Hi, I want to do a Ph. D but I only got a 2ii for my undergraduate degree and I'm finding it really frustrating that all the entry requirements I read say good first degree or excellent first degree.

I had some personal issues during my undergraduate years that distracted me from doing my best but I'm doing good with the MSc now.

Am I stressing about nothing? Is it possible to fulfill what I think my potential is despite my past deficits? Do many people that got a 2ii get to do a Ph. D?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Hey! It is certainly possible to get on a fully funded PhD with a 2.2 at undergrad and a good masters- I have a couple of friends who managed to get onto a PhD with those qualifications and who are doing well now. There are other similar examples on this forum. You will probably find it harder to get on one as you'll be competing with people who have first class degrees, but there's no reason to think you won't get there with a bit of perseverence. You would probably increase your chances by doing a year as a research assistant or a placement- both my pals with 2.2s did that and when funding became available, they had already proven to their prospective supervisors that they could do a good job, and they were offered it straight away. It also depends a bit on your subject and how competitive it is. Good luck with it- the best thing to do at the moment is concentrating on getting a good MSc! Best, KB

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I got a 2:2 and so I did a masters to make myself look better. I only got a pass, but in the end it seems my supervisors realised research skills were more important than grades - although I admit I had a few interviews before this where they felt the other way!

It's a lot harder when you don't have awesome grades, but you can still get there.

+ 1 to the other 2 posters.

Going straight into a PhD with a 2.2 would be doubtful as best but having a good m.sc will support your application so make sure that you do your best with that

Good luck

Shh. I have a confession to make, I don't even have a first degree, or a masters so it can be done. I not only don't have a first degree, I failed one, and thereafter the highest level I achieved after A level was an HND, which was more of an embarrasment than anything else. I applied for my second bite of the cherry to begin at Masters level but was initially refused and was forced to enrol at undergrad level.

However I found that so frustrating and the level of work below my standards that I found a loophole in the University regulations that allowed me to transfer to a Masters before even submitting my first assignment. I never completed the Master's either, I transferred to a PhD after a year. Whether I will ever get my PhD is another thing, I have too many distractions, if I could get a post doc position without having to complete it, I might just do that, though I think that would be a leap too far as I still have some 60,000 words left of my thesis to write and I am disappointed in not having made any world shattering discoveries so far :(

My advice is to make out a case for yourself, present alternative evidence of your abilities and go for it.

Hi where there is a will there is a way! I graduated with a Third Class Hons degree in 1994 in History but discovered another subject years later and did a Masters in it and got a distinction and funding for a research degree. You are judged by more recent study and qualifications and good references so do a Masters first.