Recession-hit graduates doubt the value of their degrees

Recent graduates have become rapidly disillusioned with the value of their degrees in the job market, according to a major new study.

The study by the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU) found students' perceptions of the value of their degrees for finding a job dropped sharply immediately after graduating.

Two-in-three students (67 per cent) felt their choice of university provided an advantage in finding employment when asked during the final years of their courses.

But when the same students were asked an identical question 18 months after graduating, only half (50 per cent) felt the university they'd attended had helped them to secure a job.

The study – which followed a cohort of students who started university in 2006 over the course of their degrees – also showed that the percentage of students who felt their choice of degree subject was an advantage in finding work fell from 77 per cent before graduation to 60 per cent soon after.

Jane Artess, who led the research at HECSU, said: “The students graduated into one of the worst recessions in history and this has greatly impacted their transition into the labour market.

"Aspects such as reputation of institution and skills developed on courses, which would under normal economic circumstances offer great advantage to job seeking graduates, had less of a positive influence."

The lack of available graduate jobs during the recession meant 40 per cent of graduates leaving university in 2009 were in non-graduate jobs 18 months after finishing their degrees, according to the study.

A comparable study following students who began university in 1999 saw just 26 per cent in non-graduate jobs after the same amount of time.

The sharp drop in students' perceptions about the value of their degree after graduating was seen equally across high- and low-ranked universities, although students at top-ranked universities were generally more likely to consider their degrees advantageous.

Source: 7 November 2012, The Telegraph by Andrew Marszal, Education Digital Editor

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/9658977/Recession-hit-graduates-doubt-the-value-of-their-degrees.html