Can I Get a Good Masters Degree After 3rd Class Honours Degree?

[ntinosmg]

Hello i finished with a 3rd class honours degree in physics from one of the universities of london..I don't want to excuse myself..but since the start of the second term i had some health and mental problems which affected a lot my performance during the term and the examination period...I took the degree because of the extenuating circumstances and i got it with a 3rd...I have no idea what to do now...I would like to do master at the Earth sciences as i got a module about geophysics, or a master at finance...can u tell me if i have a chance of getting into a good masters degree or should i look for a job?

 

[khyun]

Hi

if you love Earth science, you won't miss anything trying to make application. I would not recommend finance.

another option would be to get a MSc with the Open University. If you do well with them, this could be a significant advantage when moving from then onto a regular MSc.

In some universities, (King's College London for example) there is the possibility also to do a "Graduate Diploma" for people who don't have the typical entry requirement of a MSc. Upon completion of the Graduate Diploma, they can do a MSc. Believe me you are not the only one in your case and Universities have really a range of routes for such profiles. have faith and go for Earth Science. :-)

 

[ntinosmg]

Do you think it would be better to find a part time masters degree in a university and try to find a job in the same field??Or do u think it would be better to search for a job work a couple of years and then do a MSc in a good university?

 

[Shaun_W]

An MSc won't overwrite your undergraduate result, so will likely be somewhat of a waste of money.

What I would advise is trying to get into the world of work and just working your way up. With a 3rd it'll be more difficult to enter the jobs market than with a 2:1 or above, but it's not impossible.

 

[ntinosmg]

So it would be a waste of time to continue education you think?? Not even in the future?

 

[Shaun_W]

Immediately, yes, because it simply won't make up for your 3rd class degree at undergraduate level.

In the future, when you're established in a career, enrolling on a masters might be worth it, as by that time your undergraduate degree will likely no longer be scrutinised during the recruitment process.

 

[ntinosmg]

So, your oponion is that the best thing i could do now it go get a job in the field i like and after many years if i want to do a masters, right?

 

[Shaun_W]

Basically, yes.

 

[ntinosmg]

and i shouldn't search not even for a part time masters, right?

 

[ntinosmg]

and something else...do u think that at the jobs that i will apply they will consider the extenuating circumstances that i had if i mention them?

 

[Shaun_W]

I don't know.

 

[cristo]

and something else...do u think that at the jobs that i will apply they will consider the extenuating circumstances that i had if i mention them?

Isn't the idea of extenuating circumstances that it allows for some leniency when giving you a classification. So, you did your exams, got some particular grades, and then the extenuating circumstances were taken into account when the exam board met to give you a classification. I don't think it makes sense to use the extenuating circumstances again once you have a degree, since then it would be like using them twice. Without the extenuating circumstances, you would not have got the 3rd class degree (presumably).

 

[ntinosmg]

yes but i asked if i could repeat the modules that i failed...but they gave me the degree with 3rd...most likely i would take at least 2.2 if i could repeat these modules...so because of the extenuating circumstances i got a 3rd so i guessed that i could be good to mention it..

 

[Vanadium 50]

most likely i would take at least 2.2 if i could repeat these modules

What if the person you are competing against who got a 2.2 would have got a 2.1 if he could have repeated those courses? Would that be fair?

 

[ntinosmg]

No it wouldn't be fair, but i had some health problems that affected the results...anyway as i said before i don't want excuse myself i am just trying to see what i can do to have bettter chances to get a job or a masters that i want

 

[Oxvillian]

Did you think about going to America? Most Americans don't understand the difference between a first and a third. They're both B.A. (hons). A good physics GRE score is probably at least as important.

A year or two abroad can be fun. I ended up marrying an American girl and staying here.

 

[ntinosmg]

If i would accepted i would go...but i guess that the tuition fees must be very expensive..and still i think a 3rd is a 3rd everywhere

 

[Oxvillian]

If i would accepted i would go...but i guess that the tuition fees must be very expensive..and still i think a 3rd is a 3rd everywhere

Usually what happens in American physics departments is that the tuition fees are waived if you work for 15ish hours a week as a TA (teaching assistant). That option also pays you enough cash to live on.

 

[ntinosmg]

ok i will search for it...but i have to get a visa first and get accepted..

 

[ntinosmg]

do you have any site on mind to give it to me?

 

[cristo]

Did you think about going to America? Most Americans don't understand the difference between a first and a third. They're both B.A. (hons). A good physics GRE score is probably at least as important.

I don't think this is true. When applying to grad school you are bound to be asked for your GPA. While UK degrees don't really convert, an admissions department will have a rough idea of a conversion, and a third will probably convert to below 2.5 GPA. I can't see that this would get oyu into a decent grad school...

 

[Oxvillian]

I don't think this is true. When applying to grad school you are bound to be asked for your GPA. While UK degrees don't really convert, an admissions department will have a rough idea of a conversion, and a third will probably convert to below 2.5 GPA. I can't see that this would get oyu into a decent grad school...

In my time here in the US I don't think I've ever asked for or volunteered my class of degree on any application, academic or otherwise. For undergraduate GPA I've always just put "n/a".

But of course the OP would need to offset this lack of information with a high GRE score and a couple of good references. And perhaps more importantly, be sure that he/she is motivated and capable of putting in the work required to achieve a graduate degree.

 

[ntinosmg]

anyway thank you all...i will consider everythin you said...probably i am going to stay in europe searching for a job