Importance of degree result

That depends on where you want to work. The big software companies in Ireland (Amazon, Microsoft, Google) wouldn't consider you with a 2.2. The medium sized companies probably would.

The most important part of programming is the theory, the code doesn't matter, anyone can write code, but not all can do correctly.

It's kind of a running joke more than something serious but people (staff and other students) in my uni say that if you get less than a 2.1, say you didn't go to college and were off in Thailand for 4 years. It's better to be seen as not having tried than not being capable.

I never put my degree or masters result on my C.V as a graduate, still not sure if this made any difference. I got a 2.2 in my undergrad and a Pass in my taught Masters, studying for exams wasn't exactly my strong point. I didn't apply to may companies but got an interview with Microsoft and Accenture, though I ended up in another company. Once you can get the interview I don't think the grade really matters. A C.V just needs to impress, a good grade will do that but it isn't the only thing. Things that can impress are interesting final year projects or dissertations, personal projects, excellence in other areas, a particularly well laid out C.V, experience in a desired technology, an internship(s), etc.

I think the others are right in that anything below a 2:1 with just a primary degree will make it very difficult to get into the big name tech firms because they are highly contested. But there is so many interesting companies out there I wouldn't exactly sweat that. Though saying that having a 2:2 can make it harder starting out, just know you'll have to rely on interview skills and putting yourself out there more so than those with a higher result.

And not being able to get theory to stick; sounds like something I would have said but in all honesty it's just because I couldn't give a flying **** about the theory unless I could relate it to something practical like lab work, assignments, or projects. Or I wouldn't do a tap for exams because I just didn't have the drive to so. I think you're better off accepting where you're lacking and try to make up for it where you're strong. Theory just not sticking is something that won't fly with most people so don't give them the excuse to throw it back at you. It's generally how you put something across that matters as opposed to what you're actually saying.

I just missed out on a 2.1 grade by 0.6% in my undergrad degree but still got a graduate job offer for the first and only company I interviewed for. I think my past work and internship experience coupled with what I thought was a strong interview was what comfortably sealed the deal.

Good grades are of course quite a good indicator but there were guys coming in to this company interviewing for the same grad positions as mine with really great grades but their poor interview skills let them down so they didn't receive an offer. Always something to be mindful of!

You can also probably mask anything on your degree with something breathtaking on GitHub, but if it's only a question of applying yourself, then you're being a bit of a dick if you don't.

Grade may be an indication of how good you are, but it isnt the be all and end all.

I have a 2.2 degree, but I didn't have any issues getting a job, and it was tougher times when I graduated (2009). I get on well in my job so it isn't a direct indication of how good you'll be in the work environment.

It may effect your chances of getting a interview, but I think as has been mentioned if I was looking at your CV as a grad and you had links to projects on github it would definitely be really positive thing.

The degree result is pretty much just to get you to an interview. Especially for the big companies you could be talking about hundreds of potential candidates for a position; HR need some way to whittle down the applicant count and degree result is one way to do it.

Now this only applies to recent graduates and it doesn't mean every company does it; but to say that it "makes no difference" is a cop out in my opinion. It's one of the things that will likely be assessed if you're trying to get your foot in the door. It's also something that may impact any application to a MSc. course.

Edit: Ultimately the point I'm trying to make is that you should put in as much work as you can to try and secure a 2.1; as it does make a difference. That's not to say you're never going to get a job if you get a 2.2 but there's no point selling yourself short until you've sat your exams.

There are more people taking computer science courses these days. Where in the past the overall result was less important, soon there's going to be more and more people graduating. That's going to place more of a premium on your results, at least for the graduate roles.

Marsden wrote: »

I apply meself, but I've been out of the education system for 15 years and I've a wife and kids that take up time that I wish I had more of for studying. That comment makes you seem like a bit of a dick yourself though.

I was out of the education system myself for longer than that and went back and did my masters (not a work requirement, more a personal challenge), and you're right - the time commitment is a real pain when you have a family. However you never mentioned that: my comment explicitly was "if it's only a question of applying yourself" - since that's not the case, then you're not.

Oh, and pointing out that someone who can't be arsed (not the case here) is a bit of an eejit doesn't make me one!

doubie wrote: »

I had the same problem when I was at university. I sucked at theories but excelled in programming while I know a lot of my classmates they excelled in theories but sucked at programming. Four years later now, those guys are still in the 'testing team' while I'm now a senior developer. In terms of salary, it hasn't increased much for them as compared to mine.

What about guys that excelled at both?