Second Post

 i have been looking at the graduate jobs  via milk round for a number of weeks now and i have noticed that most of them have a 2:1 standard and around 250-300 ucas points. I should find out in next week or so if i have a first class degree or a 2:1 but i only have around 180 ucas points with the key skills as education never interested me when doing my alevels.  I am doing an MSc this September but i still feel that most of the companies  are expecting more from my A-levels. I am wondering how important the ucas points are when looking for graduate for jobs and do you recommend resitting them ?

Sadly not an expert in these matters but it would be my humble opinion that the resits would not be deemed necessary.  Though they will of course take note of your A Level scores, the application form and the interview stages will both allow plenty of space to explain the reasons for the difference between achievements at the differing levels.  I wish you all the best with your application :)

for a number of graduate schemes, especially the big ones, they won't consider your application if you do not meet their minimum criteria, which will often be 300 ucas points. in some cases you won;t be able to even apply as the pre-screening on ucas point will filter you out. in these cases you will need to go for those roles that do not expect a lot from your a-levels but more on your experience. this is why they say that a-levels are really importnant and the lower your grades are and the less qualifications you have, the more limits you will faces for certain roles.

I am a 2008 2.1 degree graduate with 280 UCAS points. In my final year I was able to apply for most graduate schemes. Now I can barely apply for schemes listed here because the UCAS points tariffs for a number of schemes has increased sufficiently to price me out of the market. I have various work experience, IT skills, but my question is this, where are graduates supposed to turn when the majority of the graduate recruiting firms cut out/ignore students with lower than expected UCAS points?

I see UCAS points along with degree classifications,as being another way for firms to limit the amount of graduate applications.

really how can i convert my Olevels to UCAS points please

UCAS do not endorse the use of UCAS Tariff points for any other purpose other than for entry to higher education. However, many higher education performance indicators use Tariff points in their calculations. There is also evidence that some employers consider Tariff scores for recruitment, but UCAS Tariff points are designed to reflect utility for progression to a higher level of study and are not an appropriate measure of employability.

The above is a direct lift from the UCAS website. If this is the case why do employers use UCAS points as an indicator. I have been out of education for 6 years and my UCAS points equal 270. I expect to get at least a 2:1 in the degree I am currently studying for, and still work full-time whilst completing my degree. Yet I'll miss out on many graduate places. This angers me more when I look at the calibre of students that will be able to apply, and whom I constantly end up having to support when engaged in group coursework.

Surely the skills gained during what would be nearly 8 years working (as a police officer), would equal any UCAS points or at least contribute. If I obtain a better degree than someone who has more UCAS points, surely that would mean UCAS points become relevant. The argument of historically achieving good results would become irrelevant as it seems the assumption is those with high UCAS get the best degree results would not be true.

As a perfect example as to how stupid using UCAS points is towards determining employability. My partners sister will complete her PHd this year. Based on the UCAS requirements that some employers are asking for, she would not pass through the first stage as she only obtained 220 UCAS! How does that work?