Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education in the United Kingdom for the academic year 2008/09

1 July 2010

Introduction

This Statistical First Release (SFR) has been produced by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), in collaboration with statisticians from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG), the Scottish Government (SG) and the Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland (DEL(NI)). It has been released according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority. It provides details of the destinations of leavers from higher education (HE) who obtained qualifications in higher education institutions (HEIs) in the United Kingdom (UK), during the academic year 2008/09. The data presented draws on the 2008/09 Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) record.

Key Points - All UK HEIs

First degrees

• In 2008/09, there were 205,340 full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, compared to 200,090 in 2007/08. In 2008/09, 59% (122,100) were in employment only, 62% in 2007/08; 8% (15,620) were in a combination of work and study, the same as in 2007/08; 18% (37,755) were involved in further study only, 17% in 2007/08; and 10% (19,640) were assumed to be unemployed, 8% in 2007/08 (See Table 1).
• Of the full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment only, 96% (117,220) were employed in the UK, the same as in 2007/08 (See Table 1).
• In 2008/09 of the full-time first degree graduates who were employed in the UK, 29% of these posts were classified as Associate professional & technical occupations, compared to 30% in 2007/08, 26% as Professional occupations, 27% in 2007/08, 10% as Administrative & secretarial occupations, 12% in 2007/08, and 14% as Sales & customer service occupations, 11% in 2007/08. These are the occupational groups with the highest proportions of leavers (See Table 4a).
• Subjects of study Unemployment rates for full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known varied between subjects, ranging from those which have traditionally low rates of unemployment, such as Medicine & dentistry (approximately 0%) and Education 5%, to 14% for Mass communications & documentation and 17% for Computer science (See Table 3).
• Salary Of those first degree graduates (both full-time and part-time) reported as being in full-time paid employment in the UK in 2008/09, 52% disclosed their salary. The median salary reported (to the nearest £500) was £20,000, the same as in 2007/08. The lower quartile was £15,000 and the upper quartile £24,000. The mean salary was £20,500, the same as in 2007/08 (See Table 5).
• Part-time In 2008/09, of the 21,840 part-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, 66% (14,495) were in employment only, the same as in 2007/08; 14% (3,150) were in a combination of work and study, 15% in 2007/08; 6% (1,365) were involved in further study only, the same as in 2007/08; and 6% (1,305) were assumed to be unemployed, 5% in 2007/08 (See Table 2).

Foundation degrees

• In 2008/09, there were 13,080 foundation degree graduates (both full-time and part-time) whose destinations were known, compared to 10,150 in 2007/08. In 2008/09, 36% (4,740) reported their first destination as employment only, 37% in 2007/08; 24% (3,165) were in a combination of work and study, 25% in 2007/08; 34% (4,490) were involved in further study only, 32% in 2007/08; and 3% (365) were assumed to be unemployed, the same as in 2007/08 (See Tables 1 and 2).

Other undergraduates

• In 2008/09, of the 31,375 leavers (both full-time and part-time) who obtained undergraduate diplomas and certificates (excluding foundation degree and professional graduate certificate in education) and whose destinations were known, 58% (18,350) were in employment only, compared to 61% in 2007/08; 16% (4,905) were in a combination of work and study, the same as in 2007/08; 18% (5,785) were in further study only, 16% in 2007/08; and 4% (1,285) were assumed to be unemployed, the same as in 2007/08 (See Tables 1 and 2).

Postgraduates

• Of the 61,745 former postgraduate students (both full-time and part-time excluding postgraduate certificate in education) whose destinations were known, 73% (44,790) were in employment only, compared to 75% in 2007/08; 9% (5,650) were in a combination of work and study, 10% in 2007/08; 8% (5,080) were involved in further study only, the same as in 2007/08; and 6% (3,555) were assumed to be unemployed, 4% in 2007/08 (See Tables 1 and 2).

Gender

• Overall, in 2008/09 10% of males whose destinations were known were assumed to be unemployed, compared to 6% of females; 8% and 5% respectively in 2007/08 (See Tables 1 and 2 and previous SFR, ref Notes to editors 4).

