Skip to main content

2000/01 First destinations data published by HESA

HESA today publishes the Reference Volume: First Destinations of Students Leaving Higher Education Institutions 2000/01. Comprehensive analysis undertaken by the Agency shows that 68% (163,965) of leavers reported their first destination as employment in 2001, which was the same as in 2000.

There was no change from the previous three years in the proportion of those assumed to be unemployed, which stands at 5%. The highest unemployment rates were among UK domiciled first degree graduates, particularly males (8%). The lowest unemployment rates (for UK domiciled students) were for females with other undergraduate or postgraduate qualifications which both stood at 2%.

Information has been obtained from 241,290 qualifiers out of a possible 303,790 a response rate of 79%. This is an increase on the previous years response rate which was 77%.

Further detail on the first destinations of all qualifiers are shown in the chart below.

All qualifiers by first destination 2000/01

After obtaining an HE qualification, females were more likely to obtain employment than males, particularly at the other undergraduate level where 66% of home domiciled females were working in the UK compared with 40% of home domiciled males. Of all of the respondents to the survey this year 19% were found to be undertaking further study or training.

Other key points (all relate to UK domiciled respondents)

  • UK domiciled first degree qualifiers in medicine & dentistry, at 91% and education at 88% were most likely to have entered UK employment. Qualifiers in law, at 32%, were least likely to have entered UK employment although they were most likely to continue study or training.3
  • Of qualifiers going on to further study or training, three quarters were at the first degree level. Of these 58% were female.
  • UK domiciled female first degree qualifiers formed the largest single group that went on to further study or training; they were most likely (50%) to study postgraduate diploma and certificate courses, including Postgraduate Certificates in Education (PGCEs), or undertake professional training.
  • 92% of the 7,370 qualifiers with other undergraduate qualifications who went on to further study or training were studying for first degrees.
  • As might be expected, postgraduate qualifiers formed a relatively small proportion of those continuing with further study or training (2,360 or 6%).

Notes for editors

  1. The Reference Volume: First Destinations of Students Leaving Higher Education Institutions 2000/01 provides a statistical reference of the first destinations of students leaving Higher Education in the UK for 2000/01.
  2. The HESA First Destination Supplement (FDS) target population includes all UK and EU domiciled students reported to HESA for the reporting period 1 August 2000 to 31 July 2001 as obtaining relevant qualifications and whose study was full-time (including sandwich students and those writing up theses). A first destination return was not sought from those students whose study was previously part-time. The HESA FDS target population excludes non-EU overseas domiciled students. The reference date for the FDS was 3 January 2002.

    These subject differences are influenced by the training structures of many professions. Since the number of medicine & dentistry students is strictly controlled and planned centrally to meet national manpower requirements, it is not surprising that very few of those qualifying in medicine & dentistry are unemployed. Some qualifications at both undergraduate (B.Ed., etc.) and postgraduate (PGCE) level in education lead directly to professional accreditation so qualifiers do not need to undertake further study. Qualifiers in law, however, need to continue professional training after graduation for entry to the profession, which would explain the low employment rate and high progression onto further study or training.

  3. The Reference Volume is available from the Customer Services Team, HESA Services Ltd., 95 Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1HZ; telephone: 01242 211155. An electronic version on CD-Rom is also available. A list of other publications can be obtained from the Customer Services Team.
  4. HESA cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived from the data by third parties.
  5. Press enquiries should be directed to Press Officer at HESA, 95 Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1HZ; telephone 01242 211136. General enquiries about HESA data can also be addressed to the Data Provision Team at the same address, telephone 01242 211133.

Ends

Share
Press Release

Press Officer