You can still reach postgraduate study and funding with a third class degree, but fewer doors are open and the first barrier is usually the university, not the scholarship. Most scholarships for study in the UK expect you to qualify for a master’s place first. UK universities typically ask for a 2:1, many accept a 2:2, and a third class degree is considered only in some cases, usually when the application shows strong work experience, a clear explanation for the grade, or extra study such as a pre-master’s course. This guide shows what two major schemes say about degree class and gives seven practical steps to make a scholarship with a third class degree a realistic goal.
What two major scholarships say about degree class
| Scholarship | Degree rule | Other key rules |
|---|---|---|
| Chevening (UK government, one-year master’s) | An undergraduate degree that qualifies you for a UK master’s programme. The eligibility page does not set a class of its own, so the course you choose decides | At least two years of work experience (2,800 hours) after your undergraduate degree, a commitment to return home for two years, three course choices with an unconditional offer from at least one by the deadline |
| Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships (UK, for eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries) | A 2:1, or a 2:2 together with a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a master’s degree | Applications go through national nominating bodies, and the Commission does not normally fund a second UK master’s degree |
The pattern is clear. Some schemes leave the grade to the university, and others write a minimum into their own rules. A third class degree alone does not meet the Commonwealth requirement, and under Chevening it works only if a UK university will admit you to a master’s course. Read the official eligibility page of each scheme before you plan around it.
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Seven practical steps
1. Read the degree rule before you read the prize
List each scholarship you like and write down its degree rule, its work experience rule and its deadline. Remove any scheme that requires a 2:1 or a first class degree and offers no route for lower grades. This saves months of effort and application fees.
2. Choose universities with realistic entry rules
Entry requirements for taught master’s courses vary by university and by course. Some universities set a general minimum of a 2:2, and some courses ask for a 2:1. Third class applicants should look for courses that describe flexible or holistic admissions and contact the admissions office with a short summary of their profile before paying any application fee.
3. Build relevant work experience
Work experience is the strongest way to balance a low grade, and Chevening makes it a firm requirement. Full-time and part-time jobs, voluntary work and paid or unpaid internships can all count toward the 2,800 hours. Keep dated records of every role, your hours and the results you delivered, because both universities and scholarship panels ask for evidence.
4. Improve your academic record
A postgraduate certificate or diploma often has slightly lower entry requirements than a full master’s, and some can be upgraded to a master’s degree after you complete them. Some universities also run top-up courses that can convert an ordinary degree into an honours degree if you meet the credit requirements. Check that any scholarship you want will accept the new qualification.
5. Consider a pre-master’s pathway
A pre-master’s programme is built for students who do not qualify for direct entry because of their grades or qualifications. Some UK pathway providers list a bachelor’s degree with third class honours as an accepted entry requirement for a one-term pre-master’s, and successful students then move on to the partner university’s master’s course. Fees, progression grades and English test scores differ by provider, so compare them before you commit. Our guide to UK universities with pre-master’s programmes explains how these courses work.
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6. Explain your grade without making excuses
Admissions teams usually want a clear reason for a lower grade and proof that you are ready for postgraduate study. Write a short, factual explanation, then spend most of your statement on what you have achieved since: professional results, certifications, research or project work, and community or leadership roles. Ask referees who know your recent work to write your references.
7. Match scholarships to your real profile and prepare the documents
Apply for schemes where your degree, work history and country all fit the written rules, and keep a second group of options with lower requirements such as university awards and country-specific funds. For Chevening, prepare your official degree certificate, because transcripts are not accepted, and two reference letters in English.
Mistakes that waste a year
- Assuming that a holistic review means your grade does not matter. It matters first at the university stage.
- Applying to Chevening without the required hours of work experience, which is a common reason for rejected applications.
- Choosing three Chevening courses that all have entry requirements above your profile, with no realistic offer.
- Paying an agent for a guaranteed scholarship. No agent controls the decisions of a government scheme or a university.
- Leaving the explanation of your grade out of the application and hoping nobody notices it.
Where to go next
- Follow the full process in how to apply for scholarships as a Nigerian student.
- Compare lower-cost options in cheap universities abroad and how to find low tuition.
- Look at scholarships for international students in Switzerland.
- See low-tuition universities in Iceland for master’s and PhD study.
- Plan the permit stage with the step-by-step guide to applying for a UK visa from overseas.
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