Ouch! I don't have any A levels (dropped out half way through), plus my O level result aren't much to write home about either. I enrolled onto my undergrad course as a mature student of 27 after my divorce and felt that I wanted to do something different. I got in based partly on my experience of running my own business (I used my accountant as one of the referees!) and partly on my ability to charm the course leader...:) )

Did very badly in the first year, and just scraped 40% pass mark to progress, lucky that did not count towards the final honours. Second and final years were very much better, and I was told by my dissertation supervisor that I only missed a First due to the marking system (not sure if he was trying to make me feel better, or if it was true), and my dissertation was marked down by the second marker to ensure I get a very high 2:1 rather than a First.

Just trying to say that there can be late developers, who for whatever reason, did not do that well at school/undergrad level, and should be given another chance to shine. I certainly wouldn't have contemplated another two years of A level study, or heaven forbid, some more O level courses, and would just decide that education wasn't for me if I wasn't offered a place. Not being vain in anyway, but I certainly don't think I've devalued the undergrad degree in any way, nor cheapen the Master's that I completed this September, and I wouldn't like to think that I would contribute in any way in devaluing a PhD if my funding application for 2018 is successful...:)

No I don't think so.
Excellence is an absolute not a relative thing in my opinion.
My ability to excel at playing the guitar doesn't depend on how good you are for example.

Ouch indeed :-D
There are always exceptions and as I said in a previous post, I had to improve from a 2:2 myself before I could take the PhD.
In fairness, school level education is such a low barrier to clear that this probably wasn't the best example for me to give. Mind you I dont recall making any comment about devaluing the undergraduate degree. You got the high 2:1 at undergrad so clearly my comment about devaluing the PhD wasn't aimed at you.

Good luck with your application.

[/quote]

No I don't think so.
Excellence is an absolute not a relative thing in my opinion.
My ability to excel at playing the guitar doesn't depend on how good you are for example.[/quote]

But surely if everyone can play the guitar like Hendrix, then that's the norm rather than anything out of the ordinary? And only people who player better would be classified as 'excellent'?

Take this as banter rather than anything else, as my head is aching from trying to get two proposas done to what they expect, and so am using this forum as a welcome distraction. I was making the logical deduction that if low undergrad degree grades devalue a PhD, then by the same token, non-existent A levels would devalue an undergrad degree...:)

No I don't think so.
Excellence is an absolute not a relative thing in my opinion.
My ability to excel at playing the guitar doesn't depend on how good you are for example.[/quote]

But surely if everyone can play the guitar like Hendrix, then that's the norm rather than anything out of the ordinary? And only people who player better would be classified as 'excellent'?[/quote]

When that happens, come back to me and we can re-evaluate. :-D

A levels have never been mandatory in order to enter university. You have always been able to enter without them. A few hundred thousand Scots manage it every year ;-)

Hi, I am from Engineering backgound- Master's of Technology in Electronics & Communication Engg., with 5.8 years of work exp. (Teaching, Corporate , Voluntary exp.).Now, i want to pursue my PhD in Management field. Do i need to have a master's degree in Management for this?
My areas of interest is- The factors that affect the competitive performance of an organization and its employee-organization relationship, and how personality, wellbeing at work, leadership, coaching, positive psychology, personal development, communication, reflection, learning, team building, emotions, hope, conflict management, inclusion and diversity affects an organization its business and strategies. How i can get admission for this? Kindly share your suggestions.

Hi, I am from Engineering background- Master's of Technology in Electronics & Communication Engg., with 5.8 years of work exp. (Teaching, Corporate , Voluntary exp.).Now, i want to pursue my PhD in Management field. Do i need to have a master's degree in Management for this?
My areas of interest is- The factors that affect the competitive performance of an organization and its employee-organization relationship, and how personality, wellbeing at work, leadership, coaching, positive psychology, personal development, communication, reflection, learning, team building, emotions, hope, conflict management, inclusion and diversity affects an organization its business and strategies. How i can get admission for this? Kindly share your suggestions.[/quote]

OP, what I am going to say will draw a lot of hate, but this is my experience
just few months before my A-level, I have some serious family issue, leading to mostly B in my AL
and on top of that, I return to my Home country which have less than 10 Universities and only 20% qualified students able to get a degree
I end up doing an ordinary degree with about 60%, after I graduated, I was offer a Teaching assistant post, and I enroll my PGDE. When I have my training, my supervisor told me, it will be extremely hard for any school hire me because of my degree isn't a Hons Degree. Yet, I end up teaching in 3 different school, junior and senior before I lose hope in the system.
Then I try to shift my career and have my first MSc, result in 3.16 GPA in 4.0 system, not something bright, and a year ago I finish my 2nd MSc with 67% overall score. However, I received 3 funded PhD studentship offers, and even 1 interview from Oxford.
Examination does not always reflect how a student doing, in my year of teaching I have seen straight As student who turn out to be "not very smart", I have also seen a very smart student who only got D at best. Some student are better at doing exam, some excel in other form of assessment.
Applying a PhD studentship is not applying a job, you will spend you next 3 years working in that dept., and with those team, the supervisor is looking for someone not only have the intelligence, but also genuine interest and commitment to the project. You should draft an e-mail outlining you interest and discussion with the supervisor, it may not guarantee you an interview, but you will gain valuable experience as well as leaving a good impression to the supervisor

Here here.

Well said Ringsound!

N

57% is a decent score to be accepted for a PHD course. Do your research and find right institute for your subject. You may consult your topic before sending a proposal.

That is indeed impressive. What field you are in, and what sort of funded place were you offered? I am hoping to start a funded PhD in 2018, and would appreciate any advice on the funding process, primarily as back-up in case in my first choice doesn't come through.

Thanks.