Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education in the United Kingdom for the academic year 2007/08

2 July 2009

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 2007/08. The data presented draws on the 2007/08 Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) record.

Key Points - All UK HEIs

First degrees

• In 2007/08, there were 200,090 full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, compared to 190,385 in 2006/07. In 2007/08, 62% (124,065) were in employment only, 64% in 2006/07; 8% (15,265) were in a combination of work and study, 9% in 2006/07; 17% (33,170) were involved in further study only, 16% in 2006/07; and 8% (16,835) were assumed to be unemployed, 6% in 2006/07 (See Table 1).
• Of the full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment only, 96% (118,920) were employed in the UK, the same as in 2006/07 (See Table 1).
• In 2007/08 of the full-time first degree graduates who were employed in the UK, 30% of these posts were classified as Associate professional & technical occupations, 32% in 2006/07, 27% as Professional occupations, the same as in 2006/07, 12% as Administrative & secretarial occupations, 13% in 2006/07 and 11% as Sales & customer service occupations, 10% in 2006/07. These are the occupational groups with the highest proportions of posts (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 0% and Education 3%, to 12% for Mass communications & documentation and 14% 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 2007/08, 52% disclosed their salary. The median salary reported (to the nearest £500) was £20,000, (£19,000 in 2006/07). The lower quartile was £15,000 and the upper quartile £24,000. The mean salary was £20,500 (£20,000 in 2006/07) (See Table 5).
• Part-time In 2007/08, of the 21,885 part-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, 66% (14,520) were in employment only, compared to 69% in 2006/07; 15% (3,305) were in a combination of work and study, the same as in 2006/07; 6% (1,350) were involved in further study only, the same as in 2006/07; and 5% (1,155) were assumed to be unemployed, 4% in 2006/07 (See Table 2).

Foundation degree

• In 2007/08, there were 10,150 foundation degree graduates (both full-time and part-time) whose destinations were known, compared to 8,425 in 2006/07. In 2007/08, 37% (3,715) reported their first destination as employment only, compared to 34% in 2006/07; 25% (2,580) were in a combination of work and study, compared to 26% in 2006/07; 32% (3,285) were involved in further study only, 35% in 2006/07; and 3% (300) were assumed to be unemployed, 2% in 2006/07 (See Tables 1 and 2).

Other undergraduates

• In 2007/08, of the 33,920 leavers (both full-time and part-time) who obtained undergraduate diplomas and certificates (excluding foundation degrees and professional graduate certificate in education) and whose destinations were known, 61% (20,755) were in employment only, 59% in 2006/07; 16% (5,280) were in a combination of work and study, the same as in 2006/07; 16% (5,355) were in further study only, 17% in 2006/07; and 4% (1,265) were assumed to be unemployed, the same as in 2006/07 (See Tables 1 and 2).

Postgraduates

• Of the 57,035 former postgraduate students (both full-time and part-time excluding postgraduate certificate in education) whose destinations were known, 75% (42,610) were in employment only, 73% in 2006/07; 10% (5,460) were in a combination of work and study, compared to 12% in 2006/07; 8% (4,405) were involved in further study only, the same as in 2006/07; and 4% (2,280) were assumed to be unemployed, 3% in 2006/07 (See Tables 1 and 2).

Gender

• Overall, in 2007/08 8% of males whose destinations were known were assumed to be unemployed, compared to 5% of females; 6% and 4% respectively in 2006/07 (See Tables 1 and 2 and previous SFR, ref notes to editors 4).

