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Introduction - Destinations of Leavers 2003/04

This publication is one of four reference volumes published annually by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). HESA is a company limited by guarantee, and is owned by the United Kingdom (UK) higher education sector through the representative bodies Universities UK and the Standing Conference of Principals. HESA collects data from publicly funded higher education institutions (HEIs) in the UK on behalf of funding bodies and government departments, in a framework underpinned by legislation.

This volume draws on the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey, which replaced the previous First Destinations Supplement (FDS) for 2002/03, and this is accordingly the second published volume based on DLHE. Strictly speaking, this publication is based on the first phase of DLHE, and provides information about patterns of employment and further study or training at a point about six months after completion. The second phase will be a follow-up survey on a sample basis approximately three years and six months after completion1. All subsequent references to DLHE in this volume relate to the first phase.

The DLHE survey covers leavers from part-time as well as full-time programmes, a major extension relative to FDS. The leavers included in the survey reported in this volume are those who completed their programmes during the academic year 2003/04, that is, the period 1 August 2003 to 31 July 2004. It covers data supplied by 169 HEIs (132 in England, 13 in Wales, 20 in Scotland, 4 in Northern Ireland). The data capture is undertaken by HEIs but the procedure is prescribed by HESA and, with some degree of detailed flexibility, is uniform across all institutions, regardless of size, nature, and location. A standard questionnaire printed by HESA is used.

From 1999/2000, a fixed date, 3 January, was used as the date relating to which information was sought through FDS, and this date was unchanged for 2000/01 and 2001/02. A fixed test date was also used for DLHE in 2002/03, but the date was moved slightly later, to 15 January 2004 , so as to capture as completely as possible both employment and study commencing shortly after the start of the calendar year. For the 2003/04 DLHE return, two reference dates were used: 15 April 2004 for leavers who obtained the qualification between 1 August 2003 and 31 December 2003; and 14 January 2005 for leavers who obtained the qualification between 1 January 2004 and 31 July 2004. It is intended that this pattern will continue to be used in future, with minor variations in test dates to avoid weekends.

The analysis of the responses to the DLHE survey in some cases depends on the survey returns alone, but many tabulations rely on linking the DLHE return to the student returns submitted earlier for the same individual through the student record collection. This allows, for example, joint analysis of subject studied and subsequent work and/or study. It is from the student record collection that the list of qualifiers eligible to be included in DLHE is constructed.

Format of publications

Commencing with the 2002/03 cycle of publications, HESA reference volumes now comprise a relatively slim printed volume containing only a limited range of tables, together with a CD, which contains all the remaining data familiar to users from earlier years, supplemented with additional and more detailed tables. The tables on the CD are in Microsoft® Excel 2000 format. This has the further benefit of allowing users to select data from the tables and manipulate how it is displayed. However, arithmetical manipulations should be carried out with caution because of the effect of the rounding strategy described below.

Other HESA publications

The other reference volumes published by HESA are as follows.

Students in Higher Education Institutions. This volume draws on HESA’s collection of data about students in HEIs. It includes information at the institutional level about entry qualifications, programmes taken, and outcomes, together with background variables such as age, gender, ethnicity, and disability. Data on HE provision in Further Education Colleges is not included in this volume except for students funded indirectly through HEIs, in which case it is reported by the HEI through which funding passes.

Resources of Higher Education Institutions. This volume brings together information about the finances and the staff of HEIs. Tabulations are included which record and analyse income and expenditure, and the characteristics of staff, at the institutional level.

Higher Education Statistics for the United Kingdom. This is the only HESA reference volume that currently falls within the National Statistics framework, and it accordingly carries the National Statistics logo as well as that of HESA. It provides an overview of higher education in the UK from a statistical perspective, including statistics about applications, participation, institutional finance, staffing, student awards, and loans. To achieve this broad coverage, this volume draws on data collected by other bodies as well as HESA, and in particular includes some information about directly funded HE provision in Further Education Colleges.

HESA also publishes annually two Statistical First Releases within the National Statistics framework; the Higher Education Management Statistics at institutional level (on CD); and detailed data for institutional planning purposes on CD (HE Planning Plus and HE Finance Plus). Research Data Packs dealing with specific issues are produced on an occasional basis on CD. The HESA Information Provision Service exists to meet more specialist needs of data users on a bespoke basis.

Data protection

In order to comply with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998, HESA implements a strategy in published and released tabulations designed to minimise the risk of disclosure of personal information about any individual. The tabulations in the volume are derived from the HESA non-statutory populations2 and may differ slightly from those published by related statutory bodies or in National Statistics publications. This strategy involves rounding all numbers to the nearest multiple of 5. A summary of this strategy is as follows:

  1. 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0
  2. All other numbers are rounded to the nearest multiple of 5.

So for example 3 is represented as 5, 22 is represented as 20, 3286 is represented as 3285 while 0, 20, 55, 3510 remain unchanged.

This rounding strategy is also applied to total numbers, the consequence of which is that the sum of numbers in each row or column will rarely match the total shown precisely. Note that subject level data calculated by apportionment will also be rounded in accordance with this strategy.

Average values, proportions and FTE values prepared by HESA will not usually be affected by the above strategy, and will be calculated on precise raw numbers.

Percentages calculated on populations which contain 52 or fewer individuals will be suppressed and represented as ‘..’ as will averages based on populations of 7 or fewer.

Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education 2003/04

Response rates

The coverage of the DLHE survey is limited to qualifiers of UK and other European Union (EU) domicile.3 It excludes those domiciled outside the EU. Qualifiers from part-time programmes are included.

Qualifiers with known destinations

For DLHE in 2003/04 there were 257,025 valid responses from a possible total of 332,290 qualifiers from full-time programmes, a percentage with known destinations of 77.3% (2002/03: 76.2%).There were 56,040 valid responses from a possible total of 82,185 qualifiers from part-time programmes, a percentage with known destinations of 68.2% (2002/03: 68.4%). In total there were 313,065 valid responses from 414,475 qualifiers, giving a survey-wide figure of 75.5% (2002/03: 74.6%).

3,695 full-time and 1,730 part-time qualifiers replied to the survey but explicitly declined to give information. They are not included in the above figures. Nor are those whose responses were insufficiently complete to be valid, or were rejected through failing any other test of validity.

Performance against target response rates

Target response rates for DLHE are set separately for full-time and part-time qualifiers and for UK and other EU qualifiers. Because these targets are a measure of institutional success in obtaining some form of response from qualifiers, explicit refusals are here included with valid responses. The following table shows the position for DLHE in 2003/04.

Table i Responses Qualifiers Rate Target Rate
Full-time UK 249035 307195 81.1% 80%
Full-time other EU 11685 25100 46.6% 50%
Part-time UK 56370 79025 71.3% 70%
Part-time other EU 1400 3160 44.3% 50%

It can be seen that for qualifiers of UK domicile, both full-time and part-time response rates just achieved the target figures. For 2002/03 the achieved rates were 80.4%, 41.8%, 70.8%, and 39.0%, in the same order as the rows of Table i, so there has been a very slight improvement in response rates from both full-time and part-time qualifiers of UK domicile, and a substantial improvement by about 5% in response rates from both full-time and part-time qualifiers of other EU domicile, although these have not yet reached the 50% target. Most of the tabulations in this volume are limited to qualifiers of UK domicile, which is often the main focus of interest in the results from DLHE.

It is expected that the evidence collected in connection with DLHE about the effectiveness of various different collection methods will provide the basis for enhancing response rates in the future. For DLHE, as previously for FDS, response rates vary greatly between institutions.

