More UK first degree graduates entering employment
The HESA electronic publication Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2009/10 is published today. The publication provides detailed results of the Destinations of Leavers from HE survey, which asks graduates what they are doing six months after graduation.
When compared with last year’s statistics, the publication shows that a higher proportion of graduates entered employment, fewer went into further study, and a lower proportion were unemployed.
| UK domicile first degree leavers by activity | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activity | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | ||
| Work only | 133220 | 61.3% | 145345 | 64.5% |
| Work and further study | 17930 | 8.2% | 17745 | 7.9% |
| Further study only | 34740 | 16.0% | 31650 | 14.0% |
| Assumed to be unemployed | 20120 | 9.3% | 19785 | 8.8% |
| Not available for employment | 8625 | 4.0% | 7945 | 3.5% |
| Other | 2710 | 1.2% | 2830 | 1.3% |
| Total | 217345 | 100.0% | 225305 | 100.0% |
| Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09 and 2009/10 | ||||
| See Annex below for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland figures | ||||
Employment circumstances
Of those first degree graduates who entered employment (including those both working and studying), fewer entered part-time paid work, while more were self employed. The proportion of leavers who were employed in full-time paid work remained roughly the same from 2008/09 to 2009/10.
| UK domicile first degree leavers entering employment* by employment circumstances | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment circumstances | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | ||
| Employed full-time in paid work | 107890 | 71.4% | 116635 | 71.5% |
| Employed part-time in paid work | 32240 | 21.3% | 33995 | 20.8% |
| Self-employed/freelance | 6130 | 4.1% | 7225 | 4.4% |
| Voluntary work/other unpaid work | 4895 | 3.2% | 5235 | 3.2% |
| Total | 151150 | 100.0% | 163090 | 100.0% |
| * See note 4. Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09 and 2009/10 | ||||
| See Annex below for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland figures | ||||
Further study
Of those first degree graduates who entered further study (including those both working and studying), a higher proportion were studying for professional qualifications compared to 2008/09.
| UK domicile first degree leavers who entered further study* by qualification aim | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualification aim | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | ||
| Higher degree by research | 4370 | 8.3% | 4175 | 8.5% |
| Higher degree by taught course | 19790 | 37.6% | 18345 | 37.1% |
| Postgraduate diploma or certificate | 11360 | 21.6% | 10240 | 20.7% |
| First degree | 2590 | 4.9% | 2290 | 4.6% |
| Other diploma or certificate | 2490 | 4.7% | 2225 | 4.5% |
| Professional qualification | 7265 | 13.8% | 7590 | 15.4% |
| Other qualification | 2940 | 5.6% | 2605 | 5.3% |
| Not aiming for a qualification | 1865 | 3.5% | 1915 | 3.9% |
| Total | 52670 | 100.0% | 49395 | 100.0% |
| * See note 4. Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09 and 2009/10 | ||||
| See Annex below for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland figures | ||||
Destinations publication
Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2009/10 includes detailed coverage of the DLHE survey results, including analysis of data by mode and level of study completed, further study after graduation, and industrial and occupational classification of employment.
Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2009/10 is available as an electronic publication for purchase and immediate download from http://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/publications.
Results of the Destinations of Leavers from HE Longitudinal Survey, asking leavers from 2006/07 what they were doing three and a half years after graduation, will be published in early September 2011.
Notes for editors
- Press enquiries should be directed to:
- HESA Press Office
- 01242 211120
- [email protected]
- 95 Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1HZ.
- In the above data 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5. Percentages are calculated on un-rounded numbers.
- Numbers and percentages in the tables above include both full and part-time first degree qualifiers, but exclude those who explicitly refused to give information. Percentages in tables have been rounded to one decimal place and may not sum exactly to 100%.
- * ‘Employment’ includes those in both employment and further study. ‘Further study’ also includes those in both employment and further study.
- Details about the HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey can be found on this web page.
- The data tables above relate to all UK HE institutions. Figures for the individual nations of the UK are available below [England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland].
- Definitions of the terms used in this press release can be found on our definitions pages.