Key Points - England HEIs only

First degrees

• In 2008/09, there were 168,400 full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, compared to 163,580 in 2007/08. In 2008/09, 59% (100,175) were in employment only, 62% in 2007/08; 8% (12,725) were in a combination of work and study, the same as in 2007/08; 18% (30,160) were involved in further study only, 16% in 2007/08; and 10% (16,720) were assumed to be unemployed, 9% in 2007/08 (See Table 1a).
• Of the full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment only, 96% (96,235) were employed in the UK, the same as in 2007/08 (See Table 1a).
• In 2008/09 of the full-time first degree graduates who were employed in the UK, 30% of these posts were classified as Associate professional & technical occupations, compared to 31% in 2007/08, 25% as Professional occupations, 27% in 2007/08, 11% as Administrative & secretarial occupations, 12% in 2007/08 and 13% as Sales & customer service occupations, 11% in 2007/08. These are the occupational groups with the highest proportions of leavers (See Table 4a).
• Salary Of those first degree graduates (both full-time and part-time) reported as being in full-time paid employment in the UK in 2008/09, 53% disclosed their salary. The median salary reported (to the nearest £500) was £20,000, (£20,000 in 2007/08). The lower quartile was £15,000 and the upper quartile £24,000. The mean salary was £21,000 (£20,500 in 2007/08) (See Table 5).
• Part-time In 2008/09, of the 18,940 part-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, 65% (12,260) were in employment only, the same as in 2007/08; 15% (2,840) were in a combination of work and study, 16% in 2007/08; 6% (1,205) were involved in further study only, the same as in 2007/08; and 6% (1,215) were assumed to be unemployed, the same as in 2007/08 (See Table 2a).

Foundation degrees

• In 2008/09, there were 12,455 foundation degree graduates (both full-time and part-time) whose destinations were known, compared to 9,710 in 2007/08. In 2008/09, 36% (4,500) reported their first destination as employment only, the same as in 2007/08; 24% (2,965) were in a combination of work and study, 25% in 2007/08; 35% (4,335) were involved in further study only, 33% in 2007/08; and 3% (350) were assumed to be unemployed, the same as in 2007/08 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Other undergraduates

• In 2008/09, of the 25,755 leavers (both full-time and part-time) who obtained undergraduate diplomas and certificates (excluding foundation degree and professional graduate certificate in education) and whose destinations were known, 61% (15,685) were in employment only, compared to 62% in 2007/08; 16% (4,025) were in a combination of work and study, the same as in 2007/08; 16% (4,170) were in further study only, 15% in 2007/08; and 4% (1,040) were assumed to be unemployed, the same as in 2007/08 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Postgraduates

• Of the 51,700 former postgraduate students (both full-time and part-time excluding postgraduate certificate in education) whose destinations were known, 72% (37,215) were in employment only, compared to 74% in 2007/08; 9% (4,850) were in a combination of work and study, 10% in 2007/08; 8% (4,350) were involved in further study only, the same as in 2007/08; and 6% (2,995) were assumed to be unemployed, 4% in 2007/08 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Location of employment

• Of the leavers from HEIs in England whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment, 98% (103,550) of full-time first degree graduates found employment in England, 1% (550) in Scotland, 1% (1,215) in Wales and approximately 0% (490) in Northern Ireland. Similarly, 98% (26,255) of postgraduates and 99% (16,715) of other undergraduates found employment in England. This pattern of location of employment is similar to that in both 2007/08 and 2006/07 (See Table 6a).
• Of the leavers domiciled in England (prior to study), whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment, 98% (104,545) of full-time first degree graduates found employment in England, 1% (875) in Scotland, 1% (1,165) in Wales and approximately 0% (55) in Northern Ireland. Similarly, 98% (25,760) of postgraduates and 99% (16,525) of other undergraduates found employment in England. This pattern of location of employment is similar to that in both 2007/08 and 2006/07 (See Table 6b).

