IT graduate schemes you can apply for with a 2.2 degree

Don’t panic if you end up with a 2.2 in your computing degree or a non-IT subject. Whether you want to become a software developer, tester, cyber security specialist or work in IT support, it’s still perfectly possible to launch a successful career. However, you will have to widen your search beyond the obvious IT companies to find your first role.

Jump to: 2.2 degree jobs in IT, tech and telecoms | 2.2 degree IT jobs in engineering and energy | 2.2 degree IT jobs in investment banking | 2.2 degree IT jobs with other employers | Ready to apply for a graduate IT job? | Look to smaller employers as well | Consider postgraduate study | Mitigating circumstances | A level requirements and getting a graduate IT job

Jobs in IT, technology and telecoms companies with a 2.2 degree

You will be able to apply for these jobs if you have a 2.2 degree:

• Accenture's IT graduate schemes are open to graduates with STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) degrees of all classifications.
• Atos accepts applications from graduates who have completed an undergraduate degree and can demonstrate other relevant academic achievements or work experience.
• FDM Group accepts applications from candidates with a 2.2 at degree or above.
• Sky does not specify a degree classification requirement for its graduate programmes. However, for its software engineering programmes you will need to already have an ability to code using modern web languages.
• ThoughtWorks does not specify a degree classification (or discipline) for most of its graduate programmes, although you'll need to be able to use at least one object-oriented programming (OOP) language if you're applying for a software development role.

IT jobs in engineering and energy companies with a 2.2 degree

Engineering companies are well worth considering for graduate IT jobs if you have a 2.2 degree. Many run IT graduate schemes and you’ll find some big-name employers who aren’t hung up about whether candidates have a 2.1. This includes:

• BAE Systems' graduate IT programmes are open to candidates with 2.2s from a relevant STEM discipline.
• BMW does not state a degree classification requirement for its IT graduate programme.
• Jaguar Land Rover offers several IT streams within its product engineering graduate programme that are open to graduates with a relevant 2.2 STEM degree. Its analytics and digital graduate programmes are also open to graduates with 2.2s.

IT jobs in investment banking with a 2.2 degree

The finance sector employs many IT graduates but most recruiters look for at least a 2.1. However, some, such as audit, tax and consulting services provider RSM (which doesn't specify a degree grade), do run technology and IT graduate programmes that accept 2.2s. Your UCAS points may be taken into account instead.

Other employers who accept 2.2s

Many employers you may not immediately associate with technology will hire graduates into IT roles, so dig about. For example, the UK government’s intelligence agency MI5 accepts graduates with 2.2s in STEM disciplines into its technology roles. Tesco asks for 2.2s or above for its technology graduate programmes.

Head to our IT jobs board to see vacancies on targetjobs. Create your targetjobs graduate profile to receive tailored job opportunities based on your career interests.

Considerations to make when IT job hunting with a 2.2 degree

If you’re not ready to apply for positions just yet, then continue on to the end of the article. Now we’ll provide insight into considerations that you should take into account to improve your chances of securing a graduate IT role.

Don't neglect smaller employers

While many of the large, multinational technology firms are likely to have strict degree requirements, the same is not true for SMEs (small- to medium-sized enterprises). These organisations will typically receive fewer applications and are also likely to offer more opportunities for early responsibility. However, unlike larger organisations, SMEs may not recruit on a yearly basis or offer defined 'graduate schemes', so these opportunities may be harder to find.

You can learn more about starting your graduate career at an SME here.

Enhance your 2.2 with a postgraduate qualification

Employers may be willing to accept a 2.2 at undergraduate level alongside a relevant postgraduate degree course. Studying for a postgraduate qualification will also give you the opportunity to enhance your career prospects in certain areas of work if you select a more specialised postgraduate degree.

Mitigating circumstances and your application

Tech employers that ask for 2.1 degrees may still be willing to consider an applicant with a 2.2 if they have genuine mitigating circumstances for not getting a higher grade. Serious illness and bereavement are examples of mitigating circumstances.

Many application forms will include spaces for applicants to include information about mitigating circumstances alongside their results, but, in other cases, you may have to reach out to recruiters themselves.

A level grades affecting your chances of getting a graduate IT job

A handful of graduate IT employers specify minimum A level grades or UCAS points that candidates need to apply, in addition to a 2.1 degree.

Minimum UCAS or A level requirements can be frustrating if you're on track for a 2.1 and have all the other requirements for the job – particularly if your reasons for not getting top A level grades were because of factors beyond your control, such as illness or bereavement. If there were understandable reasons why you didn’t get the A level grades you were capable of, these may count as mitigating circumstances.

You should contact the employer’s HR or graduate recruitment team and they will be able to advise you on whether and how to apply. This might involve explaining your situation in your covering letter or in the ‘additional information’ box, for example. While some employers will review applications on a case-by-case basis, others might automatically screen you out if you don’t have the minimum UCAS points they have specified.

If you don’t have mitigating circumstances but think you have lots of highly relevant work experience or lots of experience of the technical skills they require, for example, you could contact HR or the graduate recruitment team and see whether they recommend you apply.

Bear in mind that your experience, top university grades or whatever else you are trying to persuade the employer with needs to be exceptional and you need evidence of it.

You must also avoid coming across as over-confident or entitled to a graduate job with them. Plenty of IT employers don’t specify A level grades or UCAS points at all, so it may be a better use of your time to just apply to those employers instead.