Press release 151 - Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09

 

RELEASE:

09:30 hours
Tuesday 17
August 2010

HESA Destinations of Leavers from HE Institutions 2008/09 reveals

More first degree graduates entering further study

The HESA reference volume Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09 is published today. The publication provides detailed results of the Destinations of Leavers from HE survey, which asks graduates what they are doing six months after graduation.

When compared with last year's statistics, the publication shows that fewer graduates entered employment, more went into further study, and a higher proportion were unemployed.

UK domicile first degree leavers by activity
Activity 2007/08 2008/09
Work only 135180 63.4% 133220 61.3%
Work and further study 17850 8.4% 17930 8.2%
Further study only 30940 14.5% 34740 16.0%
Assumed to be unemployed 17360 8.1% 20120 9.3%
Not available for employment 9175 4.3% 8625 4.0%
Other 2760 1.3% 2710 1.2%
Total 213270 100.0% 217345 100.0%
Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2007/08 and 2008/09

Of those first degree graduates who entered employment (including those both working and studying), fewer entered full-time paid work, while more entered part-time employment or unpaid work. The proportion who were self employed also rose from 2007/08 to 2008/09.

UK domicile first degree leavers entering employment* by employment circumstances
Employment circumstances 2007/08 2008/09
Employed full-time in paid work 118475 77.4% 107890 71.4%
Employed part-time in paid work 25410 16.6% 32240 21.3%
Self-employed/freelance 5720 3.7% 6130 4.1%
Voluntary work/other unpaid work 3425 2.2% 4895 3.2%
Total 153035 100.0% 151150 100.0%
* see note 4. Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2007/08 and 2008/09

Of those first degree graduates who entered further study (including those both working and studying), a higher proportion were studying for postgraduate qualifications. The proportion of graduates studying for professional qualifications fell from 2007/08 to 2008/09.

UK domicile first degree leavers who entered further study* by qualification aim
Qualification aim 2007/08 2008/09
Higher degree by research 3650 7.5% 4370 8.3%
Higher degree by taught course 16085 33.0% 19790 37.6%
Postgraduate diploma or certificate 11370 23.3% 11360 21.6%
First degree 2455 5.0% 2590 4.9%
Other diploma or certificate 2475 5.1% 2490 4.7%
Professional qualification 8395 17.2% 7265 13.8%
Other qualification 2905 6.0% 2940 5.6%
Not aiming for a qualification 1455 3.0% 1865 3.5%
Total 48790 100.0% 52670 100.0%
* see note 4. Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2007/08 and 2008/09

The HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09 reference volume provides detailed coverage of the DLHE survey results, including analysis of data by mode and level of study completed, further study after graduation, and industrial and occupational classification of employment.

Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09 is available for purchase from http://www.hesa.ac.uk/pubs or by calling +44 (0) 1242 211155.

 

Notes for Editors

  1. Press enquiries should be directed to:

    HESA Press Office
    01242 211120
    pressoffice@hesa.ac.uk
    95 Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1HZ.

  2. In the above data 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5. Percentages are calculated on un-rounded numbers.

  3. Numbers and percentages in the tables above include both full and part-time first degree qualifiers, but exclude those who explicitly refused to give information.

  4. * ‘Employment' includes those in both employment and further study. ‘Further study' also includes those in both employment and further study.

  5. Details about the HESA DLHE survey can be found on this web page: http://www.hesa.ac.uk/c08018

  6. Data for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is available on request.

  7. HESA cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived from the data by third parties.

  8. Definitions of the terms used in this press release can be found here: http://www.hesa.ac.uk/stats/defs/dlhe/0809

ENDS