Why a 2:2 isn’t THAT bad

The fear of graduating with a lower second class degree, a.k.a. ‘a Desmond’, is something which haunts final year students. But is it really such a bad degree to leave University with?

It’s no secret that, for the majority of students, the first year of University is far from a studious year. Meeting new people, out most nights, never missing Bed @ Bunker, not a lot of sleep, and not a lot of lectures either.

It might sound like too much, but it doesn’t count towards my degree, so we might as well have a bit of fun while we can, right?

Too much time here rather than studying?

Then comes the struggle in second year, and finally full on PANIC in our final year as we start to realise the possibility of getting the dreaded Desmond, or perhaps even lower (gasp), could easily happen.

There is so much pressure from our parents, our peers, and the media to come out of university with at least a 2:1. Rumours start to circulate that there is no way you will be able to get a job with a 2:2, as a 2:1 is the cut off point.

So, if we don’t achieve this we won’t get a job, our friends will think we are stupid, and university was a waste of time because a 2:2 is useless. How will we ever get that career that we are so desperate to obtain? Or is this all just a bunch of rubbish?

I am in my final year at Bristol, and despite my best efforts, I’m not certain whether I will graduate with a degree that fits the expectations of the job market, or even my own. Perhaps employers will think I am lazy, and not determined enough. Is our final degree the be all and end all?

A typical Desmond student

I don’t think this is the case at all. There are far more ways to stand out from the other applicants besides your degree certificate. University is not the only place to gain and develop skills that are useful in the workplace. Obviously employers will look at the degree you graduated with, but they will also look a little deeper and explore the other qualities that you possess.

If you are determined and are passionate about the career that you want to pursue, then an employer will see this. Extra curricular activities are just as important as the degree you graduate with. There are plenty of people who have succeeded in their careers after graduating with a 2:2 or lower from their university. Perhaps they didn’t even attend university at all!

J.K. Rowling graduated with a 2:2, yet she has to be one of the most successful authors of all time! Harry Potter has led her to be a billionaire. So surely it can’t all be about the degree?

And let’s face it: there are also plenty of graduate schemes which you’re eligible for even with a 2.2. HMRC, Catlin Group, the NHS and the Civil Service all consider applicants with Desmonds.

We shouldn’t let our degrees define us. A degree alone will not land us the career of our dreams. Opportunities will present themselves to those who are determined to succeed, irrespective of their degree certificate.

After all, it shouldn’t just be about what we have achieved – but rather what we will be able to achieve. So don’t despair, a 2:2 is not the end of the world. It just shows you’ve had a good time!