Key Points - England HEIs only

First degrees

• In 2007/08, there were 163,580 full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, compared to 154,545 in 2006/07. In 2007/08, 62% (101,300) were in employment only, compared to 64% in 2006/07; 8% (12,580) were in a combination of work and study, 9% in 2006/07; 16% (26,605) were involved in further study only, the same as in 2006/07; and 9% (14,200) were assumed to be unemployed, 6% in 2006/07 (See Table 1a).
• Of the full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment only, 96% (97,385) were employed in the UK, the same as in 2006/07 (See Table 1a).
• In 2007/08 of the full-time first degree graduates who were employed in the UK, 31% of these posts were classified as Associate professional & technical occupations, 32% in 2006/07, 27% as Professional occupations, 26% in 2006/07, 12% as Administrative & secretarial occupations, 13% in 2006/07 and 11% as Sales & customer service occupations, 9% in 2006/07. These are the occupational groups with the highest proportions of posts (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 2007/08, 53% disclosed their salary. The median salary reported (to the nearest £500) was £20,000, (£19,000 in 2006/07). The lower quartile was £16,000 and the upper quartile £24,000. The mean salary was £20,500 (£20,500 in 2006/07) (See Table 5).
• Part-time In 2007/08, of the 18,870 part-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, 65% (12,220) were in employment only, compared to 67% in 2006/07; 16% (2,945) were in a combination of work and study the same as in 2006/07; 6% (1,220) were involved in further study only, the same as in 2006/07; and 6% (1,050) were assumed to be unemployed, 4% in 2006/07 (See Table 2a).

Foundation degree

• In 2007/08, there were 9,710 foundation degree graduates (both full-time and part-time) whose destinations were known, compared to 8,010 in 2006/07. In 2007/08, 36% (3,530) reported their first destination as employment only, compared to 34% in 2006/07; 25% (2,430) were in a combination of work and study, compared to 26% in 2006/07; 33% (3,200) were involved in further study only, 36% in 2006/07; and 3% (290) were assumed to be unemployed, 2% in 2006/07 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Other undergraduates

• In 2007/08, of the 27,970 leavers (both full-time and part-time) who obtained undergraduate diplomas and certificates (excluding foundation degrees and professional graduate certificate in education) and whose destinations were known, 62% (17,400) were in employment only, 60% in 2006/07; 16% (4,390) were in a combination of work and study, the same as in 2006/07; 15% (4,090) were in further study only, 16% in 2006/07; and 4% (1,080) were assumed to be unemployed, the same as in 2006/07 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Postgraduates

• Of the 47,660 former postgraduate students (both full-time and part-time excluding postgraduate certificate in education) whose destinations were known, 74% (35,275) were in employment only, compared to 72% in 2006/07; 10% (4,765) were in a combination of work and study, 13% in 2006/07; 8% (3,745) were involved in further study only, the same as in 2006/07; and 4% (1,930) were assumed to be unemployed, 3% in 2006/07 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Location of employment

• Of the leavers from England HEIs whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment, 98% (104,840) of full-time first degree graduates found employment in England, 1% (580) in Scotland, 1% (1,305) in Wales and 0% (445) in Northern Ireland. Similarly, 97% (24,775) of full-time postgraduates and 99% (17,975) of full-time other undergraduates found employment in England. This pattern of location of employment was similar to both 2006/07 and 2005/06 (See Table 6a).
• Of the leavers domiciled from England whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment, 98% (106,095) of full-time first degree graduates found employment in England, 1% (920) in Scotland, 1% (1,240) in Wales and 0% (65) in Northern Ireland. Similarly, 98% (24,310) of full-time postgraduates and 99% (17,815) of full-time other undergraduates found employment in England. This pattern of location of employment was similar to both 2006/07 and 2005/06 (See Table 6b).

Key Points - Wales HEIs only

First degrees

• In 2007/08, there were 12,225 full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, compared to 11,380 in 2006/07. In 2007/08, 61% (7,435) were in employment only, compared to 62% in 2006/07; 8% (985) were in a combination of work and study, 10% in 2006/07; 17% (2,120) were involved in further study only, the same as in 2006/07; and 8% (1,015) were assumed to be unemployed, 6% in 2006/07 (See Table 1a).
• Of the full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment only, 95% (7,065) were employed in the UK, compared to 96% in 2006/07 (See Table 1a).
• In 2007/08 of the full-time first degree graduates who were employed in the UK, 29% of these posts were classified as Associate professional & technical occupations, 31% in 2006/07, 25% as Professional occupations, 23% in 2006/07, 13% as Administrative & secretarial occupations, 14% in 2006/07 and 12% as Sales & customer service occupations, the same as in 2006/07. These are the occupational groups with the highest proportions of posts (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 2007/08, 40% disclosed their salary. The median salary reported (to the nearest £500) was £19,000, (£18,000 in 2006/07). The lower quartile was £15,000 and the upper quartile £22,000. The mean salary was £19,000 (£18,500 in 2006/07) (See Table 5).
• Part-time In 2007/08, of the 720 part-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, 71% (510) were in employment only, the same as in 2006/07; 18% (130) were in a combination of work and study, the same as in 2006/07; 3% (25) were involved in further study only, 4% in 2006/07; and 3% (20) were assumed to be unemployed, 2% in 2006/07 (See Table 2a).

