73% of UK graduates say going to university got them the job they wanted, says Universities UK
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Research from Universities UK highlights the value of going to
university, including that 73% of UK graduates say they found a job
reflective of their ambitions in under a year, thanks to their
university education 78% of UK graduates also say the support they
received at university helped them gain employment, and 97%
of business leaders revealed that graduates reach managerial
positions faster, as a result of going to university Speed
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Compelling new data released today by Universities UK (UUK) reveals that 73% of UK graduates credit going to university with enabling them to find the job they wanted. And, 78% say the support they received at university helped them gain employment. The research, based on the perspectives of 3,500 UK graduates and 3,500 business leaders (business owners, founders, board members, CEOs, directors, and senior managers) across the UK, also reveals that 79% of graduates say going to university enabled them to build skills that have proved professionally valuable. And, for 76% of UK graduates and 78% of business leaders, going to university helped to build their self-confidence. Over two thirds of UK graduates (67%) and business leaders (71%) also believe that going to university enables graduates to build vital transferable skills that help them in their career; framing UK universities as an essential training ground for UK industry. These findings are supported by the insight that over a quarter (28%) of UK graduates first gained employment through a direct connection to their university or degree course, and 77% of business leaders say that going to university opened doors into relevant companies for them. These findings highlight the strength of existing ties between universities and the private sector, and their central role in addressing skills gaps for UK industry. The research from UUK also outlines the broader impacts of going to university on gaining employment. 73% of graduates say they found their job/ role in under a year. Furthermore, 97% of business leaders say university graduates reach managerial positions faster, as a direct result of going to university. Supporting crucial skills – and career - development: According to the research, nearly two thirds (61%) of business leaders think graduates typically progress faster through the ranks of their business; a finding that could be linked to the insight that seven in 10 believe that going to university gives graduates good sector and industry knowledge or, equally, the belief of 71% that going to university enables graduates to build crucial transferable skills. Reflecting on their own skills gains, UK graduates were most likely to point out the impact of going to university on their time-management (44%), self-confidence (42%), teamwork (41%), hard work (41%), and problem-solving (40%). And, when business leaders were asked to highlight the skills they believe going to university enables graduates to develop, they called out benefits across communicating with others (67%), self-confidence (66%), problem solving (65%), time management (62%), and teamwork (61%). With workers increasingly needing transferable, adaptable skills to support their professional mobility, and appetite growing for so-called multi-hyphenate careers, going to university is framed as increasingly crucial for the acquisition of both hard and soft skills. Furthermore, and crucial in a cost-of-living crisis, where graduates and non-graduates are able to perform the same role in their organisation, 85% of business leaders would expect to see graduate employees earn more than non-graduates after just three years. Mature students can also benefit financially from gaining a degree. On average, business leaders expect previously non-graduate employees who obtain a degree relevant to their role to see an increase of 20% in earnings. Impact on social mobility: Interestingly, the research looked in particular at UK graduates and business leaders who were the first in their family to go to university. Of these, 78% of graduates and 71% of business leaders said that going to university opened doors into companies for them. Meanwhile, 73% of business leaders believe that going to university introduces graduates to peers who can help them build their careers, and 77% of graduates said a degree helped them build skills that have been professionally valuable. The research also suggests that going to university can act as a stimulus to upward social mobility amongst families with no prior history of going to university. Those who were the first in their family to go to university had a slightly higher average starting salary than those who were not the first to attend; £30,111 versus £27,754 - findings that are compounded by a report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies on behalf of the Department of Education, which found that university graduates who were eligible for free school meals are more likely to enter the top 20% of earnings at age 30 than free school meal students who did not attend university. Nearly 60% of business leaders who were the first in their family to go to university said that going to university helped them become senior faster, while 51% said it helped them fast track their career. Findings from our data and wider evidence show the role of universities as equalisers across the UK jobs market; enabling all graduates to unlock career opportunities – not just those with strong family connections or a history of higher education. Vivienne Stern, Chief Executive of Universities UK, commented: “This new research clearly demonstrates the value that graduates benefit from when they go to university in the UK. The benefits captured by this research are numerous – from job security and career ambitions, to earnings and social mobility. They highlight how highly UK universities are regarded not just by those who attend them, but also by those who hire their graduates and benefit from their skills. It is clear that Universities play a huge role not only in preparing graduates for employment, but also in teaching them crucial, transferable life skills that will serve them throughout their career. Ultimately, what this research demonstrates is that our universities play a powerful role in helping graduates forge successful career paths that can help return the UK economy to growth and continue to power our public services”.
Notes to Editors: These findings are based on bespoke consumer research conducted by Censuswide among 3,505 UK graduates and 3,506 business leaders of a nationally representative make up. The research was conducted between 16/06/2023 and 26/06/2023 for UK graduates and 16/06/2023 and 27/06/2023 for business leaders. All respondents were sourced using an accredited online research access panel. Development Economics mapped the results from the survey against existing data sets and reports, outlined below:
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