Key points

Figures in brackets are for 2002/03, and are provided for comparison. The change from FDS to DLHE limits how meaningful any comparisons with data from earlier years can be, and no figures prior to 2002/03 are given except for unemployment.

Of the 257,025 (248,005) full-time qualifiers of UK or other EU domicile for whom a valid DLHE return was made, 189,125, or 73.6%, (180,320, or 72.7%) reported that they were working in either full- or part-time employment, or were self-employed or freelance, or were doing voluntary/unpaid work; in each case numbers include those studying as well.

The number studying, including those working as well, was 61,475, or 23.9% (60,060, or 24.2%).

Of this same group of 257,025 qualifiers, 15,250, or 5.9%, (15,295, or 6.2%) were assumed to be unemployed. These percentages may with caution be compared with the figures of 5.9% for 2001/02 and 5.4% for 2000/01.

Of the 56,040 (59,650) part-timers, 49,115, or 87.6%, (52,040, or 87.2%) were working, and 1,315, or 2.3%, (1,505, or 2.5%) were assumed to be unemployed. There were 13,030, or 23.3%, (14,360, or 24.1%) part-time qualifiers continuing to study, a percentage almost identical to that of full-time qualifiers, but most of these part-time qualifiers combined work with study.

The proportion of full-time qualifiers of other EU domicile who were studying only was twice that of all full-time qualifiers, offset by a corresponding reduction in the proportion of those who were working only. The unemployment rate was somewhat higher than the overall figure. However, the response rate from non-UK qualifiers is lower than that for UK qualifiers, and there is a possibility of non-response bias.

All subsequent key points relate to UK-domiciled qualifiers.

Of the 245,450 (237,045) qualifiers from full-time programmes, for whom a valid DLHE return was made, 182,410, or 74.3%, (174,130, or 73.5%) were working and 57,065, or 23.2%, (55,635, or 23.5%) were studying. The number assumed to be unemployed was 14,350, or 5.8% (14,565, or 6.1%).

Of the 54,670 (58,600) qualifiers from part-time programmes, 48,020, or 87.8%, (51,225, or 87.4%) were working and 12,665, or 23.2%, (14,095, or 24.1%) were studying. The number assumed to be unemployed was 1,250, or 2.3% (1,445, or 2.5%).

Unemployment rates of qualifiers from full-time programmes were 4.4% (3.7%) for postgraduates, 6.5% (7.0%) for first degree students, and 3.0% (3.3%) for other undergraduates. The unemployment rates for females were uniformly lower than for males; for full-time first degree students the figures were 5.0% (5.4%) for females and 8.5% (9.3%) for males. Unemployment rates for qualifiers from part-time programmes followed a broadly similar pattern but were considerably lower than the corresponding full-time rates.

Younger qualifiers from both full-time and part-time programmes were closer to the ‘study’ end of the work-study spectrum and older ones to the ‘work’ end.

Among qualifiers from full-time first degree programmes, the highest proportions of those working were in medicine & dentistry, subjects allied to medicine, and education, all above 80%. The highest proportions of those studying were in law, at over 50%, and mathematical sciences and physical sciences, both above 30%. Computer science had the highest unemployment rate, at just over 11%, and creative arts & design, engineering & technology, and mass communications and documentation were all above 8%. Hardly any medicine & dentistry qualifiers were unemployed and the rates in subjects allied to medicine, education and veterinary science were around 3%. The figures for medicine & dentistry should be interpreted in the light of the fact that these are quota-controlled subjects.

Among qualifiers from full-time first degree programmes who were working, 33.6% (33.5%) were in occupations classified as ‘Managers & senior officials’ or ‘Professional’, whereas 4.8% (5.0%) were in ‘Elementary occupations’ under the Standard Occupational Classification.

Of those qualifiers from full-time programmes who were working, 82.7% (82.3%) were in full-time paid work, 13.2% (13.7%) in part-time paid work, 2.9% (2.9%) were self-employed (or freelance), and 1.2% (1.2%) were doing voluntary or unpaid work. Apart from a somewhat larger percentage who were self-employed, the pattern for qualifiers from part-time programmes was similar. Men were considerably more likely than women to be self-employed, but the major gender difference was among qualifiers from part-time programmes, where women were almost four times more likely at 20.3% (19.3%) to be in part-time employment than men at 5.3% (5.1%).

Of those doing full-time paid work, 2.1% (2.8%) of full-time and 0.9% (1.2%) of part-time qualifiers were known to be working outside the UK, as were 10.3% (10.1%) of doctorate-level qualifiers doing full-time paid work – a measure of the ‘brain drain’.

Of qualifiers from full-time first degree programmes, 8.9% (8.9%) proceeded to study for a higher degree. Of qualifiers from full-time other undergraduate programmes, 28.6% (34.5%) proceeded to study for a first degree, a considerable reduction compared to the 2002/03 figure. For part-time qualifiers, these ‘conventional’ articulation rates were considerably lower.

Of those respondents achieving Qualified Teacher Status or the equivalent, 89.1% (89.8%) were employed as teachers, and a further 4.7% (4.0%) were seeking a teaching post. Of those known to be in a teaching post, 88.0% (89.1%) were teaching solely in the maintained (state) sector.

Of qualifiers from part-time programmes who were employed during or just before their studies, three quarters reported some form of employer support, usually in the form of payment of tuition fees and/or the granting of study leave.

The median salary for male qualifiers from full-time first degree programmes employed in the UK, at £17,000 was a little higher than that for female qualifiers, at £16,000; the salary figure is collected to the nearest £1,000. The highest-paying jobs tended to go to males. For qualifiers from part-time programmes, males had a substantially higher median salary, £25,000 against £22,000, and a very much larger proportion in the highest category (£40,000 and above).

Summary results with EU coverage

Chart 1 shows the proportions of all qualifiers (that is, including both those of UK domicile and those of other EU domicile) falling into each work-study reporting category. Table A provides a detailed breakdown of all the responses to the DLHE survey, using the factors mode, level, domicile, and gender.

