Hi, I have a PhD and a first class honours BSc. in a biological sciences subject from a London University. I have three years post-doctoral experience at a good university. I have decided that I want to move out of research and into consulting and am applying to various companies with the graduate scheme. However, with 300 UCAS points (instead of the specified 320/340) I am finding that my applications are quickly being rejected by HR – does any one have any advice on how I can combat this (I've already tried reasoning but it doesn't work)? My A-levels were completed 9 years ago. Thanks

Easy - b*gger the grad schemes and apply for jobs via the conventional routes (i.e. see advert, respond to it). You don't want to be put in the same cohort as a bunch of kids 4 years younger than you anyway, do you?

Well for a start you are no longer considered as a graduate, you have to be graduated within 2 years of your degree to be entered in a grad scheme...... Just a thought

Yeh he's right.... 2 years precisely is the policy