I m so sad and disappointed, I didnt get the PhD I went for. Apparently 2.1 is not so good any more and even if I am doing a MSc still it doesnt count as a qualification. Research is the only thing I want to do! I will now have to find a job to get some experience in the filed but I bet is going to be so hard 4 that too, why thinks are always so complicated?only 2 yeras ago u didnt need a !st or an MSc to porsue a career in biology!so frustrating

It depends on the area of biology you want to go into. If there's lots of others after the places then the grades that you need to get a place go up.

If you've not been getting any offers, it is not your academic qualifications that are the limiting factor. A 2:1 is good for plenty of people and a MSc should be recognised as a qualification. In fact some uni's/supervisor's are starting to reject candidates without a Masters (e.g. Imperial). I certainly wouldn't give up with your applications. Statistically you'll only get 1 offer for every 4 or 5 applications you send off. I say: keep applying.

I would not give up if I where you. Several people I know who have 2.2 in biology and a msc have been excepted for phds. So there is hope!! Why not ask for feedback from the places that turned you down?

I think the most important factor is motivation and dedication!don't give up!!!in Portugal we usually work "pro bono" in the lab where we HOPE to do our PhD and eventually some money will appear for the project and you will be the person who will have the position because you are already familiarized with the project and techincs!

Thank u guys, I will keep trying, in worse case scenario I ll have to wait one more year while I get some experince I guess and finish my MSc

keep trying. am also in almost the same dire situation. phd offers with no funding. donno what to do coz i never imagined myself working next year. nevertheless, i'll keep applying. you never know what might just come up. just try. don't loose heart.

I can only echo what everyone else is saying about continuing to apply. With a bit of luck i managed to get onto my biology PhD with a 2.1 and no masters so don't give up hope just yet.

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Taking a year out to get lab experience wouldn't be the end of the world though. This is actually the route most of the students in my lab have taken so is obviously something that makes you attractive to potential supervisors and it can also have the added benfit of allowing you to hit the ground running when you do start your PhD, since you'll already have picked up lots of useful techniques.