Uni grades?

[RoyMi6]

As is the problem with ANYTHING to do with ANYTHING is that it's all down to people.

My old company was a small 4 man outfit. It was one of two companies my boss owned. The larger company (100 plus employees) was turning over millions which gave him the flexibility to experiment with the company I was part of.

This also gave him plenty of options when it came to hiring and he actively avoided interviewing candidates with 1st class degrees in computer science (as he never found them to be a good fit on a personal level) and 3rd class degrees (due to their work shy nature)

All I can say is I pretty much stand by this decision he made after being involved in around 20 interviewees we had in when one of our team had to move back to Australia on short notice forcing his hand to cast his net wider.

It was like every stereo type in the book lined up perfectly with the degree results. 1st class people could easily answer all the technical questions, but trying to strike up conversation with them was like getting blood from a stone. Compete opposite with 2:2 candidates as while they could talk your ear off it was like they were actively avoid starting the technical test - one even walked out 5 minutes after it started.


One this is for sure though, the 1st class people got passed on to the other company to see if space could be made for them there. In a small company having people skills to deal with clients on a day to day basis while still being able to deliver technical solutions is essential. If you're not suited for that environment though he could easily put you to work for a company that would really benefit from their technical excellence.

The 2:2's however never got a call back - reinforcing, to him, how much of a waste of time it was even considering them.

 

[Hxc]

There isn't a 1:1. It is simply a 1st.

Everyone aims for a 1st, yet only a tiny % actually attain it!!

I didn't really aim for a first. I accepted early on I could either live a fantastic life while at uni and get a 2:1, or get a first. I worked multiple jobs, and was very well off at uni and had a fantastic 3 years, I don't regret at all not studying super hard to push for a 1st.

Get the 2:1. If it's in a half decent subject from a half decent uni, and you are a half decent person, you will get a grad job if you want one with a 2:1

 

[D.P.]

I think the honours system is what gives rise to 1st, 2:1, 2:2 and 3rd. A non honours (or ordinary) degree is just a pass or fail I think.

This

 

[Elixir]

I didn't really aim for a first. I accepted early on I could either live a fantastic life while at uni and get a 2:1, or get a first. I worked multiple jobs, and was very well off at uni and had a fantastic 3 years, I don't regret at all not studying super hard to push for a 1st.

Get the 2:1. If it's in a half decent subject from a half decent uni, and you are a half decent person, you will get a grad job if you want one with a 2:1

Or just have a fantastic few years and get a first.

 

[Spook187]

I wouldn't worry to much, they all get handed out like confetti these days

 

[D.P.]

i have a first and tbh it makes no difference in fact its been pretty useless to me , money well spent!

made a difference to me, well in general being in the part performers. I was invited to several networking event only open for those students averaging a first. I got 1 years internship in California that was only open to the top performers. Upon graduation I got a couple of invitations to apply for jobs from investment banks and the likes , the inventions were only sent to those getting above 65-75%.


Some companies do care and various departments within them will try to hire the best of the best.

that said I don't think a 2:1 from a top university closes that many doors if any. Sending invites only to first class graduates is just an easy and quick way to filter results. If someone turns up with 67% say then they wont be turned away, they just might not find out about it

 

[Salsa]

My 1st class degree got me into the assessment centre for a graduate role.

My emotional intelligence, people skills and extra curricular experience got me a place on the graduate programme.

My people skills, work ethic and technical ability (in that order) have secured me a management/leadership role once I leave the programme in 2 months time.

A degree is a tick box exercise these days, simply bringing a particular grade is not enough you have to stand out from the crowd in other ways.

/Salsa

 

[dowie]

this.

but also

ordinary degree = 3 years +1 year for honours.

So if you wanted to finish uni asap you could just walk out with an ordinary degree aft 3 yrs..but most graduate jobs want you to have an honours degree (2:2 or 2:1 minimum)

Nope

You can get an honours degree in 3 years... if you do 4 years you'll usually be doing an undergrad masters (with 120 credits in the 4th year as opposed to the 180 credits in a post grad masters)

honour degree is usually 360 credits across 3 years, tis classified as 1st, 2:1, 2:2 or 3rd

If you get low marks or fail modules then you can still graduate - a non honour degre which is just a 'pass' can be obtained with 300 credits afaik... obvs different degrees have different requirements but generally at most unis an honours degree is 360 credits in 3 years

 

[Deus Ex]

Doesn't a Desmond Tutu shut a lot of doors before you can get your foot in?

 

[Kenai]

BSc(Hons) First Class

Frick that was tough!

Seeing as everyone else glossed over this and carried on with last year's discussion, thought I'd highlight it and say congrats, big step up from thinking you would probably get a 2.2 last January

 

[Elixir]

Seeing as everyone else glossed over this and carried on with last year's discussion, thought I'd highlight it and say congrats, big step up from thinking you would probably get a 2.2 last January

Didn't even notice the bump, good work OP!

 

[D.P.]

As is the problem with ANYTHING to do with ANYTHING is that it's all down to people.

My old company was a small 4 man outfit. It was one of two companies my boss owned. The larger company (100 plus employees) was turning over millions which gave him the flexibility to experiment with the company I was part of.

This also gave him plenty of options when it came to hiring and he actively avoided interviewing candidates with 1st class degrees in computer science (as he never found them to be a good fit on a personal level) and 3rd class degrees (due to their work shy nature)

All I can say is I pretty much stand by this decision he made after being involved in around 20 interviewees we had in when one of our team had to move back to Australia on short notice forcing his hand to cast his net wider.

