What to do if you get a 2:2

Careers Network is ready to offer you support and advice if you are disappointed with your 2:2.

You can access support from Careers Network for two more years when you graduate. If you move away, we can still help via Skype/telephone/e-guidance. You can:

• Book appointments for 1-1 careers advice
• Attend employer events and careers workshops
• Get individual advice on internships/work experience

• Get careers advice

Things to remember if you get a 2:2

• Celebrate your achievement, focus on what you do have, not on what you don’t!
• Realise that you are not alone, 76,210 of students who graduated from a UK University in 2018, were awarded a 2:2 (HESA).
• Reflect upon the fact that although it is true that some recruiters will only accept candidates with a 2:1 there are many employers with more flexible entry criteria. You may have to rethink your next step, it may take a little longer to arrive at your goal but there are still interesting and rewarding opportunities available to you.
• Research those recruiters who will consider applicants with a 2:2.

Who will consider applicants with a 2:2?

Lots of employers with graduate schemes will consider applicants with a 2:2. Remember to look at all of the business areas, one graduate strand may well require a 2:1 but others with the same employer, may be less demanding: 

• Jaguar Land Rover Careers has opportunities with a 2:2
• Network Rail will look at a 2:2 for their General Management Scheme for graduates
• Enterprise Rent-a-Car Careers state 'A Bachelor’s degree preferred'
• Ernst & Young Careers, one of the 'Big 4' professional services companies, states '…we don’t screen out any graduate applications purely on the basis of academic performance'
• Barratt Homes state that a 2:2 in any discipline could open up their ASPIRE Programme
• npower jobs ask for 'Minimum of a 2:2 degree' for their Business Transformation Graduate Programme

Possibilities in the public sector

• HMRC ask for a 2:2 in the entry criteria for their Graduate Programme (Tax Professional)
• NHS offers six specialisms, including Finance Management and Policy and Strategy, within their Graduate Management Training Scheme, accessible with a 2:2

The details above offer some options to explore. You can find lots more information about employers who will consider a 2:2 on websites. Target Jobs has information on how to job hunt if you get a 2:2 when you graduate.

Other options if you get a 2:2

The majority of graduates, whatever the class of their degree, do not join formal graduate schemes. A large number go to work for SMEs (Small/Medium Enterprises) employing under 250 people. In the UK more than 14 million people work for one. 

They offer interesting and rewarding roles and are often more flexible in their entry requirements. However, as they do not have the recruitment budgets and high profiles of the large recruiters you may have to be more pro-active when searching for opportunities, so: 

• Make sure you register with Careers Connect; you can specify the sector/location/role you would like to be notified of
• Keep an eye on local and regional press and look at SME vacancies on sites such as Guardian Jobs: SME jobs
• Network, talk to family, friends and neighbours and use Social Media, in particular LinkedIn

Identify companies that interest you and make a speculative application, Careers Network can advise you on how to approach an employer, so book an appointment and come and see us:

• Get careers advice

What else can you offer?

Always remember that there is more to you than your degree, your personal skills, qualities and attributes are also important. Employers recruit a person not a qualification. They want candidates who can demonstrate the skills they require through participation in internships and work experience, volunteering or involvement in student clubs and societies, so: 

• Make sure that your CV does you justice. Careers Network can help you create a persuasive, marketing document that makes an impact.
• Build upon your experience and gather new evidence showing your skills in action. Consider a Graduate Internship, a great way to earn, make contacts and gain experience. Check out Graduate Talent Pool and Inspiring Interns for UK wide positions. Watch out for our own exclusive Impact Internships; you can apply for an opportunity to support a local Social Enterprise or Start Up business for up to two years after graduation.

Should you consider postgraduate study?

There are lots of good reasons for considering further study: passion for a subject, desire to enhance skills and knowledge, the excitement and stimulation of a new challenge and we can help with everything from applications to funding Considering Further Study. 

You may decide to gain an additional qualification to improve your chances of success in the job market but if this is your only reason for thinking about further study do research the entry criteria of the graduate scheme that attracts you carefully. Make sure that your chances will be improved and your employability enhanced, before committing time, money and energy. If in doubt, come and talk it over with an adviser:

• Get careers advice