Graduating with a physiotherapy degree means being eligible to apply for your Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration regardless of your degree classification.

When applying for jobs, rather than asking for proof of qualification (e.g. certificate), your employer will ask for your HCPC number because you need to have passed the degree in order to obtain your HCPC registration.

Does it even matter?

This is a matter of individual preference and what motivates you. Becoming obsessed with grades can result in a loss of focus and have an impact on other areas of our lives not to mention being extremely stressful.

This can lead to burnout and an inadvertent impact on results due to the self-induced stress and pressure we place on ourselves - an unhealthy and unrealistic way to spend your time at university.

Does getting a 1st mean you're a better physio?

No. I have seen no clear link between achieving a 1st and being a good physio. I have seen very successful physio's in the NHS, private practice, and professional sport who did not get a 1st. You need to be able to do the job and instill confidence in patients that you can help them. Patients buy-in to your personality and how you make them feel, being good exams alone won't achieve this.

How does a good degree classification help?

It depends. On one hand it could mean you have a more in-depth understanding with a stronger clinically reasoning or your ability to critically evaluate research may be more refined. However, it could also mean that you're better at writing or taking exams but not so good when it actually comes to doing the job with real patients.

Avoid comparing yourself to others

Everyone is different and the most important thing to focus on whilst at university is to become the very best physiotherapist you can be at that stage of your journey. Some will find and sharpen their clinical skills sooner than others but it is not a measure of success.

There is so much to learn and so many people to learn from. Grasp all the opportunities, experiences, and ideas you can. Learning from others and through direct experience will not only help you throughout your degree but also when you qualify as a physiotherapist and work with patients.

When is a degree classification important?

There are times where your degree classification is important. For example, if you're looking to complete post-graduate courses (PgCert, PgDip), a masters (MSc) or a PhD. University entry requirements for the respective course may stipulate that you must have achieved at least a 2:1 or above, although I have seen some that accept a 2:2 so its important to check the entry requirements section or contact the university admissions team if you're unsure.

Placement

In my experience, the most important time not to focus on grades is on placement. Typically, placements are graded in the same way assignments and practical exams are, however, some universities may opt to take a Pass/Fail approach for one or more placements and require students to submit a piece of written work at the end of the placement which determines your mark for the module overall. The reason for this is due to some students feeling they couldn't ask their educator questions as it may affect their grade and whilst there have been instances where this has occurred, it is down to a difficult educator with unrealistic expectations.

When out on placement, it is vital that you take and reflect upon the feedback you receive from your educator. It is an opportunity to learn put things into practice. Focus on how much experience you can get to make you a better clinician and improve your interactions with patients.

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