Papa Tiger is currently unemployed, and is applying for jobs far and wide. So here’s his question:
On British job vacancy announcements the education requirements state things like: “You will have an Engineering Degree or equivalent (typically 2.1 or higher) or Masters”. What do they mean by 2.1 or higher?
Can anyone explain this? Thanks!
A First (1) is the highest, then there’s 2.1, 2.2. and down to 3, and ‘ungraded’ meaning a basic degree.
2.1 is a very good degree.
It depends on the final score of your degree
Pass=40-45%
3=45-50%
2.3=50-55%
2.2=55-60%
2.1=60-70%
1=70-100%
A 2:1 is an Upper Second Class Honours Degree. Degrees here are divided into classes:
First Class Honours, a ‘First’ - top marks, generally regarded as proof of cleverness.
Upper Second Class, a ‘2:1’ - pretty good, holder is unlikely to be stupid.
Lower Second Class, a ‘2:2’ - yer average university graduate.
Third Class, a ‘Third’ - acceptable on a resumé, but you wouldn’t brag about it.
Pass - thick.
Some employers will draw the line at 2:1s, possibly because so many people have 2:2s (commonly known as ‘Desmonds’, after the South African archbishop).
Thanks, all! That’s exactly the info he needed. I appreciate the help.
Or severely unmotivated. I am not ‘thick’.
P.s. thanks for confirming that there is no such grade as 2.3 
A 2.2 is sometimes called a *Desmond * - you work it out 
I’m sorry if I offended you. If it’s any consolation, I didn’t even get a Pass.
Nah, you didn’t offend me.
I console myself by remembering that I got the highest mark in the whole year (not just class) for one of my programming assignments.
I was there for the programming. unfortunately for me there’s a heck of a lot more to Software Engineering than programming.
<sigh> If only I could convince my colleagues of that.
a Geoff (Hurst) is good - could be great depending on the university a Geoff from some of the polyversities is worse than a Thora (Hurd) from one of the top grade Unis.
Hope that helps.
Owl - Proud possesor of A Geoff in History that has been absolutely no use whatsoever in the real world.