Key Points - Wales HEIs only

First degrees

• In 2008/09, there were 12,290 full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, compared to 12,225 in 2007/08. In 2008/09 60% (7,410) were in employment only, 61% in 2007/08; 8% (985) were in a combination of work and study, the same as in 2007/08; 19% (2,295) were involved in further study only, 17% in 2007/08; and 8% (1,030) were assumed to be unemployed, the same as in 2007/08 (See Table 1a).
• Of the full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment only, 96% (7,120) were employed in the UK, compared to 95% in 2007/08 (See Table 1a).
• In 2008/09 of the full-time first degree graduates who were employed in the UK, 31% of these posts were classified as Associate professional & technical occupations, compared to 29% in 2007/08, 20% as Professional occupations, 25% in 2007/08, 12% as Administrative & secretarial occupations, 13% in 2007/08 and 15% as Sales & customer service occupations, 12% in 2007/08. These are the occupational groups with the highest proportions of leavers (See Table 4a).
• Salary: Of those first degree graduates (both full-time and part-time) reported as being in full-time paid employment in the UK in 2008/09, 39% disclosed their salary. The median salary reported (to the nearest £500) was £19,000, (£19,000 in 2007/08). The lower quartile was £15,000 and the upper quartile £22,000. The mean salary was £19,500 (£19,000 in 2007/08) (See Table 5).
• Part time: In 2008/09, of the 745 part-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, 73% (545) were in employment only, compared to 71% in 2007/08; 13% (95) were in a combination of work and study, 18% in 2007/08; 5% (35) were involved in further study only, 3% in 2007/08; and 3% (25) were assumed to be unemployed, the same as in 2007/08 (See Table 2a).

Foundation degrees

• In 2008/09, there were 585 foundation degree graduates (both full-time and part-time) whose destinations were known, compared to 415 in 2007/08. In 2008/09, 38% (225) reported their first destination as employment only, 41% in 2007/08; 32% (190) were in a combination of work and study, 35% in 2007/08; 24% (145) were involved in further study only, 18% in 2007/08; and 3% (15) were assumed to be unemployed, 2% in 2007/08 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Other undergraduates

• In 2008/09, of the 2,115 leavers (both full-time and part-time) who obtained undergraduate diplomas and certificates (excluding foundation degree and professional graduate certificate in education) and whose destinations were known, 50% (1,055) were in employment only, compared to 51% in 2007/08; 24% (510) were in a combination of work and study, 21% in 2007/08; 18% (390) were in further study only, 21% in 2007/08; and 4% (85) were assumed to be unemployed, 3% in 2007/08 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Postgraduates

• Of the 2,890 former postgraduate students (both full-time and part-time excluding postgraduate certificate in education) whose destinations were known, 72% (2,085) were in employment only, compared to 74% in 2007/08; 10% (295) were in a combination of work and study, 11% in 2007/08; 7% (215) were involved in further study only, the same as in 2007/08; and 6% (165) were assumed to be unemployed, 4% in 2007/08 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Location of employment

• For leavers from HEIs in Wales whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment, 67% (1,260) of full-time postgraduate leavers, 62% (4,905) of full-time first degree leavers and 88% (515) of full-time other undergraduate leavers were employed in Wales. Most of those not employed in Wales were employed in England. These proportions are similar to those for 2007/08 leavers (See Table 6a).
• Of the leavers domiciled in Wales (prior to study), whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment, 73% (4,905) of full-time first degree graduates found employment in Wales, 1% (35) in Scotland, 26% (1,730) in England and 0% (0) in Northern Ireland. Similarly, 66% (1,265) of postgraduates and 77% (545) of other undergraduates found employment in Wales (See Table 6b).

Key Points - Scotland HEIs only

First degrees

• In 2008/09, there were 18,985 full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, compared to 18,435 in 2007/08. In 2008/09, 58% (11,055) were in employment only, 62% in 2007/08; 7% (1,340) were in a combination of work and study, the same as in 2007/08; 23% (4,350) were involved in further study only, 20% in 2007/08; and 7% (1,400) were assumed to be unemployed, 6% in 2007/08 (See Table 1a).
• Of the full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment only, 95% (10,545) were employed in the UK, the same as in 2007/08 (See Table 1a).
• In 2008/09 of the full-time first degree graduates who were employed in the UK, 28% of these posts were classified as Associate professional & technical occupations, compared to 29% in 2007/08, 31% as Professional occupations, 33% in 2007/08, 9% as Administrative & secretarial occupations, the same as in 2007/08 and 13% as Sales & customer service occupations, 11% in 2007/08. These are the occupational groups with the highest proportions of leavers (See Table 4a).
• Salary Of those first degree graduates (both full-time and part-time) reported as being in full-time paid employment in the UK in 2008/09, 46% disclosed their salary. The median salary reported (to the nearest £500) was £21,000, (£20,000 in 2007/08). The lower quartile was £16,000 and the upper quartile £25,000. The mean salary was £21,500 (£21,000 in 2007/08) (See Table 5).
• Part-time In 2008/09, of the 1,635 part-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, 79% (1,290) were in employment only, the same as in 2007/08; 10% (160) were in a combination of work and study, the same as in 2007/08; 6% (95) were involved in further study only, 5% in 2007/08; and 2% (40) were assumed to be unemployed, 3% in 2007/08 (See Table 2a).

