Hello,

I received my Bachelor's degree over 10 years ago from a top Cdn uni with a decent GPA (first class in UK). Two years later I completed my MSc in a slightly different topic at a top British uni. Didn't do so well, only 2:2, primarily based on final exams. It was a bizarre grading system there, where one prof had to grade on a bell curve b/c more than half the class failed final exams in one of my courses. After many years work experience I'm looking to apply for MPhil (en route to PhD) and would like to get funding, which I likely won't get if I apply with my MSc grades on the list.

Should I just apply with my Bachelor degree and ask those writing recommendations not to reference my grad school experience? Could I get in trouble for not disclosing my MSc experience? What would you do? I should be able to get enough references through work and former undergrad profs.

Any and all advice is most helpful. Many thanks

As it was 8 years ago, you've got some experience,I wouldn't hide the MSc. MScs are often marked differently -when I did mine it was fail, pass or distinction, no merit. So a 'pass' could be interpreted as a high merit lol. no one would know! And it is experience, did you do ok on your research project (if you had one)?

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Hey,

I'm waiting for a PhD viva.

Prior to starting my PhD, my supervisors were very interested in my MSc marks and wanted to see a transcript of my second MSc. I was awarded a pass (with 65% average) from a UCL masters degree. UCL only has a distinction/pass/fail system, whereas other master courses have distinction/merit/pass/fail (ie with my first MSc). I managed to get my PhD on the basis of relevant experience and good performance with my 2 master degrees and making sure I was knowledgable about their publications!

I think its important to be up front about your previous experiences. You could perhaps explain your performance from the bell curve incident you've highlighted above (which I find very strange and unfair!).

For a MPhil/PhD, they will be very interested about your research experiences and your performance with research projects.

Best of luck with it! x

Thanks so much for your replies - extremely helpful. I agree with you both: I prefer to be upfront. But I can't help but be nervous that the MSc will likely hinder any chances of funding.

My uni (for MSc) has distinction/merit/pass/fail system, and they did give us % grades as well. I got a 57% overall, which is a far cry from my undergrad magna cum laude. The grading on a bell curve situation was indeed strange, but wouldn't it seem odd having to explain that to admissions? I don't want to seem like I'm complaining or coming up with excuses, though it's all entirely true. However, it may be a useful approach...at least when speaking with potential supervisors.

Sneaks: we had the option to do a research project, but with a turn around time of 8 months, virtually no supervision, and the paper being worth only 5% of the overall average not one person in my class took this route. However, I now have over 9 years experience managing programs, projects and communications strategies; writing and research; consulting, and building international networks (which would be useful for the kind of research I want to do). Am hoping that will count for something.

Pineapple29, I wish you best of luck with the viva! You are almost there...