Foundation degree

• In 2007/08, there were 415 foundation degree graduates (both full-time and part-time) whose destinations were known, compared to 300 in 2006/07. In 2007/08, 41% (170) reported their first destination as employment only, compared to 39% in 2006/07; 35% (145) were in a combination of work and study, compared to 39% in 2006/07; 18% (75) were involved in further study only, the same as in 2006/07; and 2% (10) were assumed to be unemployed, 3% in 2006/07 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Other undergraduates

• In 2007/08, of the 2,100 leavers (both full-time and part-time) who obtained undergraduate diplomas and certificates (excluding foundation degrees and professional graduate certificate in education) and whose destinations were known, 51% (1,065) were in employment only, 49% in 2006/07; 21% (435) were in a combination of work and study, 22% in 2006/07; 21% (440) were in further study only, compared with 20% in 2006/07; and 3% (65) were assumed to be unemployed, the same as in 2006/07 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Postgraduates

• Of the 2,680 former postgraduate students (both full-time and part-time excluding postgraduate certificate in education) whose destinations were known, 74% (1,970) were in employment only, 69% in 2006/07; 11% (285) were in a combination of work and study, compared to 15% in 2006/07; 7% (185) were involved in further study only, 8% in 2006/07; and 4% (115) were assumed to be unemployed, the same as in 2006/07 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Location of employment

• For leavers from Wales HEIs whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment, 67% (1,135) of full-time postgraduate leavers, 58% (4,575) of full-time first degree leavers and 77% (525) 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 2006/07 leavers (See Table 6a).
• Of the leavers domiciled from Wales whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment, 72% (4,620) of full-time first degree graduates found employment in Wales, 1% (35) in Scotland, 28% (1,795) in England and 0% (5) in Northern Ireland. Similarly, 65% (1,155) of full-time postgraduates and 77% (530) of full-time other undergraduates found employment in Wales (See Table 6b).

Key Points - Scotland HEIs only

First degrees

• In 2007/08, there were 18,435 full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, compared to 18,775 in 2006/07. In 2007/08, 62% (11,475) were in employment only, 64% in 2006/07; 7% (1,265) were in a combination of work and study, the same as in 2006/07; 20% (3,635) were involved in further study only, 19% in 2006/07; and 6% (1,165) were assumed to be unemployed, 5% in 2006/07 (See Table 1a).
• Of the full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment only, 95% (10,870) were employed in the UK, 94% in 2006/07 (See Table 1a).
• In 2007/08 of the full-time first degree graduates who were employed in the UK, 29% of these posts were classified as Associate professional & technical occupations, 30% in 2006/07, 33% as Professional occupations, 34% in 2006/07, 9% as Administrative & secretarial occupations, 10% in 2006/07 and 11% as Sales & customer service occupations, 10% in 2006/07. These are the occupational groups with the highest proportions of posts (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 2007/08, 47% disclosed their salary. The median salary reported (to the nearest £500) was £20,000, (£19,000 in 2006/07). The lower quartile was £16,000 and the upper quartile £24,000. The mean salary was £21,000 (£20,000 in 2006/07) (See Table 5).
• Part-time In 2007/08, of the 1,725 part-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, 79% (1,365) were in employment only, compared to 78% in 2006/07; 10% (170) were in a combination of work and study, 12% in 2006/07; 5% (80) were involved in further study only, the same as in 2006/07; and 3% (55) were assumed to be unemployed, 2% in 2006/07 (See Table 2a).