Ends
Annex - equivalent tables for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
England
| UK domicile first degree leavers from HEIs in England by activity | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activity | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | ||
| Work only | 109735 | 61.1% | 120870 | 64.4% |
| Work and further study | 14905 | 8.3% | 14880 | 7.9% |
| Further study only | 28030 | 15.6% | 25730 | 13.7% |
| Assumed to be unemployed | 17265 | 9.6% | 16880 | 9.0% |
| Not available for employment | 7240 | 4.0% | 6730 | 3.6% |
| Other | 2440 | 1.4% | 2510 | 1.3% |
| Total | 179615 | 100.0% | 187600 | 100.0% |
| Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09 and 2009/10 | ||||
| UK domicile first degree leavers from HEIs in England entering employment* by employment circumstances | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment circumstances | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | ||
| Employed full-time in paid work | 88875 | 71.3% | 97040 | 71.5% |
| Employed part-time in paid work | 26155 | 21.0% | 27735 | 20.4% |
| Self-employed/freelance | 5330 | 4.3% | 6360 | 4.7% |
| Voluntary work/other unpaid work | 4280 | 3.4% | 4615 | 3.4% |
| Total | 124640 | 100.0% | 135750 | 100.0% |
| * See note 4. Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09 and 2009/10 | ||||
| UK domicile first degree leavers from HEIs in England who entered further study* by qualification aim | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualification aim | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | ||
| Higher degree by research | 3405 | 7.9% | 3265 | 8.0% |
| Higher degree by taught course | 16345 | 38.1% | 15055 | 37.1% |
| Postgraduate diploma or certificate | 8990 | 20.9% | 8175 | 20.1% |
| First degree | 1840 | 4.3% | 1785 | 4.4% |
| Other diploma or certificate | 1950 | 4.5% | 1760 | 4.3% |
| Professional qualification | 6415 | 14.9% | 6765 | 16.7% |
| Other qualification | 2410 | 5.6% | 2155 | 5.3% |
| Not aiming for a qualification | 1580 | 3.7% | 1645 | 4.1% |
| Total | 42935 | 100.0% | 40610 | 100.0% |
| * See note 4. Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09 and 2009/10 | ||||
Wales
| UK domicile first degree leavers from HEIs in Wales by activity | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activity | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | ||
| Work only | 7790 | 62.0% | 8220 | 64.4% |
| Work and further study | 1020 | 8.1% | 1045 | 8.2% |
| Further study only | 2140 | 17.0% | 1995 | 15.6% |
| Assumed to be unemployed | 1010 | 8.1% | 950 | 7.4% |
| Not available for employment | 495 | 4.0% | 435 | 3.4% |
| Other | 100 | 0.8% | 120 | 0.9% |
| Total | 12550 | 100.0% | 12765 | 100.0% |
| Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09 and 2009/10 | ||||
| UK domicile first degree leavers from HEIs in Wales entering employment* by employment circumstances | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment circumstances | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | ||
| Employed full-time in paid work | 6215 | 70.6% | 6450 | 69.6% |
| Employed part-time in paid work | 2025 | 23.0% | 2215 | 23.9% |
| Self-employed/freelance | 320 | 3.6% | 325 | 3.5% |
| Voluntary work/other unpaid work | 250 | 2.8% | 275 | 3.0% |
| Total | 8805 | 100.0% | 9270 | 100.0% |
| * See note 4. Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09 and 2009/10 | ||||
| UK domicile first degree leavers from HEIs in Wales who entered further study* by qualification aim | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualification aim | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | ||
| Higher degree by research | 250 | 8.0% | 225 | 7.4% |
| Higher degree by taught course | 1250 | 39.7% | 1245 | 41.0% |
| Postgraduate diploma or certificate | 750 | 23.8% | 705 | 23.2% |
| First degree | 145 | 4.5% | 130 | 4.3% |
| Other diploma or certificate | 180 | 5.6% | 140 | 4.7% |
| Professional qualification | 265 | 8.4% | 275 | 9.0% |
| Other qualification | 195 | 6.1% | 200 | 6.5% |
| Not aiming for a qualification | 120 | 3.8% | 115 | 3.8% |
| Total | 3155 | 100.0% | 3040 | 100.0% |
| * See note 4. Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09 and 2009/10 | ||||