Destinations of leavers 2003/04

Table A - Destinations of leavers by mode of study, level of qualification, domicile and gender 2003/04
  Full-time paid work only (incl. self- employed) Part-time paid work only Voluntary/ unpaid work only Work & further study Further study only Assumed to be unemployed Not available for employment Other Total
Full-time 146465 18095 2030 22535 38940 15250 11135 2570 257025
Postgraduate
UK 30285 2550 250 2660 2735 1840 1130 305 41755
Female 18745 1785 145 1600 1400 835 710 175 25405
Male 11540 765 105 1060 1330 1005 420 130 16350
Other EU 2830 275 90 465 735 480 110 180 5170
Female 1480 195 45 270 345 240 70 30 2675
Male 1350 80 45 195 390 240 40 150 2495
First degree
UK 100335 13630 1585 15800 27685 11845 9170 1815 181865
Female 57630 8380 990 9480 15980 5185 5140 880 103660
Male 42705 5250 595 6315 11705 6660 4035 935 78205
Other EU 2045 210 65 520 2475 415 195 70 5990
Female 1125 140 45 310 1180 210 120 30 3160
Male 920 70 20 210 1295 200 75 35 2830
Other undergraduate
UK 10805 1415 40 3055 5135 660 525 195 21830
Female 8045 1050 20 2085 2330 330 350 100 14315
Male 2760 365 20 970 2800 330 175 95 7515
Other EU 165 10 0 40 175 10 5 5 415
Female 130 5 0 30 110 5 5 5 295
Male 35 5 0 10 65 5 0 0 120
Part-time 33560 5045 215 10300 2735 1315 2365 515 56040
Postgraduate
UK 17495 2230 90 4090 725 475 820 190 26120
Female 9710 1910 70 2535 455 300 560 130 15665
Male 7785 325 20 1555 275 175 260 60 10455
Other EU 630 55 0 145 45 35 25 15 955
Female 330 45 0 75 30 20 15 5 515
Male 300 15 0 70 20 15 10 15 440
First degree
UK 10680 1740 85 3280 1070 605 1220 225 18900
Female 6045 1470 50 2115 735 295 785 145 11640
Male 4630 270 35 1160 335 310 430 85 7255
Other EU 140 15 5 45 75 25 15 5 320
Female 85 10 0 25 25 15 10 0 170
Male 50 5 5 20 55 10 0 5 150
Other undergraduate
UK 4580 1005 30 2715 785 175 285 75 9650
Female 2420 915 20 1645 400 80 190 50 5725
Male 2160 85 10 1070 385 95 95 25 3925
Other EU 35 0 0 25 30 0 0 0 100
Female 25 0 0 15 15 0 0 0 50
Male 15 0 0 15 15 0 0 0 45
Total 180025 23140 2245 32835 41675 16565 13500 3085 313065
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.

The following percentages are derived from Table A, where, here and in what follows, ‘work only’ comprises the categories of full-time paid work only (including self-employed), part-time paid work only, and voluntary/unpaid work only.

Table ii Work only Work & study Study only Assumed unemployed Total returns
Full-time 64.8% 8.8% 15.1% 5.9% 257025
Part-time 69.3% 18.4% 4.9% 2.3% 56040

The proportion of part-time qualifiers continuing to study (including those working and studying) at 23.3% was almost identical to that of full-time qualifiers at 23.9%, but four fifths of these part-time qualifiers combined study with work whereas less than two fifths of full-time qualifiers did so.

For full-time qualifiers of other EU domicile, the corresponding percentages were as follows.

Table iii Work only Work & study Study only Assumed unemployed Total returns
Full-time other EU 49.2% 8.8% 29.2% 7.8% 11575

These percentages show a substantial shift from work only to study only, by comparison with the overall pattern, although there was little difference between the percentages of full-time qualifiers both working and studying. This shift occurred for qualifiers from all levels of study. The percentage of those assumed to be unemployed (the unemployment rate) was however not much greater than the overall figure. For this reason further analysis of data including both UK and other EU qualifiers is limited to unemployment.

For full-time qualifiers, the unemployment rate was 4.9% for postgraduates, 6.5% for first degree students, and 3.0% for other undergraduates. For part-time qualifiers, the corresponding figures were 1.9%, 3.3%, and 1.8%. For full-time first degree qualifiers, the unemployment rate was 5.1% for females and 8.5% for males. The corresponding part-time figures were 2.6% and 4.3%.

Summary results with UK coverage

The remainder of this introductory material reports numbers for leavers with UK domicile.

The overall effect of level of study, derived from the UK data in Table A, was as follows.

Table iv Work only Work & study Study only Assumed unemployed Total returns
Full-time postgraduate 79.2% 6.4% 6.5% 4.4% 41755
Full-time first degree 63.5% 8.7% 15.2% 6.5% 181865
Full-time other undergraduate 56.2% 14.0% 23.5% 3.0% 21830
Part-time postgraduate 75.9% 15.7% 2.8% 1.8% 26120
Part-time first degree 66.2% 17.3% 5.7% 3.2% 18900
Part-time other undergraduate 58.2% 28.1% 8.1% 1.8% 9650

Qualifiers from both full-time and part-time other undergraduate programmes had a high propensity to continue studying. Qualifiers from part-time postgraduate programmes were more likely to continue studying than were qualifiers from full-time postgraduate programmes, but articulation rates for qualifiers from full-time and part-time first degree programmes were similar. Unemployment for qualifiers from part-time programmes was considerably lower than for those from full-time programmes, but followed the same pattern, with the other undergraduate and postgraduate rates being similar to one another and much lower than the first degree rate.

For qualifiers from full-time first degree programmes, the percentages by gender were as follows.

Table v Full-time first degree Work only Work & study Study only Assumed unemployed Total returns
Female 64.6% 9.1% 15.4% 5.0% 103660
Male 62.1% 8.1% 15.0% 8.5% 78205

The work-study pattern was similar, but the unemployment rate for females was much lower than that for males.

Table B is similar to the UK part of Table A, but provides a breakdown by age group. Those of unknown age are included only in totals.

Table B - Destinations of UK domiciled leavers by mode of study, level of qualification, gender and age group 2003/04
  Full-time paid work only (incl. self- employed) Part-time paid work only Voluntary/ unpaid work only Work & further study Further study only Assumed to be unemployed Not available for employment Other Total
Full-time 141420 17600 1875 21515 35555 14350 10825 2315 245450
Postgraduate 30285 2550 250 2660 2735 1840 1130 305 41755
Female
24 years & under 8800 545 75 595 765 280 260 45 11365
25 years & over 9940 1240 70 1005 640 555 445 130 14025
Male
24 years & under 4125 245 35 360 700 330 215 45 6050
25 years & over 7410 520 70 700 630 675 205 85 10290
First degrees 100335 13630 1585 15800 27685 11845 9170 1815 181865
Female
24 years & under 49555 6485 835 7890 14095 4190 4425 640 88120
25 years & over 8065 1890 150 1590 1885 1000 710 240 15535
Male
24 years & under 37535 4650 515 5400 10390 5640 3670 790 68595
25 years & over 5165 600 80 920 1315 1020 360 145 9605
Other undergraduate 10805 1415 40 3055 5135 660 525 195 21830
Female
24 years & under 3305 295 10 930 1735 170 145 50 6640
25 years & over 4735 760 10 1160 595 160 200 55 7670
Male
Under 25 years 1570 290 10 650 2335 230 120 75 5280
25 years & over 1195 75 5 320 465 100 55 15 2235
Part-time 32755 4975 210 10085 2580 1250 2325 490 54670
Postgraduate 17495 2230 90 4090 725 475 820 190 26120
Female
24 years & under 405 30 0 145 50 10 20 5 670
25 years & over 9285 1870 65 2390 400 285 540 125 14965
Male
24 years & under 210 20 5 50 45 10 5 0 340
25 years & over 7560 305 20 1505 230 165 255 55 10095
First degrees 10680 1740 85 3280 1070 605 1220 225 18900
Female
24 years & under 905 115 5 225 110 75 70 10 1510
25 years & over 5140 1355 45 1895 625 220 715 130 10125
Male
24 years & under 1100 125 5 175 95 135 65 20 1720
25 years & over 3530 145 25 990 240 175 365 60 5530
Other undergraduate 4580 1005 30 2715 785 175 285 75 9650
Female
24 years & under 260 25 0 215 85 20 10 5 610
25 years & over 2150 890 20 1430 320 60 180 45 5095
Male
24 years & under 660 30 0 405 190 50 25 5 1365
25 years & over 1490 55 10 665 195 45 75 20 2550
Total 174175 22570 2085 31595 38135 15600 13150 2805 300120
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.

The pattern for full-time qualifiers by gender and age group was as follows.