Other undergraduates

• In 2007/08, of the 3,010 leavers (both full-time and part-time) who obtained undergraduate diplomas and certificates and whose destinations were known, 52% (1,555) were in employment only, 54% in 2006/07; 14% (425) were in a combination of work and study, 11% 2006/07; 26% (780) were in further study only, 27% in 2006/07; and 4% (110) were assumed to be unemployed, 3% in 2006/07 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Postgraduates

• Of the 5,450 former postgraduate students (both full-time and part-time excluding postgraduate certificate in education) whose destinations were known, 80% (4,345) were in employment only, 77% in 2006/07; 6% (325) were in a combination of work and study, 9% in 2006/07; 8% (430) were involved in further study only, the same as in 2006/07; and 3% (190) were assumed to be unemployed, the same as in 2006/07 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Location of employment

• Of the full-time leavers from Scotland HEIs whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment, 87% (14,800) were employed in Scotland, 12% (2,015), 0% (30) and 1% (225) were employed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland respectively. Of full-time first degree graduates from Scotland HEIs 84% (9,865) stayed in Scotland to work, compared to 91% (3,720) of full-time postgraduates and 96% (1,220) of full-time other undergraduates (See Table 6a).
• Of the full-time leavers domiciled from Scotland whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment, 90% (14,080) were employed in Scotland, the remainder were mainly employed in England. Of full-time first degree graduates domiciled from Scotland 89% (9,255) stayed in Scotland to work, compared to 90% (3,610) of full-time postgraduates and 95% (1,215) of full-time other undergraduates (See Table 6b).

Key Points - Northern Ireland HEIs only

First degrees

• In 2007/08, there were 5,850 full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, compared to 5,685 in 2006/07. In 2007/08, 66% (3,855) were in employment only, compared to 69% in 2006/07; 7% (435) were in a combination of work and study, the same as in 2006/07; 14% (815) were involved in further study only, 16% in 2006/07; and 8% (455) were assumed to be unemployed, compared to 4% in 2006/07 (See Table 1a).
• Of the full-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment only, 93% (3,600) were employed in the UK, 92% in 2006/07 (See Table 1a).
• In 2007/08 of the full-time first degree graduates who were employed in the UK, 23% of these posts were classified as Associate professional & technical occupations, 25% in 2006/07, 36% as Professional occupations, 39% in 2006/07, 10% as Administrative & secretarial occupations, 12% in 2006/07 and 14% as Sales & customer service occupations, 11% in 2006/07. These are the occupational groups with the highest proportions of posts (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 2007/08, 45% disclosed their salary. The median salary reported (to the nearest £500) was £19,000, (£19,000 in 2006/07). The lower quartile was £14,000 and the upper quartile £21,000. The mean salary was £18,500 (£18,500 in 2006/07) (See Table 5).
• Part-time In 2007/08, of the 575 part-time first degree graduates whose destinations were known, 74% (425) were in employment only, compared to 77% in 2006/07; 10% (60) were in a combination of work and study the same as in 2006/07; 5% (25) were involved in further study only, 6% in 2006/07; and 5% (30) were assumed to be unemployed, 2% in 2006/07 (See Table 2a).

Other undergraduates

• In 2007/08, of the 840 leavers (both full-time and part-time) who obtained undergraduate diplomas and certificates (excluding foundation degrees) and whose destinations were known, 88% (740) were in employment only, the same as in 2006/07; 4% (35) were in a combination of work and study, 6% in 2006/07; 5% (45) were in further study only, 2% in 2006/07; and 1% were assumed to be unemployed, the same as in 2006/07 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Postgraduates

• Of the 1,245 former postgraduate students (both full-time and part-time excluding postgraduate certificate in education) whose destinations were known, 82% (1,020) were in employment only, 79% in 2006/07; 7% (85) were in a combination of work and study, compared to 9% in 2006/07; 4% (50) were involved in further study only, 6% in 2006/07; and 4% (45) were assumed to be unemployed, 3% in 2006/07 (See Tables 1a and 2a).

