Hi all. I am currently a Master's student in Oncology..This is actually my second Master's degree. I got my undergraduate in a UK university and I missed a 2:1 by 2 points (58). The reason was the most stupid of all. I had to submit an assignment for a final year elective course and I thought it was not compulsory because in the previous years it was not. Turns out it was. I was given a 40 regardless of my real grade after they made me prepare another assignment and retake the exam. That grade on its own would have got me to 2:1. I did a master's in the same university right after, and I graduated however it was a research master and I was not graded. Therefore, most universities (for PhD) required me to submit a grade and I did not have one. Since I was quite young at the time (23) I decided to do another Master's in the Netherlands...there were courses to take so I would get good grades and get better chances for PhD. Turns out not! I was given 6.5 for most of my courses and the Dutch way of thinking, let's not even talk about it. I got a research project at a national cancer research center and I thought, hey great opportunity. If I get a good grade for this research I am surely doing a PhD. Guess what. Turns out my supervisor (a PhD student) has issues. He made me waste 8 months and the space here is not enough to explain the amount of racism, exclusion and suppression I faced. Now they tell me I dont have good results, I did not try hard bla bla. But I am a laboratory person. My university grades were never that high anyway and I am not proud of it. Considering though that I almost got a 2:1 without studying a part of me tells me I could have done much better with a bit of effort. Now my chances of getting an 8 for this project is quite low..A 7 is still possible but the guy doesn't like me so I can forget a reference. To me it sounds like a series of unfortunate events and the truth is I am dying to do research. I am always exhilarated to be in the lab and I have no doubts about my passion, my skills and capabilities. The question is, what do I do to increase my chances for a PhD if things get much worse and I do not get even a 7 from my project? I really need good advice here....I don't care about money..I just want to do research!

It sounds like an unfortunate series of events! I know what you mean about the hang up about grades as it just shows that you are good at exams and not necessary research which uses a different set of skills. Have you pointed out your mark for your research project for your original Masters? If that's good surely it would show your potential for doing research. I don't think they should hold it against you if they didn't grade your Masters. Have you thought about getting a copy of the transcript which shows the marks for each subject/module even though you don't have an overall grade? That would show your skills across a wide set of subjects and potential for research.

I don't know how the Dutch grade their exams/degrees so I can't comment on that I'm afraid. But with two Masters it would look good on your CV anyway and show you like to research. What's the top mark or is that a 7 for your project?

Volunteering is another way of looking keen and possibly picking up new skills. If you could do it in a research institution/uni (though I think there are less opportunities there) it would look good and show them you are dedicated to doing research. It's tough as that is what you've set your heart on but getting a PhD is like a waiting game so you just have to go apply for lots of things and knock on as many doors as possible. Hopefully one of them will open!

Good luck (up)

OK so if I remember correctly 6.5 is a grade D in ECTS so a low 2:2 in UK terms and a 7 ECTS C so a high 2:2. That realistically is not going to look terribly competitive however you spin it, particularly if there's not going to be a decent reference from your current project to counteract it. How about applying for research assistant jobs in biggish labs either in a university or industry as a stepping stone? That might get you the good reference and extra lab experience, new techniques learnt etc that would help to counterbalance your academic record. I have a friend who was in a similar position, who got a job at Bayer with that in mind. Ironically, she's now decided against a PhD as she enjoys the job and has got used to having money to spend...

Also I don't know what support Dutch universities offer but is there a counselling or a careers service you could visit? You just sound so negative and down, and I wonder whether talking to someone trained might help. I know from my own experience of studying abroad that when things are going badly, being in an unfamiliar system can really be the final straw that breaks the camel's back.