The latest figures released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show a slight improvement in graduate employment outcomes over last year.
Within six months of graduating, 86% of 2009/10 UK leavers of higher education were either working or in further study, and 9% (down from 10% in 2008/9) were unemployed. Average salaries were unchanged at £19,000 (median) and £20,000 (mean).
Recent trends
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released in January this year showed graduate unemployment hit a 15 year high between July and September 2010. The latest figures (from HESA) are from later in the year and show a small improvement. However, graduate unemployment is still above pre-recession figures – it was below 6% for 2006/07 HE leavers.
% Full-time first degree leavers unemployed 6 months after graduation
There are also significant variations across the UK with graduates from London and Northern Ireland likely to have the greatest difficulty finding work.
Unemployment by subject
Unemployment rates for graduates varied between subjects, ranging from those which have traditionally low rates of unemployment, such as Medicine & Dentistry (approximately 0%), Veterinary Science 4% and Education 5% to 13% for Mass Communications (including Media Studies) and 14% for Computer Science.
% Full-time first degree leavers unemployed 6 months after graduation
University or work?
Graduate unemployment may have hit a high last year but 16 and 17 year old jobseekers are still more than twice as likely to be unemployed. However, there has been an increase this year in good work-based learning alternatives for those with A Levels or equivalent qualifications.
The apprenticeship expansion has resulted in more Advanced (Level 3) and Higher (Level 4) Apprenticeships in Creative & Digital Media and IT. With media and IT graduates being amongst the most likely to be unemployed this makes the choice at 18/19 a serious one. Many finance and engineering employers have also been recruiting 18 and 19 year old school and college leavers in recent years but this year a third more are thinking about it (according to research by the Association of Graduates Recruiters).
In some cases these opportunities include university study on a part-time basis – so it may not be a choice between going to university or not, but whether as full-time student or part-time as an employee.
Trevor Bottomley
Employment & Labour Market Adviser
Central London Connexions
August 2011
The latest figures released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show a slight improvement in graduate employment outcomes over last year.
Within six months of graduating, 86% of 2009/10 UK leavers of higher education were either working or in further study, and 9% (down from 10% in 2008/9) were unemployed. Average salaries were unchanged at £19,000 (median) and £20,000 (mean).
Recent trends
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released in January this year showed graduate unemployment hit a 15 year high between July and September 2010. The latest figures (from HESA) are from later in the year and show a small improvement. However, graduate unemployment is still above pre-recession figures – it was below 6% for 2006/07 HE leavers.
% Full-time first degree leavers unemployed 6 months after graduation
There are also significant variations across the UK with graduates from London and Northern Ireland likely to have the greatest difficulty finding work.
Unemployment by subject
Unemployment rates for graduates varied between subjects, ranging from those which have traditionally low rates of unemployment, such as Medicine & Dentistry (approximately 0%), Veterinary Science 4% and Education 5% to 13% for Mass Communications (including Media Studies) and 14% for Computer Science.
% Full-time first degree leavers unemployed 6 months after graduation
University or work?
Graduate unemployment may have hit a high last year but 16 and 17 year old jobseekers are still more than twice as likely to be unemployed. However, there has been an increase this year in good work-based learning alternatives for those with A Levels or equivalent qualifications.
The apprenticeship expansion has resulted in more Advanced (Level 3) and Higher (Level 4) Apprenticeships in Creative & Digital Media and IT. With media and IT graduates being amongst the most likely to be unemployed this makes the choice at 18/19 a serious one. Many finance and engineering employers have also been recruiting 18 and 19 year old school and college leavers in recent years but this year a third more are thinking about it (according to research by the Association of Graduates Recruiters).
In some cases these opportunities include university study on a part-time basis – so it may not be a choice between going to university or not, but whether as full-time student or part-time as an employee.
Trevor Bottomley
Employment & Labour Market Adviser
Central London Connexions
August 2011