Location of employment

• Of the leavers from Northern Ireland HEIs, whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment in the UK, 94%(3,700) of full-time first degree leavers remained in Northern Ireland to take up employment and 6% (220) went to Great Britain. 94% (475) of full-time postgraduate leavers remained in Northern Ireland to take up employment and 6% (30) went to Great Britain (See Table 6a).
• Of the leavers domiciled from Northern Ireland, whose destinations were known and reported as being in employment in the UK, 80%(4,270) of full-time first degree leavers remained in Northern Ireland to take up employment and 20% (1,080) went to Great Britain. 66% (605) of full-time postgraduate leavers remained in Northern Ireland to take up employment and 34% (305) 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, 2007/08, 2006/07 and 2005/06.

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, 2007/08, 2006/07 and 2005/06.

Table 2 shows the Destinations of part-time UK and Other EU domiciled leavers obtaining HE qualifications by level of qualification obtained and gender, 2007/08, 2006/07 and 2005/06.

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, 2007/08, 2006/07 and 2005/06.

Table 3 shows the Destinations of full-time UK and Other EU domiciled first degree graduates by subject area of degree and gender, 2007/08, 2006/07 and 2005/06.

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, 2007/08, 2006/07 and 2005/06.

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, 2007/08, 2006/07 and 2005/06.

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, 2007/08 and 2006/07.

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, 2007/08, 2006/07 and 2005/06.

Table 6b (new) 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 2007/08, 2006/07 and 2005/06.

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 2007/08 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 2007 to 31 July 2008.

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 2007/08 HESA Student Record.

   In 2007/08, 284,610 full-time qualifiers responded from a target population of 371,900, which amounts to an overall response rate of 77% the same as in 2006/07. 71,730 part-time qualifiers responded from a target population of 102,560, an overall response rate of 70% the same as in 2006/07. These response rates include explicit refusals and are calculated separately from the 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 whom no other information is available. It can be seen from Table 1 that the percentage of records returned for full-time HE students is 74% (75% in 2006/07) and from Table 2 for part-time HE students 66% (67% in 2006/07).

4. A reference volume ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education 2007/08,' setting out more information about the destinations of students qualifying at HEIs in the UK, will be published by HESA in August 2009.

   The 2006/07 DLHE SFR can be found at:http://www.hesa.ac.uk/index.php/content/view/1237/161/.

5. The Joint Academic Coding System (JACS) of subject classification has been used as the basis for the HESA returns 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: www.statistics.gov.uk/methods_quality/sic/downloads/SIC2007explanatorynotes.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 for 2007/08 to clarify that leavers registered as research students, but not those employed as researchers, should indicate this in 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 reference dates for this DLHE return were 14 April 2008 (if the leaver obtained the qualification between 1 August 2007 and 31 December 2007) and 12 January 2009 (if the leaver obtained the qualification between 1 January 2008 and 31 July 2008). The reference dates of the 2006/07 DLHE return were 16 April 2006 and 14 January 2007 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:

   For further details see Definitions 10 to 13. 

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

3. Qualifications

   Relevant qualifications for inclusion in the 2007/08 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 includes 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 the 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 includes 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 and dormant 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

   Tables 1 to 4 include students who are normally resident in the United Kingdom, including those living in the Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man, and those students who are normally resident in countries which were, as at 1 December in the relevant academic year, Other European Union (Other EU) members, or in their designated territories. Tables 5 and 6 include students who are normally resident in the United Kingdom, including those living in the Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man only. 

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 0.2% of the total of UK Employment and 0.2% 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 who are also either in part-time study or not in study, together with those due to start a job within the next month and who are also either in part-time study or not in 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 to the nearest thousand pounds before tax, for leavers in paid employment. Salary information may legitimately be refused. 

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.     

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 (unrounded) 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: Tel: 01242 211120. General enquiries about the data contained within this SFR should be addressed to Denise Jones, Head of Information Services, HESA (at the same address): Tel: 01242 211133.

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