What to do if you get a 2:2

Getting a ‘Desmond’ is perhaps the biggest fear for many students when they embark on their university career. But what does it actually mean if you get a 2:2? How much of a difference does it make?

All in all, it only makes a big difference if you let it. You can be equally successful and find great opportunities regardless of your degree classification. Here are a few tips to help you achieve your potential.

Be proactive

Yes, it’s true - some companies have a 2:1 as the minimum entry requirement to a job role. However, many are using this as a screen, purely to facilitate cutting through the number of applicants they receive on a daily basis. 

It comes down to perseverance. If you want to pursue a career in a particular field, you’ll know what is required and you’ll stop at nothing to be successful. 

If for any reason, it doesn’t quite pan out, then you will have probably built up a wealth of work experience in the meantime which will make you desirable to many employers.

Ultimately, experience and real-world knowledge count far more than what degree you got.

Here are 10 things to help you kick-start your career.

Think outside of the box

The reality is this – only a small percentage of the business world actually focuses on your degree grade. There are multiple career routes in which grades count for very little. It just depends on what you want to do. 

With a positive attitude and a willingness to work hard, you can travel anywhere and secure yourself employment. 

Remember, a 2:2 doesn’t reflect anything other than academics. You will have many other attributes that employers want. 

Success is self-made

Richard Branson, Anna Wintour, Steve Jobs, and David Bowie all share one thing in common: none of them finished university. 

Yet we look at the success enjoyed by each of them and it’s hard to find an excuse not to be successful in our own lives.

In the same way that a 2:1 or a 1st doesn’t guarantee lifelong success, a 2:2 should never be seen as a hindrance to ambition. 

Learn what you can do with your degree.

Firms are changing their priorities

Ultimately, if you get a 2:2 there's absolutely no reason to panic. 

In fact, the professional world is slowly coming to realise that there are greater aspects to defining a potential employee other than a grade. 

Firms such as EY and Clifford Chance have scrapped the minimum requirement of a 2:1 from their application process, preferring to judge a more full view of the candidate as a whole. 

Start applying to graduate schemes today with our handy application deadline list.

The end result

In conclusion, there really is very little you cannot do with a 2:2. In the event of your dream job being inaccessible, get creative. If you can’t secure an ideal role in the UK, look abroad. Or simply find another way in. Alternatively, check if there are any other career paths that could suit you with our career test.

There are no rules when it comes to forging your career. Every decision you make is right for you at the time, and any that turn out to be wrong are just part of the learning process.