How do HE leavers' activities vary by subject studied?
In 2016/17, the activities of leavers from APs varied between subjects. Among full-time first degree leavers from designated courses, the subjects with the highest percentages of leavers in work or further study were architecture, building & planning, subjects allied to medicine, engineering & technology and creative arts & design. Computer science had the lowest percentage of leavers in work or further study. Note that some percentages are based on small populations.
Figure 6 shows details of those leavers from APs who have a known destination and enter employment in the UK. This includes leavers working full and part-time and those combining work with further study. In 2016/17, of the full-time first degree leavers from designated courses at APs who were employed in the UK, 64% were in posts classified as professional employment. In comparison, 74% of full-time first degree leavers from publicly funded HE providers who were employed in the UK were in professional occupations (source: HESA).
Of the full-time other undergraduate leavers from designated courses at APs who were employed in the UK, 40% were in posts classified as professional employment. An additional 20% were in caring, leisure and other service occupations, making it the largest group of all occupations.
Figure 7 shows variations in the industries of leavers entering employment (including leavers entering full and part-time employment and those combining work with further study) by subject of degree. In 2016/17, of full-time first degree leavers from designated courses at APs who were employed in the UK with known Standard Industrial Classification, the industry with the largest number of leavers at 29%, was the arts, entertainment and recreation industry.
Of full-time other undergraduate leavers from designated courses at APs who were employed in the UK with known Standard Industrial Classification, the industry with the largest number of leavers, at 17%, was human health and social work activities. The second largest industry at 12%, was wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles.
