thirs class degree

[Dave21]

does anybody have or know of any graduates who graduated with a 3rd class degree? I'm doing a science degree and planning for 'worst case' scenario as I may get one? Anybody have any ideas of the options forward as the job market will just laugh at a 3rd... ?

Thanks :(

[Lillabet]

A friend of mine got a third in law. It was a real shame as basically she'd been doing well - 2:1 level but for some reason completely failed a module in her final semester and so got a third.

Admittedly it didn't make it easy for her to get a job straight away. She signed up with an agency and got temping work in the legal department of thee local council. She was hired as a pretty low level admin person at first, and on a wage comparable to someone without a degree, but was given more responsibilities over a year or so.

She was then able to get a job as a legal secretary and is now PA to the managing partner of a well regarded firm of solicitors. She actually has the opportunity to take a course (ILEX) which over time will allow her to qualify as a solicitor.

Basically yes, a third will be a handicap but can be overcome. Good luck

[silly moo]

depends on where you got your third from. Oxbridge thirds are not so much of a handicap.
Also if you got a sports third or a drama third or whatever.
Good luck

[m81]

left uni with a pass in maths degree due to a traumatic final yr, now a very happy qualified teacher. good luck with your exams!!

[jake-the-peg]

Friend of mine got a third and spent another year doing an MSc - people tend to look at your last and highest qualification

[undercovers]

MSc would be a very good idea - friend of mine with a third in a science related degree did an MSc and is not doing a phd - i think he just likes being a student tho

[Shipstabber]

Surely in a 'worst case scenario' you don't get a degree at all?  What you have there is a 'not as good as I'd wanted but could be worse case scenario'.

BTW I'm sure you can get on the management fast track at Aldi with a 'douglas'.

[keen2learn]

I have a First, but it might as well have been a third - no-one has ever asked. If you pass at any level, great. Don't worry too much.

[Dave21]

Many thanks for all the replies. Its the U of Manc that I go2, but thats beside the point. Perhaps a masters is the way the way forward, only time will tell.

Thanks again for taking time to reply, Dave

[m81]

ooh my mates there & they work you like a dog but its a great uni to go to & great place to get your degree, dont worry!

[Scarlett]

I got a First and it hasn't made a jot of difference. My friend got a 3rd and he is now very high up in TV in Dubai. A degree is a degree unless you are going for something that needs a high grade- such as an MA. Most MAs require 1st or 2:1. Having said that my sister got a 2:2 and did her MA with the Open University and now is doing her PHD. So- do your best and don't worry!

[morg_monster]

My friend got a 3rd in civil eng and wrote round a lot of construction firms asking what they recommended he do to get a job - eg doing a master's, getting a menial job and working up etc.... 2 of the firms wrote back offering him an interview and he eventually started working for Mowlem with a salary of 24000 and a company car.  nice!  Try and get some other stuff to put on your CV if possible, think of it as 'I can't show them all my good skills through my degree result so I'll have to find other ways to prove it'.  volunteering, working on student committees and the rest are always good options if you can manage it (but that might just take more time away from a workload you're already struggling with...)

Another alternative is not aiming for a graduate job and instead starting a little lower and work up.  As soon as they see you are clever and able you'll be matching your 2.1 friends