A new report from HESA indicates that the long term employment prospects for graduates is at its highest since the recession.
A new report by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) confirms that long term graduate employment prospects are looking positive. HESA surveyed almost 82,000 graduates from 2011 to determine that 87.9% are now in full time employment. This figure shows a noticeable increase from previous years, and is the highest since the recession.
The longitude survey found that of the graduates in employment, the majority (80.5%) are working in professional occupations, while 6% of are in further studies. Just 3.5% of the graduates surveyed remain unemployed.
Jo Johnson, the Minister for Science and Universities, is encouraged by the findings but admits there is still some way to go.
"These latest statistics are a further welcome sign that so many graduates enjoy high levels of employment, but there is more to do to ensure students get the teaching they deserve and employers get the skills they need."
Professor Les Ebdon, Director of the Office for Fair Access, also welcomes the good news.
"The results of this survey are encouraging, and show that 94% of 2011 graduates are now in employment or further study. Of those in work, 80% are in professional jobs, underlining the value of higher education to your career prospects."
Like Jo Johnson, Professor Ebdon believes that there is work to be done to ensure that the benefits of higher education are open to all.
"This highlights why it is so important that people from disadvantaged backgrounds are able to access higher education, and accrue the life changing benefits it can bring."