I’ve been working for 2 years — will this work experience help me get into a top UK university even if my CGPA is slightly low?
Yes, work experience can definitely improve your chances of getting into a top UK university, especially for professional or career-oriented master’s programs like MBA, Management, Data Science, or Engineering Management.
If your CGPA is slightly below the preferred range, relevant and impactful work experience — such as leading projects, working with well-known companies, or having niche technical expertise — can strengthen your profile. Strong references from employers, a well-written statement of purpose (SOP) highlighting your achievements, and clear career goals also make a difference.
Many UK universities takes into account the overall profile to assess your skills, professional achievements, leadership potential, career progression and a compelling personal statement stating genuine reasons for low CGPA.
However, this varies by university and program — some universities place more weight on academic grades, whereas many other top-ranked universities balance academics with professional experience.
Contact Degreewisdom to get to know the list of UK universities and programs where strong work experience can offset a lower CGPA so you know where you stand the best chance.
