Salaries for graduates obtaining qualifications in the last academic year rose by £1,000 to an average of £18,000 according to latest data from The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

According to the data, 29% of full-time first-degree higher education graduates were in associate professional posts or technical occupations and 25% were in professional occupations.

However, 16% found themselves in administrative and secretarial occupations, and 11% had found jobs in sales and customer services.
Gemma Tumelty, president of the National Union of Students, says: “This research shows not all students enter into highly paid jobs straight away, if at all, and paying back student loans will put a massive strain on their finances.”

The rate of unemployment among the 4,200 full and part time foundation degree graduates was lower at 3%.