Graduates faring well in job market, says survey

Only 3.2% of graduates, who left higher education in 2008/09, were believed to be unemployed three and a half years later. The most recent unemployment figures showed an unemployment rate of 7.8% for the UK overall and 21.4% for 16-24-year-olds.

UCU said the findings, from the Higher Education Statistics Agency, demonstrated the positive difference education made to people's lives and called for greater investment in both universities and students.
 
UCU president, Simon Renton, said: 'Education is a powerful force for good in our society and provides the best opportunity people have to get on in life. In simple financial terms, people with degrees are more likely to be employed and more likely to earn a better wage. Research also shows that better-educated people are less likely to be involved in crime or a drain on the welfare state.
 
'If we are to ensure that educational opportunities remain open to our best and brightest, we must learn to celebrate and invest in education more in this county. Anyone with the ability must also have the opportunity to pursue whatever course best suits their abilities.'
 
The full HESA survey is available here
More on the latest UK unemployment figures