Do You Really Need a 2:1 for a Graduate Scheme?

The traditional 2:1 filter

For decades, the "2:1" (Upper Second-Class Honours) was the golden ticket in the UK graduate job market. If you achieved a 2:1 or a First, you were eligible to apply for almost any corporate graduate scheme. If you achieved a 2:2 (Lower Second-Class Honours) or a Third, an eligibility question on the application form would often reject you automatically.

Employers used the 2:1 not because it perfectly predicted a candidate's ability to do the job, but because it was an easy way to filter out thousands of applications.

Today, that landscape is shifting. Employers have realised that arbitrary academic cut-offs filter out massive amounts of diverse, capable talent.

The employers dropping the 2:1 rule

The most significant change in recent years has been driven by the "Big 4" accounting and professional services firms.

EY was first, removing minimum degree classification and UCAS tariff thresholds from its graduate, undergraduate, and school leaver programmes in 2015 (though you still need to hold an honours degree or three A-levels/equivalent). PwC followed in 2022, removing the 2:1 requirement from all of its undergraduate and graduate roles, internships, and placements. Both use their own online assessments and interviews to judge your potential instead of relying on a 2:1 cut-off.

Other employers have moved in the same direction. The Civil Service Fast Stream accepts a 2:2 in any subject for most of its schemes (though some specialist schemes, such as economics and science and engineering, ask for a 2:1). Many retail management schemes and a number of tech employers also accept a 2:2, provided you can pass their online testing stages. Requirements change, so always check the eligibility page for each scheme before ruling yourself out.

How contextual recruitment works

Even if a firm technically asks for a 2:1, they might use contextual recruitment, often through a specialist system such as Rare's Contextual Recruitment System.

This looks at your academic achievements in context, using information you provide on the application form, such as the school you attended, whether you received free school meals, and whether you were the first in your family to go to university. For example, if you achieved ABB at A-level at a school where the average result was much lower, the system flags your grades as an over-performance.

Depending on the employer, this can mean your application is considered even though you fall below the standard cut-off, or it is given extra weight at the screening stage. Answer these optional questions honestly: they can only help you.

Sectors that still demand a 2:1

While the overall trend is moving toward flexibility, certain traditional sectors remain rigid.

Corporate law

Most large City law firms still ask for a 2:1, though many now use contextual recruitment alongside it. See our guide on how to get into law.

Investment banking

Top-tier banks remain highly competitive on academics, and a 2:1 is still the norm for front-office roles.

Specialist engineering and quantitative roles

For highly technical roles, such as aerospace design or quantitative analysis, employers still rely heavily on strong results in specific degree subjects. See our guide on how to get into engineering.

What to do if you get a 2:2

If you achieve a 2:2, you are not locked out of a successful career. You just need to change your strategy.

1. Target flexible schemes

Apply to employers that accept a 2:2, use contextual recruitment, or have dropped the 2:1 rule entirely, such as EY, PwC, and most Civil Service Fast Stream schemes. Our graduate schemes guide covers the main sectors.

2. Pivot to direct-hire graduate jobs

Stop applying to massive corporate schemes and start applying for direct-entry roles at SMEs and startups. A startup hiring a junior marketing executive cares about your portfolio and your hustle, not your degree classification. See our guide on graduate schemes vs graduate jobs.

3. Use the experienced hire route

Work at a smaller company for two years. Once you have commercial experience, most employers care far more about what you have done than your degree classification. You can then apply for "experienced hire" roles at large employers that would not have considered you as a graduate.

4. Network

A personal recommendation can get your application in front of a hiring manager. Attend industry events, message alumni on LinkedIn, and build relationships directly. This works best for graduate jobs at smaller firms; large schemes usually still require you to apply through the standard process.

FAQ

• Should I lie about my grade on the application form?↓

  Should I lie about my grade on the application form?

  Absolutely not. If you are offered a job, the employer will run a background check and ask for your official university transcript. If you lied on the application, they will immediately withdraw the offer for a breach of integrity, regardless of how well you interviewed.

• Does the university I went to matter?↓

  Does the university I went to matter?

  It matters less than it used to. Many large employers now use "university-blind" recruitment, where the university name is hidden from assessors to prevent bias. However, in sectors like investment banking or the Bar, attending a highly selective university can still provide a networking advantage.

• What if I have extenuating circumstances for my 2:2?↓

  What if I have extenuating circumstances for my 2:2?

  If your grades dropped due to a severe illness, a bereavement, or significant caring responsibilities, most large employers have a section on the application form to declare "extenuating circumstances." They will take this into account, and some will consider you even if you fall below their usual grade requirement. If there is no box on the form, contact the recruitment team before you apply.

Next steps

Whether you have a First or a 2:2, passing the online tests is often the real hurdle for modern graduate schemes. Read our guides on psychometric tests and situational judgement tests to prepare.

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