Hey, don't stress too much- there are two ESRC funded students on the same team as me in our department who got 2.1s, and there are probably others within the department too! If you can get a first, great, if you just miss it, I really wouldn't worry about it too much. As far as I can tell there are more funded PhD students out there with 2.1s (and yes, even 2.2s!) than firsts anyway. Just get a good masters in the subject you want to do your PhD in, and make some decent contacts with researchers whilst you're doing it. Most people I know managed to get their funding at the same department they did their masters through making a good impression and making contacts. You'll be fine! KB