studyflats
2nd July 2018
You were (almost) certain that you were on course for a 2:1, or even a first-class in your university degree. But somehow on the results day you didn’t feel as happy as those who got a higher classification.
If you’ve recently graduated, regardless of your degree classification, congratulations. Commitment to a degree over a period of several years is something that every student should be proud of. This might seem easier said than done, specially if you invested a lot of time and effort into your degree. You may also be worried about how this can affect your chances of landing a job. Hence, we made this guide in the hope of helping you look at things with a different perspective.1) You’re not your degree
Sounds like a cliché, but this is very true. There could be many reasons why you didn’t get a higher classification, but that doesn’t mean that you are not intelligent enough. It may be difficult to think this way when you’re down about your result. However, it’s very important that you have this perspective in order to do well in the next stage of your life.2) Rethink your degree subject
This doesn’t apply to everyone but it’s definitely worth a thought. Think about the subject you studied for your degree, and what you learned during the modules and assessments. Consider whether this was something that you were genuinely interested in, or simply just chose for any reason other than the latter. You may have chosen your subject because it was “the most practical course” or simply because you had no idea what subject to pursue in university and it was the closest one to your preferences. Ask yourself these questions:-
- Is this a subject that I want to pursue a career in?
- If I had all the money in the world, what would I be personally interested to pursue as a career?
3) Consider postgraduate study
If this is an option for you, it’s definitely worth giving a thought. This may be in your bachelors subject, or a new area. We’ve summarised the advantages and disadvantages of doing a postgraduate degree:Pros and cons of doing a postgraduate degree
Pros
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- You gain more academic and soft skills, which can enhance your career options
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- You can learn about a new subject
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- You can meet new people from different backgrounds and create a strong personal network
- You can be a student for another year, or two (because who wouldn’t want to be?)
Cons
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- It takes time. This may or may not be good and depends on your personal circumstances
- It may be expensive, especially if you’re an international student
4) Apply for an internship/placement
You might be worried about the implications that having a 2:2 degree may have on your job applications. The good news is that your grade is not the only thing that an employer considers. In many cases, having the necessary personal skills and past experience matters much more than your degree classification.5) Apply for start-up companies
Start-up companies, due to being fresh companies and not yet at a fully established stage, can be very beneficial. Start-ups are likely to be more lenient with degree classifications and more about how you can personally contribute to the development of the company. Therefore, this is mainly a matter of your own personality rather than your grade. The other benefit of working in start-ups is that you will usually have plenty of responsibility, which is very valuable in terms of your own personal development and hence your professional profile.6) Start your own business
If you’re just overall not keen on employment, this is another one to think about. The best way to start is to think if you have an idea that you think can be profitable. Or, you might also have an idea for a non-profit business. Start with an idea and then try to get guidance about doing a business. You can find plenty of information online or through your university. You might also be interested in our guide for international students on starting their own business in the UK.Previous article
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