Rise in self-employed graduates

Rising numbers of graduates are choosing to work for themselves or take professional qualifications after leaving university, new figures suggest.

Data published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) shows that 4.4% of those who left university last summer were self employed or working as a freelance six months after graduation.

This is an increase on the previous year, when the figure stood at 4.1%.

The statistics also show that of last summer's graduates that went on to further study, some 15.4% chose to do a professional qualification. This is compared to 13.8% in 2009.

The figures suggest that following the recession more graduates are looking to set up on their own, or boost their qualifications to help them in the job market.

Martin Birchall, of High Fliers Research, which has studied the graduate employment market for the past 15 years, said: "It is not surprising that more people are trying to run their own business. As things begin to improve some very talented graduates will look at the jobs market and think that the odds of getting a place on a top scheme are still tough."

He said the figures were part of an overall picture of the graduate employment market improving.

"This year, graduates are really engaging with the job market," Mr Birchall said.

"Whether applying for popular graduate programmes or going off and doing their own thing, graduates seem to be determined to make a success of it."

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union, said: "With an increasingly competitive jobs market and graduates leaving university with record levels of debts, it is perhaps unsurprising that so many are looking at ways to bolster their chances of securing gainful employment."

Previous HESA figures have shown that 8.8% of last year's graduates were unemployed six months after graduation.

Source: Cambridge-news.co.uk, Friday 22nd July 2011