Low dissertation grade but high overall 2:1

[lalaboppbopp]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if my chances for a TC at a MC/SC firm are over. I got my dissertation results back and it was a 2:2, however the rest of my transcript was strong enough to pull through, and my overall wasn’t impacted too much so i still graduate with a 68 overall. However does the 2:2 in that one module eliminate my chances of a TC despite my high overall?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi @lalaboppbopp

I really just want to emphasise something that I've said many times on the forum: one or two module results are highly unlikely to be a deal breaker for magic circle or US firm. This is perhaps especially true in your case, given how well you did overall in your degree. If you think there are any mitigating circumstances that can explain why the dissertation mark was generally lower than your other module results, then feel free to flag those in your application form. However, I would not use the result on this as a reason to self-exclude or not apply to such firms. So many great candidates assume they don’t stand a chance because of a few module results, when that’s not necessarily true.

Please do apply to MC and US firms! Best of luck with your applications!

 

[LaDiva]

Hi @lalaboppbopp

I really just want to emphasise something that I've said many times on the forum: one or two module results are highly unlikely to be a deal breaker for magic circle or US firm. This is perhaps especially true in your case, given how well you did overall in your degree. If you think there are any mitigating circumstances that can explain why the dissertation mark was generally lower than your other module results, then feel free to flag those in your application form. However, I would not use the result on this as a reason to self-exclude or not apply to such firms. So many great candidates assume they don’t stand a chance because of a few module results, when that’s not necessarily true.

Please do apply to MC and US firms! Best of luck with your applications!

Thank you!! I wrote a similar thread to OP, and coincidentally also achieved 68 overall, but for first year results. My eyesore was a 3rd though, 45 😱, reading the marker's comments I will definitely challenge this but it clearly felt like a massive set back

 

[albertloren]

I wouldn’t overthink a single lower mark, especially when your overall average is still strong. Recruiters at MC/US firms always look at the full academic profile, not one “outlier” module. A 2:2 or even a 3rd in a single component usually matters far less than consistency, commercial awareness, and how well you can explain the context behind the grade.

If you genuinely feel the mark doesn’t reflect the quality of your work, then it’s absolutely fair to challenge it or request clarification. A lot of students don’t realize how normal grade discrepancies are, especially with dissertations or research-heavy modules. During my final year, I also had to ask for feedback and support on structuring arguments, something similar to this law dissertation help approach I used here, and the clarity I got from understanding where I went wrong made a big difference in later applications.

The key point is: one bad module doesn’t erase your potential. If the overall trajectory is solid (which it is in your case), firms will still take your application seriously. Focus on the bigger picture and make sure your applications highlight your strengths, not the one mark that dipped.