Previous survey results

Here’s a selection of national level official statistics from the survey of graduates from the class of 2020/21.

• We obtained responses from 383,575 graduates.
• 90% of graduates were in some form of work or further study.
• The percentage of unemployed UK graduates dropped from 5% to 4%.
• 5% were doing another activity such as travelling, caring for someone, or retired.
• The median salary of full-time first degree graduates in full-time UK employment, 15 months after finishing higher education, was £26,000.
• Graduates who studied medicine and dentistry had the highest median salary of £35,000.
• 84% of graduates felt that their current activity is meaningful.
• 75% of graduates felt their current activity fitted in with their future plans.
• 66% of graduates agreed they were using what they learnt while studying

Here’s a selection of national level official statistics from the survey of graduates from the class of 2019/20.

• We obtained responses from 403,835 graduates.
• 89% of graduates were in some form of work or further study.
• 18,990 graduates were self-employed, running their own business or developing a portfolio.
• The percentage of unemployed graduates dropped from 7% to 6%.
• 76% of those in work were in high skilled occupations e.g. managers and professionals.
• 5% were doing another activity such as travelling, caring for someone, or retired.
• Among full-time first degree graduates, the percentage in full-time employment increased from 52% in last year’s survey to 54%.
• The median salary of full-time first degree graduates in full-time UK employment 15 months after finishing higher education was £25,000. This was the same for both male and female graduates.
• Among graduates in high skilled occupations, the median salary was £27,000 for male graduates and £25,000 for female graduates.
• 86% of graduates felt that their current activity is meaningful.
• 77% of graduates felt their current activity fitted in with their future plans.
• 71% of graduates agreed they were using what they learnt while studying.
• 74% of graduates were satisfied with life.

Here’s a selection of national level experimental statistics from the survey of graduates from the class of 2018/19:

• We obtained responses from nearly 400,000 graduates
• 79% of graduates that responded were in Paid Employment
• 20% of graduates were involved in further study
• 90% of postgraduates from 2018/19 who were in UK work were in high skilled jobs, compared to 69% of undergraduates
• The most frequently recorded industries worked in were: Human health and social work activities (21%), and Education (20%)
• 85% of graduates felt that their current activity is meaningful
• 78% of graduates felt their current activity fitted in with their future plans
• 71% of graduates were utilising what they learnt while studying
• 74% of graduates were satisfied with life

Here’s a selection of national level experimental statistics from the survey of graduates from the class of 2017/18:

• 81% of graduates were in employment or unpaid work
• 38% of graduates working in the UK were in education or health related industries
• 74% of graduates working for an employer in the UK were on permanent or open-ended contracts
• Over 61,000 graduates were self-employed, running their own business or developing a portfolio
• 18% of graduates were engaged in further study 15 months after completing their course
• 76% of graduates working in the UK were in high skilled occupations
• 1 in 20 graduates working in the UK were managers, directors and senior officials
• 31% of graduates in full-time paid UK employment earned over £30,000 15 months after graduation
• 86% of graduates agreed that they were engaged in meaningful activity 15 months after graduation
• 80% of graduates agreed that the activity they were engaged in 15 months after graduation fitted with their future plans
• 72% of graduates agreed that 15 months after graduation they were utilising what they had learned during their studies