Scotland
| UK domicile first degree leavers from HEIs in Scotland by activity | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activity | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | ||
| Work only | 12000 | 62.1% | 12480 | 66.1% |
| Work and further study | 1405 | 7.3% | 1230 | 6.5% |
| Further study only | 3675 | 19.0% | 3035 | 16.1% |
| Assumed to be unemployed | 1380 | 7.1% | 1370 | 7.3% |
| Not available for employment | 715 | 3.7% | 595 | 3.1% |
| Other | 145 | 0.8% | 185 | 1.0% |
| Total | 19320 | 100.0% | 18890 | 100.0% |
| Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09 and 2009/10 | ||||
| UK domicile first degree leavers from HEIs in Scotland entering employment* by employment circumstances | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment circumstances | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | ||
| Employed full-time in paid work | 9800 | 73.1% | 10140 | 74.0% |
| Employed part-time in paid work | 2900 | 21.6% | 2850 | 20.8% |
| Self-employed/freelance | 415 | 3.1% | 450 | 3.3% |
| Voluntary work/other unpaid work | 295 | 2.2% | 270 | 2.0% |
| Total | 13410 | 100.0% | 13710 | 100.0% |
| * See note 4. Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09 and 2009/10 | ||||
| UK domicile first degree leavers from HEIs in Scotland who entered further study* by qualification aim | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualification aim | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | ||
| Higher degree by research | 585 | 11.5% | 550 | 12.9% |
| Higher degree by taught course | 1605 | 31.6% | 1485 | 34.8% |
| Postgraduate diploma or certificate | 1310 | 25.7% | 1060 | 24.8% |
| First degree | 545 | 10.7% | 305 | 7.2% |
| Other diploma or certificate | 240 | 4.8% | 205 | 4.8% |
| Professional qualification | 465 | 9.1% | 365 | 8.6% |
| Other qualification | 205 | 4.0% | 170 | 4.0% |
| Not aiming for a qualification | 125 | 2.5% | 125 | 2.9% |
| Total | 5080 | 100.0% | 4265 | 100.0% |
| * See note 4. Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09 and 2009/10 | ||||
Northern Ireland
| UK domicile first degree leavers from HEIs in Northern Ireland by activity | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activity | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | ||
| Work only | 3695 | 63.1% | 3775 | 62.4% |
| Work and further study | 600 | 10.2% | 590 | 9.7% |
| Further study only | 895 | 15.3% | 895 | 14.8% |
| Assumed to be unemployed | 465 | 7.9% | 585 | 9.7% |
| Not available for employment | 170 | 2.9% | 185 | 3.1% |
| Other | 30 | 0.5% | 20 | 0.3% |
| Total | 5855 | 100.0% | 6050 | 100.0% |
| Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09 and 2009/10 | ||||
| UK domicile first degree leavers from HEIs in Northern Ireland entering employment* by employment circumstances | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment circumstances | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | ||
| Employed full-time in paid work | 3000 | 69.8% | 3000 | 68.8% |
| Employed part-time in paid work | 1160 | 27.0% | 1195 | 27.4% |
| Self-employed/freelance | 70 | 1.6% | 90 | 2.1% |
| Voluntary work/other unpaid work | 65 | 1.6% | 80 | 1.8% |
| Total | 4295 | 100.0% | 4365 | 100.0% |
| * See note 4. Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09 and 2009/10 | ||||
| UK domicile first degree leavers from HEIs in Northern Ireland who entered further study* by qualification aim | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualification aim | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | ||
| Higher degree by research | 125 | 8.4% | 135 | 9.0% |
| Higher degree by taught course | 585 | 39.0% | 560 | 37.8% |
| Postgraduate diploma or certificate | 310 | 20.8% | 300 | 20.4% |
| First degree | 65 | 4.3% | 70 | 4.6% |
| Other diploma or certificate | 120 | 7.9% | 120 | 8.1% |
| Professional qualification | 120 | 8.2% | 190 | 12.7% |
| Other qualification | 135 | 9.0% | 80 | 5.4% |
| Not aiming for a qualification | 35 | 2.5% | 30 | 2.1% |
| Total | 1495 | 100.0% | 1485 | 100.0% |
| * See note 4. Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2008/09 and 2009/10 | ||||
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