Table vi Full-time Work only Work & study Study only Assumed unemployed Total returns
Female 24 years & under 65.9% 8.9% 15.6% 4.4% 106125
Female 25 years & over 72.2% 10.1% 8.4% 4.6% 37230
Male 24 years & under 61.3% 8.0% 16.8% 7.8% 79920
Male 25 years & over 68.3% 8.7% 10.9% 8.1% 22130

Females were closer to the ‘work’ end of the spectrum and males to the ‘study’ end (but this effect is attributable to the results for postgraduates and other undergraduates) and unemployment for females was much lower than for males. Younger qualifiers were closer to the ‘study’ end of the spectrum and older ones to the ‘work’ end.

The corresponding percentages for qualifiers from part-time programmes are as follows.

Table vii Part-time Work only Work & study Study only Assumed unemployed Total returns
Female 24 years & under 62.5% 20.8% 8.7% 3.7% 2795
Female 25 years & over 69.0% 18.9% 4.4% 1.9% 30185
Male 24 years & under 62.9% 18.3% 9.6% 5.6% 3425
Male 25 years & over 72.3% 17.4% 3.7% 2.1% 18175

Again, unemployment for females was lower than for males, but the differences were smaller than for full-time qualifiers, and there was little difference between females and males on the work-study spectrum. Younger qualifiers were again closer to the ‘study’ end of the spectrum and older ones to the ‘work’ end, but unemployment for older qualifiers was much lower than for younger ones.

Subject of study

Tables Ci and Cii, giving figures for qualifiers from full-time and part-time programmes respectively, tabulate work-study category by subject studied, for each level of study.

Table Ci - Destinations of UK domiciled leavers who obtained qualifications through full-time study by level of qualification and subject area(#10) 2003/04
  Full-time paid work only (incl. self- employed) Part-time paid work only Voluntary/ unpaid work only Work & further study Further study only Assumed to be unemployed Not available for employment Other Total
Postgraduate
Medicine & dentistry 370 20 5 70 65 20 20 0 565
Subjects allied to medicine 700 50 5 95 105 40 30 10 1035
Biological sciences 1240 125 25 165 265 105 75 15 2015
Veterinary science 15 0 0 5 5 0 0 0 25
Agriculture & related subjects 205 15 10 30 10 20 10 5 305
Physical sciences 1295 70 20 155 235 115 50 20 1955
Mathematical sciences 215 15 0 35 40 35 5 5 355
Computer science 960 85 15 110 120 185 50 15 1540
Engineering & technology 820 45 5 80 115 120 40 15 1235
Architecture, building & planning 385 15 0 75 55 25 20 0 575
Social studies 1655 185 45 245 270 120 100 15 2640
Law 2100 75 45 230 585 130 125 30 3315
Business & administrative studies 1785 90 10 235 90 215 110 25 2555
Mass communications & documentation 820 65 5 50 25 40 25 10 1035
Languages 620 110 15 125 235 65 55 10 1240
Historical & philosophical studies 535 90 15 100 255 70 55 20 1135
Creative arts & design 705 190 15 130 130 105 40 30 1335
Education 15845 1305 20 735 135 430 315 85 18870
Combined 15 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 20
Supplementary subject information(1)
Psychology 555 75 10 90 100 30 25 5 890
Geography & environmental sciences 485 45 20 40 90 45 15 5 750
Economics & politics 640 65 15 90 120 65 55 10 1055
English 240 45 5 50 100 30 25 5 505
First Degree
Medicine & dentistry 4280 15 5 460 395 5 20 0 5180
Subjects allied to medicine 8965 935 50 1250 1080 390 355 80 13100
Biological sciences 8780 1565 210 1585 3670 1080 1030 160 18085
Veterinary science 395 10 5 15 85 20 5 0 535
Agriculture & related subjects 1010 115 15 150 190 100 130 15 1730
Physical sciences 4200 555 75 625 2340 650 560 85 9095
Mathematical sciences 1700 210 25 505 890 235 220 50 3835
Computer science 6805 830 55 690 1365 1310 495 160 11705
Engineering & technology 5950 575 45 785 1265 890 485 110 10100
Architecture, building & planning 1860 95 15 450 330 120 125 20 3010
Social studies 9140 1280 210 1635 2570 1080 1070 175 17160
Law 2405 350 60 835 3340 295 390 70 7745
Business & administrative studies 14500 1440 85 2470 1570 1480 1430 205 23180
Mass communications & documentation 3315 560 60 315 345 475 325 55 5450
Languages 7160 1155 220 1200 2880 885 785 140 14425
Historical & philosophical studies 4680 825 175 870 2410 690 585 105 10340
Creative arts & design 10175 2335 240 1480 2125 1845 925 325 19445
Education 4355 665 20 340 680 215 175 40 6495
Combined 660 115 20 140 165 95 50 10 1250
Supplementary subject information(1)
Psychology 3545 605 90 735 1145 400 420 65 7005
Geography & environmental sciences 3075 380 65 395 1070 335 435 45 5805
Economics & politics 3410 375 90 795 1185 460 480 85 6880
English 3675 690 110 640 1565 485 390 90 7645
Other Undergraduate
Medicine & dentistry 25 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 35
Subjects allied to medicine 7265 675 5 1270 255 130 160 25 9780
Biological sciences 190 50 0 110 305 30 30 20 735
Veterinary science 5 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 10
Agriculture & related subjects 230 40 0 50 225 20 15 10 595
Physical sciences 50 20 0 15 75 5 5 5 180
Mathematical sciences 25 5 0 10 15 5 0 0 65
Computer science 400 80 0 240 870 100 40 20 1745
Engineering & technology 280 45 0 105 320 50 20 10 830
Architecture, building & planning 60 5 0 35 110 10 10 0 230
Social studies 715 130 5 270 270 40 40 10 1475
Law 40 10 0 30 105 5 5 0 195
Business & administrative studies 670 130 5 445 1380 90 70 35 2825
Mass communications & documentation 100 20 0 65 160 20 10 5 380
Languages 40 5 0 20 40 5 10 5 125
Historical & philosophical studies 65 15 5 25 35 10 5 0 165
Creative arts & design 465 135 10 220 780 125 80 30 1845
Education 135 35 0 135 160 10 15 10 490
Combined 45 5 0 15 35 10 10 5 125
Supplementary subject information(1)
Psychology 30 10 0 15 35 5 15 5 110
Geography & environmental sciences 30 5 0 10 20 5 5 5 80
Economics & politics 20 5 0 15 25 5 5 0 75
English 30 0 0 10 20 5 10 5 75
Total 141420 17600 1875 21515 35555 14350 10825 2315 245450
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.
# see relevant footnote in Notes to Tables.
(1) Numbers reported under 'Supplementary subject information' are within and not additional to the overall total, but are disaggregated from it on a different pattern from the 19 subject areas.
Table Cii - Destinations of UK domiciled leavers who obtained qualifications through part-time study by level of qualification and subject area(#10) 2003/04
  Full-time paid work only (incl. self- employed) Part-time paid work only Voluntary/ unpaid work only Work & further study Further study only Assumed to be unemployed Not available for employment Other Total
Postgraduate
Medicine & dentistry 480 70 5 125 10 10 10 0 710
Subjects allied to medicine 1880 335 10 590 60 25 65 15 2985
Biological sciences 605 110 5 200 45 30 35 5 1030
Veterinary science 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
Agriculture & related subjects 95 5 0 10 15 0 5 5 130
Physical sciences 285 20 0 55 20 15 25 5 420
Mathematical sciences 110 5 0 15 10 5 10 0 160
Computer science 600 35 0 65 25 30 15 10 785
Engineering & technology 600 20 0 70 10 15 15 10 745
Architecture, building & planning 625 20 0 105 30 10 10 0 795
Social studies 1175 165 10 235 55 30 60 10 1740
Law 775 45 5 185 70 30 25 10 1145
Business & administrative studies 5360 175 5 1090 100 110 125 45 7005
Mass communications & documentation 305 55 0 55 10 15 15 5 460
Languages 285 90 5 75 35 25 80 10 605
Historical & philosophical studies 365 95 20 100 55 20 150 20 830
Creative arts & design 345 125 5 85 50 30 40 20 700
Education 3570 850 10 1020 130 80 135 25 5810
Combined 25 10 0 10 5 0 5 0 55
Supplementary subject information(1)
Psychology 300 95 5 130 30 20 30 0 610
Geography & environmental sciences 155 15 0 30 15 10 5 0 230
Economics & politics 180 15 0 25 10 5 10 0 240
English 120 50 5 35 20 10 35 5 275
First Degree
Medicine & dentistry 15 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 20
Subjects allied to medicine 2800 620 0 805 70 30 90 25 4435
Biological sciences 615 125 15 220 110 50 85 20 1240
Veterinary science 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Agriculture & related subjects 60 5 0 10 5 5 0 5 85
Physical sciences 140 15 0 30 20 15 15 5 240
Mathematical sciences 65 15 0 50 30 10 25 10 200
Computer science 700 75 5 110 60 90 45 10 1095
Engineering & technology 980 20 0 185 35 35 20 10 1290
Architecture, building & planning 740 20 0 150 20 10 25 5 970
Social studies 795 120 5 280 85 45 80 15 1430
Law 290 40 5 200 115 30 25 5 715
Business & administrative studies 1380 115 5 280 75 95 70 20 2040
Mass communications & documentation 85 20 0 15 15 15 10 5 165
Languages 200 65 5 90 90 25 90 20 580
Historical & philosophical studies 310 105 10 195 100 30 215 30 1000
Creative arts & design 170 55 10 60 55 45 70 20 480
Education 480 110 5 235 70 20 25 5 955
Combined 855 205 10 370 115 50 315 35 1960
Supplementary subject information(1)
Psychology 250 70 10 135 65 25 50 10 615
Geography & environmental sciences 100 15 0 20 10 10 15 5 175
Economics & politics 60 10 0 30 15 10 10 5 140
English 130 45 0 60 60 15 55 10 380
Other Undergraduate
Medicine & dentistry 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Subjects allied to medicine 860 490 5 520 55 15 35 10 1985
Biological sciences 60 5 0 65 30 10 10 5 180
Veterinary science 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Agriculture & related subjects 100 10 0 25 5 0 5 0 150
Physical sciences 40 5 0 50 5 5 5 0 100
Mathematical sciences 5 0 0 5 5 0 0 0 15
Computer science 365 50 0 235 160 40 20 10 885
Engineering & technology 680 10 0 375 95 20 15 5 1195
Architecture, building & planning 425 10 0 235 55 5 10 5 750
Social studies 575 120 10 360 70 10 25 15 1180
Law 40 0 0 10 15 5 0 0 70
Business & administrative studies 795 60 0 415 140 40 25 5 1475
Mass communications & documentation 15 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 25
Languages 10 5 0 25 35 0 20 0 95
Historical & philosophical studies 65 10 5 45 20 0 40 10 200
Creative arts & design 80 25 5 40 45 20 30 5 235
Education 445 195 0 295 50 10 35 5 1035
Combined 20 10 0 5 5 5 10 0 65
Supplementary subject information(1)
Psychology 5 5 0 10 10 5 5 0 40
Geography & environmental sciences 25 5 0 20 0 0 0 0 50
Economics & politics 10 10 0 10 5 0 5 0 45
English 10 0 0 5 10 0 5 0 30
Total 32755 4975 210 10085 2580 1250 2325 490 54670
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.
# see relevant footnote in Notes to Tables.
(1) Numbers reported under 'Supplementary subject information' are within and not additional to the overall total, but are disaggregated from it on a different pattern from the 19 subject areas.