Other undergraduates

• In 2008/09, of the 3,355 leavers (both full-time and part-time) who obtained undergraduate diplomas and certificates and whose destinations were known, 45% (1,515) were in employment only, compared to 52% in 2007/08; 10% (345) were in a combination of work and study, 14% 2007/08; 36% (1,205) were in further study only, 26% in 2007/08; and 5% (155) were assumed to be unemployed, 4% in 2007/08 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Postgraduates

• Of the 5,645 former postgraduate students (both full-time and part-time excluding postgraduate certificate in education) whose destinations were known, 76% (4,300) were in employment only, compared to 80% in 2007/08; 7% (375) were in a combination of work and study, 6% in 2007/08; 8% (445) were involved in further study only, the same as in 2007/08; and 6% (315) were assumed to be unemployed, 3% in 2007/08 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Location of employment

• Of full-time graduates from HEIs in Scotland whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment, 86% (14,035) were employed in Scotland, 12% (1,940), approximately 0% (40) and 1% (230) were employed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland respectively. Of full-time first degree graduates from Scottish HEIs 85% (9,680) stayed in Scotland to work, compared to 90% (3,305) of postgraduates and 94% (1,050) of other undergraduates (See Table 6a).
• Of full-time graduates domiciled in Scotland (prior to study), whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment, 90% (13,310) were employed in Scotland, the remainder were mainly employed in England. Of full-time first degree graduates domiciled from Scotland 90% (9,085) stayed in Scotland to work, compared to 88% (3,175) of postgraduates and 95% (1,050) of other undergraduates (See Table 6b).

Key Points - Northern Ireland HEIs only

First degrees

• In 2008/09, there were 5,670 full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, compared to 5,850 in 2007/08. In 2008/09, 61% (3,465) were in employment only, 66% in 2007/08; 10% (570) were in a combination of work and study, 7% in 2007/08; 17% (945) were involved in further study only, 14% in 2007/08; and 9% (490) were assumed to be unemployed, 8% in 2007/08 (See Table 1a).
• Of the full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment only, 96% (3,315) were employed in the UK, compared to 93% in 2007/08 (See Table 1a).
• In 2008/09 of the full-time first degree graduates who were employed in the UK, 20% of these posts were classified as Associate professional & technical occupations, compared to 23% in 2007/08, 32% as Professional occupations, 36% in 2007/08, 8% as Administrative & secretarial occupations, 10% in 2007/08 and 21% as Sales & customer service occupations, 14% in 2007/08. These are the occupational groups with the highest proportions of leavers (See Table 4a).
• Salary Of those first degree graduates (both full-time and part-time) reported as being in full-time paid employment in the UK in 2008/09, 47% disclosed their salary. The median salary reported (to the nearest £500) was £19,000, (£19,000 in 2007/08). The lower quartile was £14,000 and the upper quartile £22,000. The mean salary was £19,000 (£18,500 in 2007/08) (See Table 5).
• Part-time In 2008/09, of the 520 part-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, 77% (400) were in employment only, compared to 74% in 2007/08; 10% (50) were in a combination of work and study, the same as in 2007/08; 5% (25) were involved in further study only, the same as in 2007/08; and 4% (25) were assumed to be unemployed, 5% in 2007/08 (See Table 2a).

Other undergraduates

• In 2008/09, of the 150 leavers (both full-time and part-time) who obtained undergraduate diplomas and certificates (excluding foundation degree) and whose destinations were known, 63% (95) were in employment only, compared to 88% in 2007/08; 19% (30) were in a combination of work and study, 4% in 2007/08; 11% (15) were in further study only, 5% in 2007/08; and 4% were assumed to be unemployed, 1% in 2007/08. (See Tables 1a and 2a.)

