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Employers 'requiring 2:1 degree' | Employers 'requiring 2:1 degree' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
By Sean Coughlan BBC News education correspondent | By Sean Coughlan BBC News education correspondent |
Intense competition for graduate jobs means that more than three quarters of employers require at least a 2:1 degree grade, a survey suggests. | Intense competition for graduate jobs means that more than three quarters of employers require at least a 2:1 degree grade, a survey suggests. |
The Association of Graduate Recruiters says there are more graduates chasing fewer jobs - with vacancies down by 7%. | The Association of Graduate Recruiters says there are more graduates chasing fewer jobs - with vacancies down by 7%. |
Applications have soared, with an average of 69 people chasing each graduate job. | Applications have soared, with an average of 69 people chasing each graduate job. |
In response, 78% of employers are now filtering out applicants who have not achieved a 2:1 degree. | In response, 78% of employers are now filtering out applicants who have not achieved a 2:1 degree. |
About two thirds of students achieve either a first class degree or a 2:1 - so this means the remaining third, who will still have passed their exams and paid their tuition fees, will not even be considered by these employers. | About two thirds of students achieve either a first class degree or a 2:1 - so this means the remaining third, who will still have passed their exams and paid their tuition fees, will not even be considered by these employers. |
"While this approach does aid the sifting process it can rule out promising candidates with the right work skills unnecessarily," says the AGR's chief executive, Carl Gilleard. | "While this approach does aid the sifting process it can rule out promising candidates with the right work skills unnecessarily," says the AGR's chief executive, Carl Gilleard. |
"We are encouraging our members to look beyond the degree classification when narrowing down the field of candidates to manageable proportions." | "We are encouraging our members to look beyond the degree classification when narrowing down the field of candidates to manageable proportions." |
Missing the cut off | Missing the cut off |
The most recent figures - for 2008-09 - show that 64% of students achieved either a first class or upper second degree. | The most recent figures - for 2008-09 - show that 64% of students achieved either a first class or upper second degree. |
But there are substantial differences within this average. For instance, men are less likely than women to achieve these higher grades and part-time students are less likely to do so than full-time ones. | But there are substantial differences within this average. For instance, men are less likely than women to achieve these higher grades and part-time students are less likely to do so than full-time ones. |
When these factors are combined, less than half of male part-time students achieve a 2:1 - with this survey suggesting that many will now struggle in the jobs market. | When these factors are combined, less than half of male part-time students achieve a 2:1 - with this survey suggesting that many will now struggle in the jobs market. |
Degree classification was more widely used as a selection criterion than relevant work experience (34%) or degree subject (33%) or going to a particular university (7%). | Degree classification was more widely used as a selection criterion than relevant work experience (34%) or degree subject (33%) or going to a particular university (7%). |
This annual survey provides a snapshot of the graduate jobs market, based on the experiences of almost 200 leading employers. | This annual survey provides a snapshot of the graduate jobs market, based on the experiences of almost 200 leading employers. |
It shows that a growing number of graduates are competing for a shrinking number of vacancies. | It shows that a growing number of graduates are competing for a shrinking number of vacancies. |
This has been intensified by graduates from last year still looking for jobs and adding to the pressure on vacancies. | This has been intensified by graduates from last year still looking for jobs and adding to the pressure on vacancies. |
This was the second year of falls in graduate vacancies - and the average number of applicants per vacancy has risen from 49 to 69. Starting salaries remain at £25,000. | This was the second year of falls in graduate vacancies - and the average number of applicants per vacancy has risen from 49 to 69. Starting salaries remain at £25,000. |
This AGR survey, carried out twice a year, concludes that the recovery is "going to be slower than previously thought". | This AGR survey, carried out twice a year, concludes that the recovery is "going to be slower than previously thought". |
Conflicting signals | Conflicting signals |
This is the third survey of the graduate jobs market in a week - and taken together they show uncertainty over whether there is a fragile recovery or a continuing decline. | This is the third survey of the graduate jobs market in a week - and taken together they show uncertainty over whether there is a fragile recovery or a continuing decline. |
The AGR survey suggests that opportunities for university leavers are getting worse. The current average of 69 applicants for a job contrasts with only 28 in 2006. | The AGR survey suggests that opportunities for university leavers are getting worse. The current average of 69 applicants for a job contrasts with only 28 in 2006. |
But last week, another survey of the graduate jobs market, from High Fliers, found a mixed picture - with a resurgence in vacancies in banking and finance and a decline in vacancies in the public sector. | But last week, another survey of the graduate jobs market, from High Fliers, found a mixed picture - with a resurgence in vacancies in banking and finance and a decline in vacancies in the public sector. |
At the weekend, research from the Higher Education Policy Institute showed that graduate unemployment had risen from 11.1% to 14% - but that it was male graduates in particular who were failing to find jobs. | At the weekend, research from the Higher Education Policy Institute showed that graduate unemployment had risen from 11.1% to 14% - but that it was male graduates in particular who were failing to find jobs. |
And the stiff competition for young people starts long before embarking on a degree course, with the high number of sixth formers achieving high grades making the fight for a university place even tougher. | |
Research commissioned by ACS International Schools suggests university admissions officers are struggling to identify the best students because of "inflated" A-level grades. | |
The survey of 40 UK admissions officers and 20 from the United States found 53% thought "grade inflation" made spotting the best candidates harder. | |
Last year, more than one in four A-level exam entries (26.7%) were awarded an A grade. | |
'Savage cuts' | |
Concerns about a tough jobs market for graduates comes as a review considers whether universities should be allowed to charge higher tuition fees. | |
Aaron Porter, president of the National Union of Students, warned that spending cuts could cause even greater difficulties for university leavers. | Aaron Porter, president of the National Union of Students, warned that spending cuts could cause even greater difficulties for university leavers. |
"We are concerned that the savage cuts to the public sector will create further unemployment, and will make the lives of graduates tougher in an already difficult jobs market," he said. | "We are concerned that the savage cuts to the public sector will create further unemployment, and will make the lives of graduates tougher in an already difficult jobs market," he said. |
David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Skills, said: "The job market remains challenging for new graduates, as it does for others. But a degree is still a good investment in the long term, and graduates have a key role to play in helping Britain out of the recession." | David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Skills, said: "The job market remains challenging for new graduates, as it does for others. But a degree is still a good investment in the long term, and graduates have a key role to play in helping Britain out of the recession." |
Are you a graduate? Have you had difficulties in finding work? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you a graduate? Have you had difficulties in finding work? Send us your comments using the form below. |