Work, study, and unemployment rates varied greatly between subject areas at the six-month point. In some cases the outcome was an obvious consequence of the characteristics of the subject area. For full-time first degree qualifiers, the highest and lowest three rates in each category were as follows.

Table viii Work (inc. work & study) Study (inc. work & study) Assumed unemployed
Highest Medicine & dentistry 91.9% Law 53.9% Computer science 11.2%
Second highest Subjects allied to medicine 85.5% Mathematical sciences 36.3% Creative arts & design 9.5%
Third highest Education 82.9% Physical sciences 32.6% Engineering & technology 8.8%
Third lowest Historical & philosophical studies 63.3% Medicine & dentistry 16.5% Education 3.3%
Second lowest Physical sciences 60.0% Education 15.7% Subjects allied to medicine 3.0%
Lowest Law 47.1% Mass communications & documentation 12.1% Medicine & dentistry 0.1%

Occupational classification

Table D gives figures for working qualifiers, broken down by mode and level of study, and by gender, according to the Standard Occupational Classification of the work they were doing.

Table D - UK domiciled leavers entering employment by mode of study, level of qualification, gender and Standard Occupational Classification 2003/04
  Managers & senior officials Professional occupations Associate professional & technical occupations Administrative & secretarial occupations Skilled trades occupations Personal service occupations Sales & customer service occupations Process, plant & machine operatives Elementary occupations Unknown Total
Full-time 13280 60435 50895 24615 1855 7305 15415 1050 7170 390 182410
Doctorate degree
Female 40 1155 135 35 0 5 10 0 0 5 1385
Male 85 1315 100 20 0 5 15 0 5 5 1560
Other PG degree
Female 630 3485 2680 955 30 160 255 15 85 15 8305
Male 960 2985 1890 565 65 70 225 25 125 25 6940
PGCE
Female 35 12155 120 125 0 90 40 0 20 5 12585
Male 20 4790 70 30 10 20 15 5 5 0 4970
First degree
Female 5210 18000 22205 14510 410 4920 7940 275 2840 165 76475
Male 5690 15200 13905 7555 1090 1415 5760 615 3490 150 54870
Other undergraduate
Female 280 920 8135 490 60 515 555 20 215 10 11200
Male 330 435 1655 335 185 100 605 90 375 5 4115
Part-time 9095 17640 15140 2905 515 1375 745 215 350 45 48020
Doctorate degree
Female 50 395 55 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 515
Male 70 475 45 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 605
Other PG degree
Female 2510 5310 3715 535 15 150 65 10 20 15 12345
Male 3055 3525 1485 235 40 35 55 30 40 15 8515
PGCE
Female 50 1150 130 10 0 15 0 0 0 0 1365
Male 30 480 50 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 570
First degree
Female 1115 1930 4800 1070 35 425 225 15 65 5 9685
Male 1230 2155 1660 385 160 75 215 75 135 5 6095
Other undergraduate
Female 470 1090 2200 485 20 615 90 10 25 5 5005
Male 515 1135 995 160 240 50 90 75 70 0 3325
Total 22375 78070 66035 27515 2370 8680 16160 1265 7520 440 230430
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.

Among qualifiers from full-time first degree programmes who were working (including those who were also studying), 33.6% were in occupations classified as ‘Managers & senior officials’ or ‘Professional’, whereas 4.8% were in ‘Elementary occupations’.