Postgraduates

• Of the 1,510 former postgraduate students (both full-time and part-time excluding postgraduate certificate in education) whose destinations were known, 79% (1,190) were in employment only, compared to 82% in 2007/08; 8% (125) were in a combination of work and study, 7% in 2007/08; 5% (70) were involved in further study only, 4% in 2007/08; and 5% (80) were assumed to be unemployed, 4% in 2007/08 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Location of employment

• Of the leavers from HEIs in Northern Ireland, whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment in the UK, 94% (3,555) of full-time first degree leavers remained in Northern Ireland to take up employment and 6% (225) went to Great Britain. 95% (620) of full-time postgraduate leavers remained in Northern Ireland to take up employment and 5% (30) went to Great Britain (See Table 6a).

• Of the leavers domiciled in Northern Ireland (prior to study), whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment in the UK, 80% (4,175) of full-time first degree leavers remained in Northern Ireland to take up employment and 20% (1,070) went to Great Britain. 71% (750) of full-time postgraduate leavers remained in Northern Ireland to take up employment and 29% (310) went to Great Britain (See Table 6b).

Tables

Table 1 shows the Destinations of full-time UK and Other EU domiciled leavers obtaining HE qualifications by level of qualification obtained and gender, 2008/09, 2007/08 and 2006/07.

Table 1a shows the Destinations of full-time UK and Other EU domiciled leavers obtaining HE qualifications by location of institution and level of qualification obtained, 2008/09, 2007/08 and 2006/07.

Table 2 shows the Destinations of part-time UK and Other EU domiciled leavers obtaining HE qualifications by level of qualification obtained and gender, 2008/09, 2007/08 and 2006/07.

Table 2a shows the Destinations of part-time UK and Other EU domiciled leavers obtaining HE qualifications  by location of institution and level of qualification obtained, 2008/09, 2007/08 and 2006/07.

Table 3 shows the Destinations of full-time UK and Other EU domiciled first degree graduates by subject area of degree and gender, 2008/09, 2007/08 and 2006/07.

Table 4a shows the Occupation of full-time UK and Other EU domiciled first degree graduates entering employment in the UK by location of institution and subject area of degree, 2008/09, 2007/08 and 2006/07.

Table 4b shows the Industry of full-time UK and Other EU domiciled first degree graduates entering employment in the UK by location of institution and subject area of degree, 2008/09, 2007/08 and 2006/07.

Table 5 shows UK domiciled leavers who obtained first degree qualifications and entered full-time paid employment in the UK by location of institution, mode of study and salary, 2008/09 and 2007/08.

Table 6a shows the Geographical distribution of full-time UK domiciled leavers who entered employment within the UK by location of study, level of qualification obtained and location of employment, 2008/09, 2007/08 and 2006/07.

Table 6b shows the Geographical distribution of full-time UK domiciled leavers who entered employment within the UK by domicile, level of qualification obtained and location of employment 2008/09, 2007/08 and 2006/07.

Download all tables

None of the tables presented should be interpreted without reference to the Notes to editors and Definitions provided below.

Notes to Editors

1. The statistics in this SFR are derived by HESA from data collected from all publicly-funded higher education institutions (HEIs) in the UK (including The Open University) and from The University of Buckingham, which is privately funded. The figures therefore exclude HE qualifications obtained by students at further education colleges and at other private and independent HE colleges.
2. The 2008/09 Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) data includes all those students whose study was full-time or part-time (see Definition 5) and who obtained relevant qualifications (see Definition 3) reported to HESA for the reporting period 1 August 2008 to 31 July 2009.

3. The HESA DLHE Target Population contains all UK and European Union domiciled HE students for whom destinations data is expected and sought (see Definition 6). The figures presented in this SFR are based on information obtained by institutions and returned to HESA. Where the category ‘unknown' appears, the data relates both to non-respondents and to those leavers who have explicitly refused to answer the survey. Data on the number of unknowns is obtained by cross-checking the actual respondents with the total expected to reply, as returned in the 2008/09 HESA Student Record.

   In 2008/09, 294,495 full-time qualifiers responded from a target population of 371,285, which amounts to an overall response rate of 79% compared to 77% in 2007/08. 73,715 part-time qualifiers responded from a target population of 99,725, an overall response rate of 74% compared to 70% in 2007/08. These response rates include explicit refusals and are calculated separately from this SFR. They will be presented in a reference volume published by HESA (see Note 4).

   In this SFR the figures for whom destinations are known exclude explicit refusals, for which no other information is available. It can be seen from Table 1 that the percentage of records returned for full-time HE students is 77% (74% in 2007/08) and from Table 2 for part-time HE students 70% (66% in 2007/08).

