Graduates from Scottish universities faring well

25 Jun 2015 02:17 PM

73 per cent of employed full-time first degree leavers in professional posts.

A degree from a Scottish university continues to provide graduates with excellent prospects according to new figures out today.

Leaver destination numbers from 2013/14 have been published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency and show for leavers from Scottish institutions:

• 90 per cent went into employment, further study or both
• 73 per cent of full-time first degree leavers entering UK employment were employed in professional occupations, up from 69 per cent last year, the highest figure for all UK administrations
• Median salary for first degree leavers in full-time UK employment was £22,000, up £1,000 over the year, the highest figure for all UK administrations
• 5 per cent of leavers were unemployed down from 6 per cent last year, the lowest figure for all UK countries jointly with Wales.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Angela Constance said:

“Today’s figures again demonstrate that prospects for graduates from Scotland’s world class universitiescontinue to be excellent.

“An increase in full-time first degree graduates going into professional occupations, the majority of which are in Scotland, is particularly welcome and shows that our continued economic development is allowing trained staff to take up posts in areas they want to specialise in.

“Our substantial investment in Higher Education is reaping rewards for the sector, individual students and the wider economy. Scottish universities are already viewed as world leading around the globe with four institutions in the world’s top 200, more than any other country per head of population apart from Switzerland.

“Today’s news can only enhance our position on the world stage.”

Notes To Editors

Destinations of leavers from Higher Education institutions for the academic year 2013-14 can be found here.