Tables Ei and Eii, giving figures for working qualifiers from full-time and part-time programmes respectively, tabulate for each level of study the Standard Occupational Classification of the post held against the Standard Industrial Classification of the employer.

Table Ei - UK domiciled leavers who obtained qualifications through full-time study and entered employment by level of qualification, Standard Industrial Classification of employer and Standard Occupational Qualification 2003/04
  Managers & senior officials Professional occupations Associate professional & technical occupations Administrative & secretarial occupations Skilled trades occupations Personal service occupations Sales & customer service occupations Process, plant & machine operatives Elementary occupations Unknown Total
Postgraduate
Agriculture & forestry 15 10 5 5 5 5 0 0 10 0 55
Fishing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mining & quarrying 15 55 25 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 95
Manufacturing 170 425 545 70 30 0 20 20 15 10 1295
Electricity, gas & water supply 20 45 30 15 0 0 10 0 0 0 125
Construction 30 65 30 15 10 0 5 0 5 0 160
Wholesale & retail trade/Repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles & personal & household goods 175 35 95 60 10 5 325 10 15 5 730
Hotels & restaurants 70 0 10 15 10 0 10 0 115 0 240
Transport, storage & communication 80 65 95 40 5 35 35 5 20 0 375
Financial activities 170 150 320 210 0 0 60 0 5 5 915
Property development, renting, business & research activities 375 3345 1225 395 10 5 40 5 10 15 5425
Public administration & defence/Social security 315 940 565 335 5 10 5 5 5 5 2190
Education 50 19215 230 180 0 155 5 0 10 10 19865
Health & social work 155 1175 940 210 0 75 5 5 5 0 2575
Other community, social & personal service activities 120 325 835 160 20 50 35 5 30 5 1580
Private households with employed persons 0 5 5 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 15
International organisations & bodies 10 30 25 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 75
Not known 5 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 25
Total 1770 25880 4990 1725 105 350 560 55 245 60 35745
First degree
Agriculture & forestry 130 25 75 30 160 60 10 10 115 5 615
Fishing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
Mining & quarrying 30 160 90 55 5 0 15 5 5 0 360
Manufacturing 900 2085 3605 1355 285 25 465 350 290 30 9385
Electricity, gas & water supply 85 190 180 285 10 0 245 5 10 10 1025
Construction 270 845 280 320 185 0 35 30 220 0 2185
Wholesale & retail trade/Repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles & personal & household goods 2845 1130 1815 1450 165 35 8775 105 700 10 17035
Hotels & restaurants 1360 25 280 420 180 80 155 15 3070 10 5595
Transport, storage & communication 520 375 740 950 60 645 835 160 390 15 4690
Financial activities 875 795 2620 4010 10 10 1305 5 35 35 9705
Property development, renting, business & research activities 1610 7485 8120 4715 170 135 970 100 335 60 23705
Public administration & defence/Social security 645 1900 2475 3400 25 285 150 15 105 25 9020
Education 210 9540 1515 1370 30 2370 35 15 115 10 15210
Health & social work 475 7765 9595 2145 25 1875 135 30 115 25 22180
Other community, social & personal service activities 900 790 4645 1460 180 740 540 45 805 25 10135
Private households with employed persons 5 10 10 5 5 65 0 0 10 0 115
International organisations & bodies 10 50 20 20 5 5 0 0 0 0 120
Not known 20 25 40 60 10 10 25 5 15 60 265
Total 10895 33200 36110 22065 1500 6335 13695 890 6335 320 131345
Other undergraduate
Agriculture & forestry 25 5 10 0 55 15 0 5 30 0 150
Fishing 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 5
Mining & quarrying 0 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20
Manufacturing 30 50 95 45 40 15 30 25 30 0 355
Electricity, gas & water supply 5 0 5 10 0 0 15 0 0 0 40
Construction 15 25 20 10 30 0 0 5 15 0 125
Wholesale & retail trade/Repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles & personal & household goods 155 15 75 85 30 10 870 15 90 0 1345
Hotels & restaurants 115 5 25 45 35 15 20 5 265 0 535
Transport, storage & communication 15 25 45 50 5 45 65 25 25 0 295
Financial activities 15 10 60 150 0 0 65 0 0 0 305
Property development, renting, business & research activities 55 100 225 150 15 10 45 10 30 0 650
Public administration & defence/Social security 35 190 225 110 0 25 5 0 15 0 600
Education 10 120 70 40 5 150 0 0 10 0 405
Health & social work 90 765 8680 70 5 250 10 0 15 0 9885
Other community, social & personal service activities 50 35 250 45 20 85 35 5 65 0 585
Private households with employed persons 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 10
International organisations & bodies 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Not known 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 15
Total 610 1350 9795 825 245 620 1160 105 590 15 15315
Total - All students 13280 60435 50895 24615 1855 7305 15415 1050 7170 390 182410
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.
Table Eii - UK domiciled leavers who obtained qualifications through part-time study and entered employment by level of qualification, Standard Industrial Classification of employer and Standard Occupational Qualification 2003/04
  Managers & senior officials Professional occupations Associate professional & technical occupations Administrative & secretarial occupations Skilled trades occupations Personal service occupations Sales & customer service occupations Process, plant & machine operatives Elementary occupations Unknown Total
Postgraduate
Agriculture & forestry 10 5 5 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 35
Fishing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mining & quarrying 80 55 35 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 175
Manufacturing 955 425 330 25 15 0 5 10 0 0 1765
Electricity, gas & water supply 85 40 25 5 0 0 0 5 0 0 160
Construction 150 85 30 10 5 0 0 0 5 0 285
Wholesale & retail trade/Repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles & personal & household goods 275 125 90 20 0 0 70 0 5 0 590
Hotels & restaurants 50 5 5 0 5 5 0 0 10 0 80
Transport, storage & communication 285 80 85 20 0 10 10 5 5 0 500
Financial activities 370 115 200 50 0 0 5 0 0 0 740
Property development, renting, business & research activities 810 1225 565 100 10 0 5 0 5 10 2730
Public administration & defence/Social security 885 910 955 225 0 15 5 5 10 5 3025
Education 305 5930 430 150 5 100 0 5 10 5 6930
Health & social work 1255 2105 2370 115 0 50 5 5 0 5 5915
Other community, social & personal service activities 235 220 340 75 5 30 5 0 10 0 925
Private households with employed persons 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
International organisations & bodies 5 10 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20
Not known 10 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 20
Total 5765 11335 5485 800 60 210 120 40 60 30 23910
First degree
Agriculture & forestry 15 5 10 5 15 0 0 0 5 0 55
Fishing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mining & quarrying 20 30 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 65
Manufacturing 300 620 315 75 65 0 15 35 20 0 1450
Electricity, gas & water supply 35 45 15 10 10 0 10 0 0 0 125
Construction 130 300 75 20 10 0 0 0 5 0 545
Wholesale & retail trade/Repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles & personal & household goods 170 45 80 80 10 0 250 5 35 0 685
Hotels & restaurants 75 5 15 15 15 0 5 0 35 0 165
Transport, storage & communication 100 85 75 50 20 30 35 30 25 0 450
Financial activities 135 55 125 160 0 0 55 0 5 0 545
Property development, renting, business & research activities 290 580 420 220 25 5 30 0 20 0 1590
Public administration & defence/Social security 375 405 635 355 10 30 15 0 10 0 1845
Education 115 1235 280 185 5 255 0 0 5 0 2080
Health & social work 475 595 4235 195 5 140 10 5 10 0 5665
Other community, social & personal service activities 90 65 175 75 5 30 15 0 15 0 470
Private households with employed persons 5 5 5 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 30
International organisations & bodies 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
Not known 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 15
Total 2345 4080 6465 1455 195 500 440 90 200 10 15780
Other undergraduate
Agriculture & forestry 10 0 5 5 20 5 0 0 10 0 60
Fishing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mining & quarrying 0 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15
Manufacturing 115 340 245 60 105 0 10 35 5 0 915
Electricity, gas & water supply 20 40 30 5 10 0 5 5 0 0 105
Construction 95 190 90 10 35 0 0 10 5 0 435
Wholesale & retail trade/Repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles & personal & household goods 65 15 55 30 15 0 105 5 15 0 310
Hotels & restaurants 35 5 5 5 10 0 0 0 15 0 75
Transport, storage & communication 35 40 40 30 10 10 10 15 15 0 200
Financial activities 35 20 40 55 0 0 10 0 0 0 165
Property development, renting, business & research activities 105 145 235 65 20 5 10 5 5 0 605
Public administration & defence/Social security 190 255 485 205 20 45 5 5 5 0 1220
Education 55 595 140 80 5 460 0 0 0 0 1345
Health & social work 195 535 1735 70 5 115 5 0 5 0 2665
Other community, social & personal service activities 30 35 75 20 10 15 5 0 5 0 195
Private households with employed persons 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 5
International organisations & bodies 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Not known 0 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15
Total 985 2220 3190 645 260 665 180 85 90 5 8330
Total - All students 9095 17640 15140 2905 515 1375 745 215 350 45 48020
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.

