AGR graduate recruitment survey

27 June 2011

Commenting on the Association of Graduate Recruiters’ Graduate Recruitment Survey 2011, Dr Wendy Piatt, Director General of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities, said: 

“Graduates face an extremely competitive employment market, but a degree remains a valuable investment. Most graduates earn a considerable salary premium over those with two A-levels, and Russell Group graduates receive approximately a 10% salary top-up over others.

“Our universities aim to provide students with fundamental skills, like problem-solving and analytical techniques, whilst nurturing creative thinking and innovation.  This is fundamental to the high-quality, intellectually stimulating student experience in research-intensive universities and means our graduates are highly adaptable to new work environments and able to learn new information and skills very quickly. 

“Russell Group universities now go further than ever in ensuring that our students are as ‘work-ready’ as possible.  For example, the Leeds for Life scheme at the University of Leeds helps students link the skills acquired in their degree courses to workplace demands and successfully present them to potential employers. The LSE100 initiative enables first year London School of Economics undergraduates to learn how the skills they are developing as social scientists can be applied to real world problems.

“Russell Group graduates are among the most sought after worldwide. Seven of the top 20 universities in the world, as ranked by employers, are Russell Group institutions.

“It is more important than ever that students receive sound advice when choosing advanced level qualifications, maximising their chances of getting into the best university for them.”

Notes to editors

1. This approximate wage premium can vary considerably according to the subject studied and university attended. Chevalier, A. and Conlon, G. Does it pay to go to a prestigious university? Centre for the Economics of Education, LSE (March 2003)
2. World University Rankings 2010 - Employer Review: http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2010/indicator-rankings/employer-review

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