More than a third of graduates (38%) have been on Jobseeker’s Allowance since leaving university and of this group, 37% have done so for more than six months, according to new research from Totaljobs.com.

The survey also reveals almost half (44%) do not believe their university education has equipped them for the world of work, while (43%) say they would not have chosen the same course, knowing what they know now and a quarter (24%) would not recommend higher education to those current A-Levels students.

Mike Fetters, graduate director at Totaljobs.com, says: “The reality is that as a country we haven’t been very good at creating graduates that are specialised in areas that employers are demanding.

“The only benefit that we can see in the disappointing decision to, in effect, triple fees is that it may focus the minds of those wishing to go to university on which skills are most in demand in the jobs market which degree will best enable them to pay off debts most swiftly and create more focus on their chosen career direction.”