Basis and location of work

Table F shows the patterns of work of those qualifiers who were working, broken down by mode and level of study, and gender. It includes those who were also continuing to study. For those in full-time paid work, it shows the location of work and, where known, the contract duration.

Table F - UK domiciled leavers who entered employment by mode of study, level of qualification, gender, employment category, mode of employment, location of employment and duration of employment 2003/04
  Of those working (incl. work & further study)
    Full-time paid work      
    Location   Duration      
  Total Within the UK Within other EU countries Outside the EU   Permanent or fixed-term longer than 12 months Temporary or fixed-term of less than 12 months Duration not known Part-time paid work Self-employed/ freelance Voluntary/ unpaid work
Full-time 182410 146850 1625 2160   96490 24465 29840 24140 5260 2210
Doctorate degree
Female 1385 1100 30 80   915 125 175 135 30 10
Male 1560 1220 55 160   1055 125 250 80 40 5
Other PG degree
Female 8305 6530 90 140   4530 1000 1230 990 415 140
Male 6940 5460 95 190   3795 750 1205 555 525 105
PGCE
Female 12585 11365 35 45   7680 1310 2460 1045 80 10
Male 4970 4575 10 25   3080 425 1110 315 35 5
First degree
Female 76475 60790 760 705   39195 11700 11415 11310 1695 1165
Male 54870 43770 530 785   27110 8370 9665 6885 2135 705
Other undergraduate
Female 11200 9085 15 25   7035 390 1705 1900 135 35
Male 4115 2965 10 10   2090 275 625 925 175 25
Part-time 48020 38425 160 260   31465 1195 6215 6875 1990 275
Doctorate degree
Female 515 360 5 5   300 20 50 105 35 5
Male 605 490 10 20   420 20 80 40 40 0
Other PG degree
Female 12345 9835 30 65   8160 280 1495 1785 545 75
Male 8515 7495 50 85   6330 145 1165 335 510 25
PGCE
Female 1365 840 5 5   690 60 95 485 25 0
Male 570 475 0 5   395 15 65 80 10 0
First degree
Female 9685 7230 20 25   5800 270 1205 2045 275 85
Male 6095 5345 30 35   4270 230 925 365 270 40
Other undergraduate
Female 5005 3375 5 5   2785 80 525 1435 150 30
Male 3325 2975 10 5   2320 65 610 195 125 10
Total 230430 185275 1785 2420   127955 25660 36055 31015 7250 2485
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.

The pattern of work by mode of study and gender was as follows.

Table ix Full-time paid Part-time paid Self-employed or freelance Voluntary or unpaid Total returns
Full-time female 82.6% 14.0% 2.1% 1.2% 109955
Full-time male 82.7% 12.1% 4.0% 1.2% 72450
Part-time female 75.5% 20.3% 3.6% 0.7% 28910
Part-time male 89.2% 5.3% 5.0% 0.4% 19110

For full-time qualifiers, the percentage of males who were self-employed or freelance was substantially larger than for females. This was also true, to a lesser extent, for part-time qualifiers, but in that case there was also a major difference in the balance between full-time and part-time work, with females almost four times more likely than males to be working part-time.

Of full-time qualifiers who were in full-time paid work, 1.1% were working in other EU countries, and 1.4% outside the EU. For part-time qualifiers the figures were 0.4% and 0.7% respectively. Of all doctorate-level qualifiers who were in full-time paid work, 2.7% were working in other EU countries, and 7.6% outside the EU.

Type of study

Table G shows the subsequent study patterns of those qualifiers who continued to study, broken down by mode and level of previous study, and by gender. It includes those who were also working.

Table G - UK domiciled leavers who entered further study by mode of study, level of qualification, gender and qualification aim 2003/04
  Higher degree (research) Higher degree (taught) Postgraduate diploma or certificate First degree Other diploma or certificate Professional qualification Other qualification Not aiming for a qualification Total
Full-time 5415 13510 11215 8305 3905 8670 3565 2480 57065
Doctorate degree
Female 30 15 50 10 15 25 15 85 245
Male 30 20 30 5 10 30 10 90 230
Other PG degree
Female 815 255 295 45 145 450 120 110 2235
Male 790 215 220 25 85 450 70 75 1940
PGCE
Female 20 195 55 10 70 45 80 55 525
Male 15 110 15 5 20 20 25 15 220
First degree
Female 1605 6405 7425 1135 1910 4050 1830 1105 25460
Male 2070 6100 2925 835 955 3375 1050 720 18025
Other undergraduate
Female 25 115 115 3120 450 155 255 180 4420
Male 20 85 85 3120 240 70 105 50 3770
Part-time 800 2610 1660 2370 1805 1270 1230 920 12665
Doctorate degree
Female 5 5 15 0 5 0 5 45 85
Male 10 5 10 5 5 5 10 60 110
Other PG degree
Female 325 790 460 75 265 295 220 240 2675
Male 295 515 205 35 135 180 130 115 1610
PGCE
Female 10 45 20 5 55 20 50 20 230
Male 10 40 10 0 15 5 15 5 110
First degree
Female 75 595 615 260 380 335 365 225 2850
Male 45 445 190 165 165 255 140 90 1500
Other undergraduate
Female 10 95 85 1050 420 105 190 85 2045
Male 10 75 50 765 355 70 100 35 1455
Total 6215 16125 12870 10675 5710 9940 4795 3400 69730
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.

Of the total number of qualifiers from full-time first degree programmes as reported in Table B, 23.9% proceeded to further study. 8.9% of that total, 37.2% of those who proceeded, moved on to study for a higher degree. The corresponding part-time percentages were 23.0%, 6.1%, and 26.6%.

Of the total number of qualifiers from full-time other undergraduate programmes, 37.5% proceeded to further study. 28.6% of that total, 76.2% of those who proceeded, moved on to first degree studies. The corresponding part-time percentages were 36.3%, 18.8%, and 51.9%.