4. A reference volume ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education 2008/09', setting out more information about the destinations of students qualifying at HEIs in the UK, will be published by HESA in August 2010.

   The 2007/08 DLHE SFR can be found here.

5. The Joint Academic Coding System (JACS) of subject classification has been used as the basis for HESA data and this SFR. A variant of the SOC2000 was created for the coding of occupational information for use in the DLHE survey; this classification is termed SOC (DLHE).

   From 2007/08 the aggregations reflect the Standard Industrial Classification economic activity sections as summarised in the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC 2007). To enable production of comparable time-series the new SIC categories have been grouped to fit with the old categories using this pdf.

6. 52% of UK domiciled leavers who obtained first degree qualifications and entered full-time paid employment in the UK disclosed their salary. HESA therefore advises caution in analysis of leavers by salary.
7. The qualification acronym ‘PGCE' has traditionally been understood to stand for ‘Post-Graduate Certificate in Education'. However, the academic level of PGCE courses does vary. In April 2005 the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education issued guidance in relation to the Framework for HE Qualifications, which introduced a distinction between those PGCEs pitched at a level equivalent to the final year of an undergraduate Honours degree and those pitched beyond Honours level. The existing postgraduate level qualification was augmented by a new undergraduate level version, entitled the ‘Professional Graduate Certificate in Education'. This change was reflected in the HESA Student Record from 2007/08. For purposes of time-series in this SFR, within Tables 1,1a, 2 and 2a where PGCEs are shown separately both postgraduate and undergraduate versions are included. Where the level of study disaggregation does not show PGCEs separately, ‘Postgraduate Certificates in Education' are included in ‘Postgraduate' totals and ‘Professional Graduate Certificates in Education' are included in ‘Other undergraduate' totals.
8. The wording of the further study question within the DLHE questionnaire was altered from 2007/08 to clarify that leavers registered as research students, not those employed as researchers, should respond to this question. The resulting effect of this change can be seen most notably in the fall in proportion of doctorate leavers appearing within the combination of employment and study category from the equivalent figure for 2006/07.

Definitions

1. HE students are those students on courses for which the level of instruction is above that of level 3 of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) National Qualifications Framework (NQF), e.g. courses at the level of Certificate of HE and above.

2. The survey dates for this DLHE return were 20 April 2009 (if the leaver obtained the qualification between 1 August 2008 and 31 December 2008) and 11 January 2010 (if the leaver obtained the qualification between 1 January 2009 and 31 July 2009). The reference dates of the 2007/08 DLHE return were 14 April 2008 and 12 January 2009 respectively.

   Leavers separately report what they are doing in relation to employment and study; this enables the following destination categories to be derived from DLHE:

   • Employment only
   • Combination of work and study
   • Further study only
   • Assumed to be unemployed.

   In addition, the destination category combination of work and study can be aggregated with the explicit employment only and further study only categories as follows:

   • In employment only or a combination of work and study
   • In study only or a combination of work and study.

   For further details see Definitions 8 to 10.

3. Qualifications

   Relevant qualifications for inclusion in the 2008/09 DLHE return are listed below in level of qualification obtained.

   The population for the DLHE return does not necessarily represent the full cohort graduating during the reporting period; examples of those excluded are professional qualifications (e.g. associate membership or membership of a body such as the Institute of Bankers) and undergraduate diplomas and certificates (other than foundation degrees, HND, DipHE, HNC and CertHE).

4. Level of qualification obtained

   Doctorate degrees and Postgraduate Certificates in Education have been tabulated separately;

   Other Postgraduate qualifications include masters degrees; other postgraduate qualifications obtained primarily through advanced supervised research; Masters of Business Administration (MBA); pre-registration masters degrees and other taught qualifications at level M leading towards obtaining eligibility to register to practice with a health or social care or veterinary statutory regulatory body; postgraduate bachelors degrees at level M; other taught qualifications at level M including those leading towards registration with the Architects Registration Board (Part 2 qualification).

   Doctorate degrees and Other postgraduate degrees have been combined to form the category Postgraduates.

   PGCE includes Postgraduate Certificates in Education and Professional Graduate Certificates in Education.

