"..... I'd be more likely to think "Oh look, another pillock who can't follow a simple instruction. Circular file. Next"

Thanks, that's partly what I was expecting to happen if I were to do something like that

[Viperzs]

Piglet said:

The trouble is if you genuinely believe you've been hard done by and your 2:2 wasn't your fault that will come across at interview. You can't just "sell" yourself and be in any way sincere, interviewers have seen it all before many times over.

As others have said, if you apply for big schemes you'll just get filtered out if you don't meet the requirements. You need to look at small companies and makd personal contacts to try to get that first way in.

What work experience have you gained since you finished your degree last year?

I have been at a designer bathroom manufacturer and distributor. Started off in their marketing department as work experience but I'm working in the Sales Office now, dealing with National companies daily. I mainly deal with The Grafton Group branches

[Viperzs]

I so glad you added your input.

Thanks.

[Viperzs]

Just thought I would update this by saying I have been offered a job.

I win

[Viperzs]

wiffmaster said:

Nice. Did the job app. specify 2:1 or higher? Because if it did, you must have some amazing ECs and work experience!

Haha nah the job didn't request a specific degree classification so it was all good. It turned out that the MD at where I am now knew the MD at the place I have been offered the job so I assume there was a huge bribe paid out to get rid of me

Jimslips said:

Congrats. What job have you been offered?

Thank you!

I have been offered Assistant Product/Brand Manager at a firm fairly local to me so it should be great!

Start in 2 weeks. I wonder how long it is until they realised they made a mistake. hahaha