million+ welcomes latest data on the destination of the class of 2004/5
Commenting on the Higher Education Statistics Agency Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions Longitudinal Survey Report published today (Thursday), Pam Tatlow Chief Executive of million+ said, “Assessing what graduates are doing and what they are earning three and half years after graduation rather than 6 months after is a much better measure of the benefits of studying for a degree. This survey confirms that the median salary of graduates increased and that there were high levels of employment with only 2.6% assessed as being unemployed. Many graduates also stay in the region or country in which they have studied adding important skills and intellectual capital to their local economy.
“The survey does reveal that a gender pay gap kicks in spite of graduate qualifications with a larger proportion of men in higher salary jobs and women working part-time earning £3000 per year less than part-time men. Black graduates also have higher unemployment rates three and half years after graduation and this certainly requires further research.
“Overall, these statistics and the very high satisfaction rates of graduates confirm the continuing importance of Government investment in higher education and the value of graduate qualifications to individuals, society and the economy.”
The survey showed that:
- 76.1% of respondents were in full-time paid employment, up from 60.8% when first surveyed six months after graduation.
- 88.9% of respondents were in some kind of employment (including part-time employment and those combining work and further study) 3 years after graduation
- The median salary of UK domicile full-time first degree leavers from 2004/05 who were in full-time paid employment in the UK on 24 November 2008 was £24,000 pa.
- Most leavers (86.9%) were satisfied with their career to date with 47.6% saying they were fairly satisfied and 39.3% saying they were very satisfied.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- million+ is a leading university think-tank, working to solve the complex problems in higher education. www.millionplus.ac.uk
- The Career progression of 2004/05 graduates report from HESA can be found here www.hesa.ac.uk/index.php
- For more information please contact Gemma Tumelty Public Affairs Officer on 0207 7171655 or 07900 277819