ive just finished my 4 year undergrad physics masters and missed a 2:2 by 2% (48.3). I am now considering starting a teaching course in sep 06 after taking a year out-not something i have ever wanted to do but am pressure by my parents :( I am unsure what i can do with my 3rd class degree and whether or not i would have any chance of getting onto a physics phd anywhere? any advice will be well recieved, thanks

I think you have to ask yourself why you got a third. If you don't have any real interest in academic study then doing a PhD is a really bad idea. As one of the articles linked to from this site said: don't do a PhD because you can't think of anything else to do, that's what Masters degrees are for.

Getting on to a PhD with a 3rd would be almost impossible without a postgraduate Masters degree on top and even then you would not be eligible for most of the available funding. It would also be difficult to get on a suitable postgraduate masters course with a third and the chances of getting any funding for this are very low.

Taking a teaching degree that doesn't interest you is also probably a bad idea. A third isn't the end of the world, don't let it force you into rash decisions.

Hey ms. First let me say - don't give up ! Taking a year out is a good idea at this point, providing you use it well. Explore some of the things that you would like to do and see where it takes you, but don't just let the time drift by. And don't let your parents pressure you into anything, YOU are the best judge of what you want.

A friend of mine graduated a few years ago with a third, didn't know what to do. Went home. Started computing classes at her local college. Now she works in IT support in the City. So things are possible, you just need to perhaps discover them, but perhaps an academic route may not be for you. Anyway, all the best !

I think this is all nonesense. I got a pass for my first degree but a commendation for my masters, so what does that mean? People change and often early disappointment is a spur to future success

I do agree with David but I think with a 3rd it would be very hard! With a 2:2 and MSc it is hard enough as it is very competitive! I do think it is unfair that they just look at what you got and it seems to stay with you so you must do lots to show you are keen on subject you want to do! Volunteering is a good way to show this. Taking a break is a good idea to work out what you want to do!