A survey has revealed that nearly 28% of students in the UK who graduated in 2007, were still not in full time employment some three and a half years later.
The figures, compiled by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), were based on over 49000 graduates and included 21% who were either working part-time or still studying and a further 3.6% who merely gave a response as ‘other’.
Hesa, concluded that 3.5% of the graduates were currently unemployed, a 2.6% increase on the same survey done in 2008 for students who graduated in 2005. 
The General Secretary of the University and College Union, Sally Hunt, voiced her concern and said that it was ‘worrying’ that unemployment amongst graduates is on the rise.
The agency’s survey was carried out on 29th November last year and questioned 49065 graduates who had finished their university courses in 2007.
Amongst the 27.7% who admitted they did not have a full time occupation, 8.8% were working either on a voluntary basis or part-time, 5.3% were working part time whilst studying and 6.5% were studying without working.
3.6% of the figure gave a response of ‘other’ which left 3.5% that were unemployed.
The figures also highlighted the gender gap when it came to salaries for graduates. 14% of the men in full time employment who graduated in 2007 were on salaries of between £30,000 and £34,999 this year, but only 9.3% of women were drawing the same salary.
More women (29.4%) were found in the lower salary bracket of £20,000 to £24,999 compared to 15.6% of men.
The graduates were also questioned as to whether they thought that university had prepared them for their chosen career. Over a fifth of graduates felt that university hadn’t prepared them for their career and 6.4% said that university hadn’t prepared them at all for the workplace.
Most graduates however, were happy with how their careers were progressing with 84.2% saying they were satisfied with their career to date, although 11.1% now thought that their degree course had not been good value for money.
Mrs Hunt said: “While it is encouraging that the majority of the class of 2007 recognise the value and worth of their degree, it is worrying that the number of unemployed graduates has risen.
“The jobs market is now even tougher and new students entering a system with the highest public university fees in the world deserve better prospects. The countries investing in graduates and high skills are the ones who will prosper in long run.”