   First degree qualifications obtained include integrated undergraduate/postgraduate taught masters degrees on the enhanced/extended pattern, and first degrees with honours on the enhanced/extended pattern at level H; first degrees with honours/ordinary first degrees (including those leading to qualified teacher status (QTS)/registration with a General Teaching Council (GTC), but excluding those from the intercalated pattern); first degrees with honours leading towards registration with the Architects Registration Board (Part 1 qualification); pre-registration first degrees with honours/ordinary first degrees leading towards obtaining eligibility to register to practice with a health or social care or veterinary statutory regulatory body; first degrees with honours and diploma; postgraduate bachelors degrees at level H.

   Foundation degrees have been shown separately. Foundation degrees were first introduced in September 2001 in prototype form and serve as a higher education qualification with a vocational focus.

   Other undergraduate qualifications obtained include graduate diplomas/certificates at level H; other qualifications at level H including those leading towards registration with the Architects Registration Board (Part 2 qualification); graduate diplomas/certificates at level I; Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHE) (including those leading towards obtaining eligibility to register to practice with a health or social care or veterinary statutory regulatory body); Higher National Diplomas (HND); Certificates of Higher Education (CertHE); Higher National Certificates (HNC).

5. Mode of study

   Full-time includes full-time and sandwich modes plus those writing-up where the mode of study was previously full-time and students changing to dormant status previously full-time.

   Part-time includes those studying part-time, full-time for less than 24 weeks in the academic year, block release or studying during the evenings, plus those writing-up theses and previously part-time.

6. Domicile

   UK domiciled students are those whose normal residence is in the UK, including those living in Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man. Other European Union (Other EU) students are those whose normal residence is in countries which were EU members or in their designated territories as at 1 December 2008.

7. Location of employment

   Respondents to the HESA DLHE survey were asked to supply the location of their employment or further study. Where this was unknown but the activity was full-time paid work only, part-time paid work only or voluntary/unpaid work only, a United Kingdom location of employment has been assumed. These numbers are, however, relatively small. The unknown location of employment assumed to be in UK employment for Table 1 is 0.6% of the total of UK Employment and 0.5% for Table 2.

8. Employment

   The category Employment only includes those students who gave their employment circumstances as employed full-time, employed part-time, self-employed/freelance, voluntary work/other unpaid work and who are also not in study.

   The category Combination of work and study includes those students who gave their employment circumstances as employed full-time, employed part-time, self-employed/freelance, voluntary work/other unpaid work and who are also either in full-time study or part-time study.

   The category Full-time employment only includes those students who gave their employment circumstances as employed full-time or self-employed/freelance and who are also not in study.

9. Further study

   The category Further study includes those who gave their employment circumstances as temporarily sick or unable to work/looking after the home or family, not employed but not looking for employment, further study or training, or something else, and who were also either in full-time or part-time study, training or research. It also includes those who were due to start a job within the next month or unemployed and looking for employment, further study or training, and who were also in full-time study, training or research

10. Unemployment

    The category Assumed to be unemployed includes those students who gave their employment circumstances as unemployed and looking for employment, further study or training and also includes those due to start work within one month, unless leaver is also in full-time study.

    In Tables 1, 1a, 2, 2a and 3, the category Others includes those students who are not in study and also either gave their employment circumstances as not employed but NOT looking for employment, further study or training or something else.

11. Unknown

    This category includes non-respondents and explicit refusals, and is used in Tables 1, 1a, 2, 2a and 3.

12. Salary

    Describes the annual salary surveyed to the nearest thousand pounds before tax, for leavers in full-time paid employment. Provision of salary information may legitimately be refused. Salary calculations in Table 5 are expressed to the nearest £500.

13. Location of institution

    The allocation of an institution to a geographical region is done by reference to the administrative centre of that institution. There may be students registered at institutions who are studying in regions other than that of the administrative centre of the institution.

    The Open University is counted as a wholly English institution. The administrative centre is located in England, although The Open University teaches throughout the UK.

14. Rounding Strategy

    In the text and tables the figures presented are rounded. 0, 1 and 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down, to the nearest multiple of 5. This rounding strategy is also applied to totals figures, a consequence of which is that the sum of numbers in each row or column rarely precisely matches the totals shown. Percentages are calculated on the base data and are suppressed if they are calculated on a population which contains 52 or fewer individuals. These cases are represented as '..'.

Press enquiries should be directed to the Press Office at the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), 95 Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1HZ, telephone 01242 211120. General enquiries about the data contained within this SFR should be addressed to James McLaren, Information Provision Manager, HESA (at the same address), telephone 01242 211133.

ENDS