So I graduated this year with a Pass BEng (Ordinary), the lowest possible I could get short of a fail. Does anyone know of any further education (MEng) courses any University offers up that will take me on with that grade. Theoretically I can apply for a full 4 year MEng (hons) again on my BTEC grades but I cant afford it and Im curious if anywhere will do an extra year or two to make it a higher valued degree and give me sort of a 2nd chance at getting a propper grade. Im about 70% sure I got such a bad mark through various circumstances (rubbish groups in group work, useless maths tuition on BTEC courses and a mix up of grade aluminium for my final project). I clearly cant apply for a PhD or anything that level as they all seem to require a 2.1 or 1st. Surely some university offers a taught post graduate course that I could get on, Its not like Im under the grade barrier for a full degree which would include the MEng part
I don't know of any specific courses, but you might want to look at a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma. They're both below masters level, and designed for people who already have a degree and want to cover new content, or in your case have another go. You're going to have to make a good case for why you didn't do as well as you wanted to due to circumstances outside of your control, or how you've changed since. Good luck and don't give up
your best bet is to talk to your current uni, they're usually the most likely to take you on and if not then they can give you lots of advise. You may also be able to just resit your worst modules within your department. Go talk to your tutor/head of year and see what they have to say about it. Does your union/uni have a student advice department? You should talk to them about what you want to do. Also when being interviewed don't use those kind of excuses for your low grade, they won't rate you very highly... You're better off blaming it on yourself and saying you know where you went wrong and are willing to do better etc etc
I really wouldn't stress about your grade, not a lot of places care about it, wit, charm and a good interview technique are far more important. Of course, some uber corp jobs would frown on a pass. You can also be in work, get them to pay for an open university course to top up to a masters in something, not sure what. You'll have to stay with the company for a certain time to "repay" it though. Generally speaking, once you have a degree it's best to just get out and work, unless you're going for a research position or something. My gf is starting to regret her descision to do a masters, she would get a higher starting wage, but a few years down the line she'll be on roughly the same salary.
I've gotta second everything Veles has said, I got a BSc pass with honours (allegedly) in chemistry about 5 years ago, not one place I've worked since has questioned the grade, they've all just accepted I have a degree and I've got on with it. I've also very rarely been turned away from a job. My better half however graduated with a first and went on to do a masters, almost a year later she still can't find a job being told she's overqualified for most that she's interested in. Unless you want to be working in the field of your degree or as Veles said in research you are better just getting into work and getting relevant experience imho.
You're probably right, but i graduated this summer and so far, every job i applied for has required a 2-1 or 1st. I think it depends mostly on the degree you've done and what you're looking to do after. Maybe you could try looking for jobs that are less specialist than your degree? Personally i would try and improve my grade though.
Research is pretty much what I want to do (materials). And the only jobs i can find in what i want ask for a 2.1, quite a few have asked me what grade i did get then seemed a little less enthusiastic afterward. Im on about my 6th interview now and just wondering if its worth taking a year or 2 doing more degree.
like i said before, go talk to your department and the student advice center straight away (before the uni year starts). They will tell you your options within the university, you don't wanna switch unis, that's much more difficult and there's a chance that if you stay where you are then your tuition fees won't increase
If you can explain why you didn't get a 2.1 and show passion & enthusiasm for the job then they should be more willing to take you, this IS speaking from experience.