“Ps get degrees” (a “P” is a passing grade) is a saying used mostly in Australia. If you pass, you get a degree. However, some people do not like the saying and insist that good grades do matter—that simply passing is not enough.
 
“P’s get degrees” has been cited in print since at ;east 2001.
   
 
lpkane.com
p’s get degrees | - 10.30.2001
(im only posting this because the fp is the only place where i can outpost mark)
p’s get degrees is a saying im sure any uni / college student is familiar with and it would sum up my entire attitude towards my own tertiary education. why work hard for a distinction when all you need is a pass, and with my rather relaxed attitude so far, i’ve still managed to have a gpa of 2.75 (3 credits (just) and a pass.)
       
Google Books
Only a Mother Could Love Him:
My Life with and Triumph Over ADD
By Benjamin Polis
Henley Beach, S. Aust.: Seaview Press
2004
Pg. 116:
The most important thing I ever learned in college was this: Ps get degrees! Meaning il you pass, you get a degree, and that’s what you go to college for.
 
Whirlpool.net (Australia) Forums
Uni life
erotic sock
posted 2004-Dec-11, 4:26 pm
A lot of people enjoy the saying “Ps get degrees”, referring to pass marks being all you need. While this may be true, simply having a degree doesn’t necessarily get you a job. Every person applying for a job in your prospective industry will have a degree; what will set you apart are your marks.
(...)
^Ian^
posted 2004-Dec-12, 8:59 am
Firstly it’s important to note, there are 3 types of uni students.
 
The first type, are those who are along for the ride. They don’t study, miss lectures, almost never attend tutes, and get the marks they deserve. They’ll be the person that drops the ball in group assignments, and in general, whilst they might think they’re smart / funny/ humerous, do not make friends with these people.. These are the “Ps get the degrees” students, although the majority of them tend to scrape through.
   
allnurses
So… How important are grades… really?
Apr 9, ‘05 by Sirius Black
I’ve heard a ‘saying’ around uni “p’s get degrees”. Although it’s true, after graduating and going for job ask yourself this … who would be more likely to get the job - the graduate with a Pass/credit average or the one with a distinction + average??
 
Aussie Stock Forums
Entry level finance positions?
MRC & Co
5th-June-2008, 02:42 AM
do firms take notice of one’s grades either at uni or getting ones diploma(s)
 
just wondering…what are people’s gpa’s on here??
 
cheers in advance
 
It’s funny, everyone at Uni says “Ps get degrees”, but mark my words, WORK YOUR AZZ OFF AND GET THE BEST GRADES YOU CAN!!!!! Some firms won’t even look at you if you have less than a credit averge, others will not give you a second glance if you have less than distinction average (this is right where I ended up, scraping a distinction average after being very lazy). Get’s me into most interview rooms, but some still only want the HD averages!
   
Twitter
Sarah Kahn
‏@aarahkahak
@scoutee Ps get degrees!
12:31 PM - 23 Sep 2008
 
Twitter
Ian Blekkenhorst
‏@IanBlekkenhorst
Pearl of wisdom of the day: “Ps get degrees, but won’t get you a good job. Good luck being employed if you only Pass units” #realworld
10:07 AM - 27 Sep 2012
   
theMediaPod
The ABCs of surviving (and thriving) in a PR degree
Posted on December 9, 2013 by Alison Coffa
A – Aim high. The phrase ‘Ps get degrees’ gets thrown around a lot at university. While it’s true you can technically graduate by simply scraping through each of your subjects, you will set yourself up for a better theoretical knowledge and practical understanding if you knuckle down and do some reading every now and then. It will also help you keep on the good side of your tutors and lecturers. Making yourself noticed among a cohort of 100+ students can be difficult, so having a faculty staff member recognise your efforts can be a huge bonus.
 
Business Spectator (Australia)
Ten business-savvy Australians who found success without a degree
DAVID SIBENALER
August 8, 2014
There’s an old adage in university circles that ‘Ps’ (a passing grade) get degrees. Yet it would seem that degrees don’t necessarily get you jobs.