Graduating with a second-class lower degree can be quite discouraging. It can be difficult to get a job because most employers demand a higher grade. The general perception of graduates with a second-class lower degree is that they are unserious students, which is not always the case.
There’s the headache of getting accepted to study for a master’s degree or even a scholarship. Quite frankly, getting a scholarship with a 2:2 grade is more difficult. But if we don’t find them for you, who will?
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So cheer up!
We’ve rummaged through the web to find scholarship opportunities you can take a shot at with a second-class grade point. So sit back and let’s give you a rundown of 10 scholarships for second-class lower graduates. This post was also published as a video on our YouTube channel, After School TV. Subscribe to After School TV to continue exploring opportunities and watching other videos like this below:
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Table of Contents
1. Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme
The Commonwealth shared scholarship scheme allows students from Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK to benefit from graduate study at a university in the UK. The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are offered annually for master’s study.
You must hold a first degree in either the first or upper second class classification or the lower second class classification plus a relevant postgraduate qualification. What this means is that if you hold a 2:2 and have undertaken a master’s degree, you will be eligible to apply for a second master’s degree on scholarship.
2. Erasmus Mundus Masters Program in Public Policy (MAPP) Scholarships
Mundus MAPP is a two-year-long international joint Masters program in Public Policy, offered by four top-ranked European institutions: Central European University, Budapest (Hungary), the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam (the Netherlands), the Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals (Spain) and the University of York (UK). Established in 2007, the program operates as an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Program funded by the European Commission. For all tracks of the program, candidates need to have a bachelor’s degree with at least class 2.2 (lower second class) or equivalent.
3. Brunel University NSIRC Scholarships
Brunel University, a public university in the UK, awards scholarships to EU and non-EU students who wish to have a Masters in the fields of structural integrity or oil and gas engineering. The scholarship is open to all students with a minimum of 2.2 UK honors or international equivalent. Benefits include a £12,000 grant to qualifying international students.
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4. DeVry University International Postgraduate Scholarship
For the DeVry scholarship, award amounts are tiered according to student GPA and enrollment status (half-time, three-quarter time, or full-time). The higher the cumulative grade point average (CPGA), the larger the award amount may be. Funds may reach as much as $2,500 per semester for full-time enrollment with a 3.25 GPA or higher for the scholarship. Students with a 2.5 – 3.25 GPA may earn up to $2,000 per semester.
5. Masters Scholarships at the University of Bedfordshire
This scholarship scheme funded by the University of Bedfordshire is made in the form of a tuition fee discount. Students holding a four-year bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from a recognized university or tertiary institution with a minimum GPA of 50% or equivalent will be considered for this scholarship. This is a scholarship opportunity for holders of a 2.2 grade point.
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6. PTDF Overseas Scholarships Study in China, Germany, France & Malaysia
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), the Federal Government agency in Nigeria, invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for overseas MSc and PhD Scholarships to institutions under its China, Germany, France & Malaysia strategic partnership initiative. Successful candidates will be awarded scholarships to study in these countries commencing in the next academic session. A minimum of Second Class Upper qualification in their first degree or a Second Class Lower with relevant industry experience is required.
7. ISS Hardship for MA Program in Development
The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) provides financial support to students through its two funds. They include the ISS Scholarship Fund for Excellent Pupils and the ISS Hardship Fund. Both funds are open for international and Dutch holders pursuing an MA program. ISS is an international graduate school of policy-oriented critical social science. Each award is worth 40% of the tuition fee. Applicants must have a minimum of a 2.2 to apply, although applicants with a higher GPA are given more consideration.
8. University of Glasgow School of Geographical and Earth Sciences Scholarships
The University of Glasgow offers scholarships for international students in its School of Geographical and Earth Sciences. Programmes available include Geoinformation Technology & Cartography, Geomatics & Management, Geospatial & Mapping Sciences, Land and Hydrographic Surveying, and Sustainable Water Environments. The scholarship is open to applicants with a minimum of 2.2 in their first degree.
9. Staffordshire programs for international students
Staffordshire University, England, awards financial aid to both undergraduate and postgraduate students who apply for its annual scholarship programs. The scholarship is open to students from Africa, Asia and Europe. Students with a first-class get £2000 financial aid, while those with a second-class lower get £1000 funding. This may not seem like much but any aid you can get as a 2.2 holder is something you should take with both hands.
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10. Australia Awards Scholarship
Australia Awards is a cornerstone of the Australian Government’s development assistance program for Africa. The awards provide access to postgraduate education, training and professional development opportunities for suitably qualified Africans from eligible countries. On their return to the workplace, Australia Awards alumni are expected to contribute actively to development in their home countries. Applicants are expected to hold a minimum of a 3rd class honors with relevant work experience.
Since you are still here, here are two bonuses:
John Thompson MSc Scholarships at Dublin City University in Ireland
The John Thompson Award is open to international students and affords them an opportunity to pursue an MSc program at Dublin City University. Scholarship recipients will be selected on the basis of their application and interview. This scholarship aims to foster links between digital marketing and online journalism by encouraging graduates of business, journalism and more diverse educational backgrounds to study digital marketing integrated with an appreciation of media and online journalism. The bursary offers full fees for a graduate taking DCU’s full-time MSc in Digital Marketing. The scholarship is open to all international students with a minimum of 2.2 honors.
Joint Japan World Bank Group Scholarship Program
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program is open to women and men from developing countries with relevant professional experience who are applying to a master degree program in a development-related topic. Several scholarships are offered each year. The scholarship covers the cost of completing a master’s degree: return air travel, $500 travel allowance, tuition, and the cost of basic medical and accident insurance; a monthly allowance to cover living expenses. The scholarship is for a maximum duration of two years.
Eligible applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree and have 3 years or more of recent development-related work experience after earning a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree. There is no emphasis on the CGPA. So if you have up to 3 years of relevant working experience, a 2:2 qualification may be accepted.
There you have it. The scholarships you could apply for with a second class lower degree. Which of these scholarships would you be applying for? Do you know any other scholarship that accepts 2:2 graduates? Tell us about it in the comment section.
I am a second class lower degree holder I want to acquire ur scholarship n do my master in business administration
Greetings, am a graduate of Quantity Surveying a second class Lower degree holder, please how can I get a well fully funded scholarship to study abroad for my Masters, in project management. Thank you
You guys are doing great work. Thanks.
Good day, thanks for the information on scholarships with second class lower division. How about scholarships that favour 3rd class lower division?.