Top 10 Scholarships for Second Class Lower (2.2) Graduates

Graduating with a second class lower degree could be very discouraging. Beyond the difficulty in getting a job, the general perception of graduates with a 2.2 is that they were unserious students; which is not always the case.

How about the headache of getting accepted to study a Masters or even getting a scholarship? Quite frankly, getting a scholarship with 2:2 grade is hard to find. But if we don’t dig them up for you, who will?

So cheer up! We’ve rummaged the web to find scholarship opportunities you can take a shot at with a 2:2 grade point.

Here we go with the top 10.

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 of either first or upper second class classification, or lower second class classification plus a relevant postgraduate qualification.

What this means if you hold a 2:2 and have undertaken a masters degree, you will be eligible apply for second masters 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), International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam (the Netherlands), 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 Bachelors 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 honor or international equivalent. Benefits include a £12,000 grant to qualifying international students.

4. DeVry University International Postgraduate Scholarship.

As regards 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 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

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 specified 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

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 ISS Hardship Fund. Both funds are open for international and Dutch holders for 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. However, 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 programmes. 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 a £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.

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.