Newly qualified teachers

Table H provides information about newly qualified teachers. It provides a breakdown by administration, gender, and age group, and shows the sector (maintained/non-maintained, also known as state/independent) and the level of the school or college in which the respondent was teaching.

Table H - UK domiciled leavers who completed an initial teacher training course leading to QTS/a course of pre-service teacher training (as defined by the Scottish Executive), by location of institution, gender, age, teaching phase and teaching sector 2003/04
    QTS and in a teaching post    
      Teaching sector(1)   Teaching phase    
  Total QTS leavers Total QTS leavers in a teaching post Maintained (state) school or college Non-maintained (independent school or college Both maintained (state) and non-maintained (independent) school or college Sector not known   Primary school Secondary school Both primary & secondary schools College or other educational establishment QTS & seeking a teaching post QTS & NOT teaching or seeking
England 20625 18405 16345 940 180 940   8525 9215 345 315 920 1300
Female 15660 13940 12410 670 125 735   7515 5970 260 195 735 985
24 years & under 8505 7635 6805 360 65 405   4390 3070 120 55 380 490
25 years & over 7155 6305 5605 310 60 330   3125 2905 140 140 360 490
Male 4965 4465 3935 275 50 205   1010 3245 90 125 185 315
24 years & under 1990 1785 1585 105 20 75   425 1270 45 40 65 145
25 years & over 2975 2685 2355 165 30 130   580 1975 45 80 120 170
Wales 1505 1205 1060 55 15 75   525 630 20 25 185 120
Female 1125 885 775 35 10 65   455 400 15 15 155 85
24 years & under 740 580 515 20 5 45   325 245 5 5 105 55
25 years & over 385 305 265 15 5 20   130 155 10 10 50 30
Male 380 315 285 20 0 15   70 235 5 10 30 35
24 years & under 185 150 130 10 0 5   40 105 5 5 10 20
25 years & over 195 165 150 10 0 5   30 130 0 5 15 15
Scotland 1780 1725 1675 35 0 10   930 780 15 5 5 55
Female 1385 1340 1300 30 0 10   850 475 10 0 5 45
24 years & under 770 750 730 15 0 5   505 235 10 0 0 20
25 years & over 615 590 575 10 0 5   345 240 5 0 0 25
Male 395 385 375 10 0 0   80 300 0 0 0 10
24 years & under 150 145 145 5 0 0   30 115 0 0 0 5
25 years & over 245 240 230 5 0 0   50 185 0 0 0 5
Northern Ireland 660 565 195 45 5 195   260 270 25 10 55 35
Female 525 455 160 35 5 155   225 200 25 5 45 30
24 years & under 395 340 125 25 0 100   175 145 15 5 30 20
25 years & over 130 110 35 15 0 55   50 55 5 0 15 5
Male 130 110 40 10 0 40   35 70 0 5 15 10
24 years & under 85 70 25 5 0 25   25 40 0 5 5 10
25 years & over 45 40 15 5 0 15   10 30 0 0 5 0
Total(2) 24575 21900 19285 1080 200 1220   10245 10900 405 355 1165 1505
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.
(1) The school types within the Northern Ireland sector are different to other United Kingdom regions. School type was not a completion requirement for those teaching in Northern Ireland and should be taken into account when analysising the figures.
(2) Unknown age is included in totals.

Across the UK, 89.1% of those respondents achieving Qualified Teacher Status were employed as teachers, and a further 4.7% were seeking a teaching post. Of those known to be in a teaching post, 88.0% were teaching solely in the maintained (state) sector. The percentage teaching only at the primary level was 46.8%, at the secondary level or both levels 51.6%, and at a college or other educational establishment 1.6%.

Employer sponsorship for part-time study

Table I shows patterns of employer sponsorship for qualifiers from part-time programmes who were employed during or just before their studies.

Table I - UK domiciled leavers who studied part-time and were employed either during or immediately before the programme of study they recently completed, by level of qualification, gender and employer sponsorship 2003/04
  Employer sponsorship    
  Tuition fees paid Grant to cover tuition fees & living expenses Study leave Supported in other ways No employer support Total(1)
Postgraduate
Female 2745 80 1950 1435 990 5630
Male 1835 100 1095 845 560 3485
First degree
Female 1330 30 1130 785 1290 3780
Male 880 25 560 435 655 2030
Other undergraduate
Female 890 20 560 395 225 1700
Male 355 5 185 170 115 740
Total 8035 255 5480 4065 3835 17365
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.
(1) This is the total number of leavers who were employed during/immediately before the course, not a tally of sponsorship option, as respondents were allowed to tick all options that applied to them.

Three quarters of those responding reported some form of employer support. Payment of tuition fees was the commonest form of support. Grants to cover living expenses as well were uncommon, study leave being the common form of personal support. This pattern of support applied regardless of level of study and of gender.

Salary levels

Table J shows the distribution, by £5,000 bands, of salaries reported (to the nearest £1,000) by qualifiers from first degree programmes who entered or continued in full-time UK employment. Chart 2 displays this information separately for qualifiers from full-time and part-time programmes, subdivided by gender.

Table J - UK domiciled leavers who obtained first degree qualifications and entered or continued in full-time UK employment by salary band, mode of study and gender 2003/04
  Salary band    
  less than £5,000 £5,000- £9,999 £10,000- £14,999 £15,000- £19,999 £20,000- £24,999 £25,000- £29,999 £30,000- £34,999 £35,000- £39,999 £40,000+ Total Median salary
Full-time 140 1750 17435 20120 8725 2665 1250 590 205 52875 £16,000
Female 90 1160 11130 12990 4445 1305 595 260 50 32025 £16,000
Male 50 590 6300 7130 4280 1360 660 325 155 20850 £17,000
Part-time 5 55 610 1330 1715 1435 820 325 390 6690 £23,000
Female 5 35 380 895 1180 880 415 105 85 3980 £22,000
Male 0 20 230 440 540 560 405 215 300 2710 £25,000
Female total 95 1195 11510 13880 5625 2180 1010 370 140 36005 £17,000
Male total 50 610 6530 7570 4820 1920 1065 540 455 23560 £18,000
Total 145 1805 18040 21450 10440 4100 2075 910 595 59565 £17,000
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.
The median salary is rounded to the nearest thousand.

UK domiciled leavers who obtained first degree qualifications and entered or continued in full-time paid UK employment by salary band, mode of study and gender, 2003/04

The median salary for female and male qualifiers from full-time programmes differed by only £1,000 but the high-paying jobs tended to go to males. For qualifiers from part-time programmes the distributions were quite different, with males not only having a substantially higher median salary, but also a very much larger proportion in the highest category.


1 A pilot survey will be carried out in January 2006 on a test sample from the 2002/03 leaving cohort, two years and six months from completion. The results from this will not be published, but will be used to inform the design of the first full survey, on a disjoint sample from the same cohort, in January 2007. A sample from the 2003/04 cohort covered by the present volume will be surveyed in January 2008. Publication of the results from the second phase of DLHE will be at sector, administration, and possibly regional level, but not at the level of individual institutions. A sector-wide subject breakdown may also be published.

2 Non-statutory populations omit any contribution from individuals who have notified HESA of their wish to be excluded in circumstances such as the publication of the present volume where inclusion is not defined as a requirement by the bodies whose statutory powers underpin HESA data collections.

3 The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not part of the UK or the EU, but, as in other HESA publications, students with these domiciles are included in UK figures unless separated out explicitly.