Is it possible to improve my degree after graduating?

Question

I graduated with a 2:2 but most recruiters require a 2:1 or above.. is there any way to upgrade my degree standard?

Answer 1

Not to my knowledge, no. Once you have that degree, that's what recruiters of that type are relying upon. However, there's nothing to say that, after you've worked a year or two, you can't do a postgraduate course somewhere. If you do quite well in that graduate work, future recruiters will be taking that into account.

But not all recruiters want a 2:1 or above, and in fact, not all recruiters even care what you did in terms of honours. You'll want to focus on those recruiters.

But even for those who want a 2:1 or above, if it's the case where, say, it was your grades in your first year at uni that were not strong, and they got stronger later on, then that is in your favour, and you should highlight that. If you can find some sort of pattern in your grades - certain are very, very strong, but this one certain set of courses were less strong, and the recruiter is recruiting for your strongly graded area, then that can work out for you. You'll have to spin it.

Speak to the careers counsellor at your university. They should be able to give you some very focused advice on which employers to target, and how. After all, the vast majority of university graduates in the UK get a 2:2, not a 2:1 or higher, and they're working *somewhere* right now, and very successfully. You just need to find those recruiters for whom this isn't such an issue.