Could a student with a 2.2 degree AND a masters be taken on for a PhD?

shmux

I know a student with a 2.1 can go straight into a PhD but what about the above case?

I'm in science by the way (maths)

Thanks !

El Siglo

shmux wrote: »

I know a student with a 2.1 can go straight into a PhD but what about the above case?

I'm in science by the way (maths)

Thanks !

It's not as easy as that, a student with a 2:1 can do many things but go straight from a degree to a PhD is pretty difficult, it's as difficult with a 1st let alone a 2:1, the key thing about a PhD is funding and you would literally have to be consistently getting high marks to even have a shot of getting the required funding.

Now a 2:2, well you could get into a Masters alright, a taught yoke of some sort is pretty possible, you'd probably have to do another postgrad course to be sure e.g. BSc Maths, HDip Mathematical Science, MSc Mathematics then apply for the PhD, firstly because the more postgrad experience you have the better it looks on the application, second you would be really enabled to tackle research as you'd have done a ton of taught and a MSc would show your research abilities etc... looks really, really good on an application form and you'd definately have an edge over anyone with a 1st etc... also by doing as many postgrads or indeed if you get offered the MSc say in maths first time off you're on the pig's back because you'd have the research experience. However in the event of not getting into said MSc, the extra postgrad course will show that you are keen on learning and honing your knowledge so to speak and it would give you an advantage then for the MSc to follow. I'm just basing this on my own PhD application and on my brother who did a BA, HDip (Primary Education), MSc (Environmental Planning), he pissed the interview for the masters, he pissed the masters course because he his HDip was all continuous assessment as well and was more intensive than the Masters and really it's more notches on his belt, so it worked out well. Main thing to remember is;

-> Give a Masters in Maths or whatever application that relates specifically to your degree a shot, worst case scenario you waste €30 on an application form, if you get the offer take it!
-> If you don't, don't worry, there's tonnes of Masters/HDip courses that take on students with 2:2s with maths experience e.g. engineering courses, economics, etc...
-> After any postgrad (really in December/January of your postgrad, talk to a potential supervisor, work out a topic, and start into your PhD Application mid-way through your postgrad course, not after because IRCSET etc... do the calls early on in the year) apply for your PhD funding.

Hope that was of some help, it is a simplification of reality and not 100% and a very subjective overview but I'm just laying out what I've been told and seen etc...

Good luck with anything you apply for anyway!

shmux

Thank you!

Warmaster

well said by Siglo, I got a PhD on a 2.1 but I'd like to point out that your much more likely to get it if you have balls rather than good grades! A friend of mine got one with a 3rd class honours! Just be brave, the worst they can say is no

shmux

Helpful again

Thank you

ramblingcelt

To be honest I would recommend doing a masters first, especially if you have not done any research on your own. Masters level courses, whether taught or research, can be very different to undergrad but a research degree is really where you need to prove yourself. A large indicator of PHD success is also your relationship with your supervisor and a good masters would allow you to find someone you can really work with and enable you to prove to them you have what it takes. Some universities are very sticky but often work experience in the area can be seen as adding a lot of value to a students profile, especially if you did a masters straight after your undergrad.

Hope you have lots of success.

shmux

Thanks but i'm looking for a yes/no answer to "Could a student with a 2.2 degree AND a masters be taken on for a PhD"

ramblingcelt

In my experience, YES. It depends on the faculty of the university but if you have a primary degree and a masters in the same area you wish to do your PHD, there is a good chance. Especially if your Masters was by research and you did very well.

shmux

Thanks!

IvyTheTerrible

Yes, definitely. I got a 2.2 and did 18 months relevant work experience, and I got into a phd after that.

shmux

IvyTheTerrible wrote: »

Yes, definitely. I got a 2.2 and did 18 months relevant work experience, and I got into a phd after that.

Can I ask, in what field were you studying?

Podge_irl

shmux wrote: »

Thanks but i'm looking for a yes/no answer to "Could a student with a 2.2 degree AND a masters be taken on for a PhD"

Yes. But it really isn't that straightforward. I have a good first and will soon have a masters yet am having difficulty securing a PhD place with funding (in maths as well for the record).

shmux

Podge_irl wrote: »

Yes. But it really isn't that straightforward. I have a good first and will soon have a masters yet am having difficulty securing a PhD place with funding (in maths as well for the record).

Thanks for your input

Difficulty finding funding coz of the recession?