Hello
I got a 3rd class degree in accounting education (B Sc Ed) from University of Port Harcourt in Nigeria. What would my options be after that??Can i do masters???i am keen on accounting or financial management. Do u think i have any chance of doing a master on that?

Hi Emcee!

Your best bet is to directly email universities directly

Be prepared to explain a. why you got a third, b. why you have the potential to succeed on their course

I do know a chap who did an accountancy training after getting a third in pharmacology- the key was he didn't get funding so his parents had to subsidise everything.

You are in a difficult position with only a 3rd class degree, as that's not normally enough to be accepted onto a Masters course. As TomS says, be prepared to explain how you only got a 3rd and why you have the potential to succeed on their course.

However, there are other approaches - note I can only vouch for the UK model.

1) Contact the University where you did your degree. You may be able to resit the last year or just the exams for the last year a year later. Note, however, you may face a ceiling on the mark you can receive. In the UK, Universities set this at 50% although this is sufficient for a 2(ii). My feelings are this may be your best option.

However, if you look at this option then I would do the last year resit (entire year or just exams) as soon as possible after your initial degree as the University may set a time limit for this to happen.

2) Many Masters courses (at least in the UK) have a PostGrad Diploma option. This is offered in the UK to people with UK Higher National Certificates and Higher National Diplomas. This should also be available to people with 3rd class degrees.

At some point during your studies, you may be offered the chance to upgrade to the full Masters provided your marks are sufficiently high (I know of this happening to two people). Alternatively, the Postgrad Diploma on it's own might set you up to apply for a Masters at a later date.

3) Relevant significant works experience, say five years, may also be considered as an entry qualification for a Masters. However, even with this extra works experience you may initially have to start as a PostGrad Diploma student hoping to upgrade.

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I'll add a few years relevant works experience will strengthen your hand in all three cases, though relying on relevant works experience alone may lengthen the period before reasonable likelihood of acceptance onto a Masters course.

Ian