It was like every stereo type in the book lined up perfectly with the degree results. 1st class people could easily answer all the technical questions, but trying to strike up conversation with them was like getting blood from a stone. Compete opposite with 2:2 candidates as while they could talk your ear off it was like they were actively avoid starting the technical test - one even walked out 5 minutes after it started.


One this is for sure though, the 1st class people got passed on to the other company to see if space could be made for them there. In a small company having people skills to deal with clients on a day to day basis while still being able to deliver technical solutions is essential. If you're not suited for that environment though he could easily put you to work for a company that would really benefit from their technical excellence.

The 2:2's however never got a call back - reinforcing, to him, how much of a waste of time it was even considering them.

I think your sample of first class graduates was not at all representative. IMO the first class graduates were by far the most social and outgoing, the most type-A personalities, many more extroverts etc.

Sure there are a few shy geek types but not nearly as many as the proportion who got 2:2s and 2:1s.


Most of my friends got first class honours and we were always in the bars, student union, clubs to 5am, traveling around he UK or world partying it up. We all did a load of different sports, often sports captains (anything form skiing, martial arts, football, skydiving etc.).

 

[Haircut]

Doesn't a Desmond Tutu shut a lot of doors before you can get your foot in?

It may do for graduate level positions, but once you've gone beyond that level no-one really cares in my experience.
I got a Desmond in my degree and got a grad position by the back door.

Since then I've worked at several big investment banks whose graduate schemes I wouldn't have got onto with my degree classification, but applying as an experienced candidate they didn't give a monkeys.

 

[D.P.]

Nope

You can get an honours degree in 3 years... if you do 4 years you'll usually be doing an undergrad masters (with 120 credits in the 4th year as opposed to the 180 credits in a post grad masters)

honour degree is usually 360 credits across 3 years, tis classified as 1st, 2:1, 2:2 or 3rd

If you get low marks or fail modules then you can still graduate - a non honour degre which is just a 'pass' can be obtained with 300 credits afaik... obvs different degrees have different requirements but generally at most unis an honours degree is 360 credits in 3 years

There is a big difference between Scotland and rUK in this regard

In Scotland if you don't get good enough grades in the second year 9typcially there is a 60% threshold) you are only allowed to study for an Ordinary degree which is 3 years and graded as pass fail. If you are on the Honours program and fail your 3rd you have the option of repeating the year or if your marks were good enough graduate with an Ordinary degree. Similarly in your 4th year but you aren't allowed to resit your 4 year so if you fail despite passing your 3rd year you may get an Ordinary degree if good enough.

 

[AndyT]

We generally don't consider applicants with a 2:2. There are thousands of people with better grades out there looking for the same jobs. Nobody in full time employment who needs to recruit has the time to "just give 'em a punt" when it comes to people with less than a 2:1. It's the number one chaff-skimmer. 2:2 - in the bin.

 

[TrojanWhore]

BSc(Hons) First Class

Frick that was tough!

congrats man, amazing!

I would say I'm jealous, but I have no one to blame but myself

 

[AndyT]

Most of my friends got first class honours and we were always in the bars, student union, clubs to 5am, traveling around he UK or world partying it up. We all did a load of different sports, often sports captains (anything form skiing, martial arts, football, skydiving etc.).

Same here. In our house of 10 men at a red brick uni, nobody got lower than a 2:1, 5 of us got 1sts. Subjects ranged from engineering, pharma, biomed, law, maths, economics, history, politics and accounting+financial mgt. Four of us went on to complete masters degrees.

Went out every week at least a few nights a week, got smashed, did sports and activities, no odd-balls or typical nerds. The idea that getting a first means you are socially inept is just plain wrong. Nearly all of our grads have firsts and all can work in a team. Go for the 2:2 at your peril. The competition is fierce out there for grads.

 

[D.P.]

We generally don't consider applicants with a 2:2. There are thousands of people with better grades out there looking for the same jobs. Nobody in full time employment who needs to recruit has the time to "just give 'em a punt" when it comes to people with less than a 2:1. It's the number one chaff-skimmer. 2.2 - in the bin.

The people proudly justifying their 2.2 and how they are so much more capable than anyone else in their team simply don't understand this little fact - if they did then they might have been smart enough to get a 2:1!


Why plow through dozens of 2.2 grads looking for a diamond in the rough when you can go through dozens of 2.1s and above with a much higher strike rate.

The smart hard working 2.2 grads who messed up for external reasons will find a back door route into their desired industry or secure a masters to mitigate CV impact.

 

[Efour]

Grats on your First class Honors degree in....... ?

Be honest now......

When i was at uni anything under a 2:1 was considered a total waste of 3 years.. Im glad i got the 2:1 for what its worth.

 

[D.P.]

Same here. In our house of 10 men at a red brick uni, nobody got lower than a 2:1, 5 of us got 1sts. Subjects ranged from engineering, pharma, biomed, law, maths, economics, history, politics and accounting+financial mgt. Four of us went on to complete masters degrees.

Went out every week at least a few nights a week, got smashed, did sports and activities, no odd-balls or typical nerds. The idea that getting a first means you are socially inept is just plain wrong. Nearly all of our grads have firsts and all can work in a team. Go for the 2:2 at your peril. The competition is fierce out there for grads.

The nerds and geeks simply don't fit into the group of people capable of getting a First.

I think the exception is probably ex-poly garden shed universities where geeks and nerds do get a First. At a Russell group, no, they get 2.2s or low 2.1s and have a miserable time at university.