28 July 2023

  • Research from Universities UK highlights the value of going to university, including that 74% of Welsh graduates say they found a job reflective of ambitions in under a year, thanks to their university education
  • Crucially, during a cost-of-living-crisis – over half (56%) of Welsh graduates say that going to university has improved their job security
  • 75% of Welsh graduates say the support they received at university helped them gain employment
  • 98% of Welsh business leaders polled revealed that graduates reach managerial positions faster, as a result of going to university
  • 73% of Welsh business leaders also believe that going to university enables graduates to build crucial transferable skills, framing universities as an essential training ground for Welsh industry, and across the UK; equipping the next generation with the skills to return UK PLC to growth

Compelling new data released today by Universities UK (UUK) reveals that 74% of Welsh graduates credit going to university with enabling them to find the job they wanted. And, in an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, over half (56%) say that going to university has improved their job security, while 75% say the support they received at university helped them gain employment.

The research, based on the perspectives of 3,500 UK graduates and 3,500 business leaders (business owners, founders, board members, CEOs, directors and senior managers) across the UK, also reveals that 73% of graduates in Wales say going to university enabled them to build skills that have proved professionally valuable. And, for 73% of graduates and 77% of business leaders in Wales, going to university helped to build their self-confidence.

6 in 10 graduates (60%) and almost three quarters of business leaders (73%) in Wales also believe that going to university enables graduates to build vital transferable skills that help them in their career; framing UK universities as an essential training ground for UK industry.

These findings are supported by the insight that over a quarter (29%) of graduates in Wales first gained employment through a direct connection to their university or degree course, and 77% of Welsh business leaders say that going to university opened doors into relevant companies for them. These findings highlight the strength of existing ties between universities and the private sector, and their central role in addressing skills gaps for UK industry.

The research from UUK also outlines the broader impacts of going to university on gaining employment in Wales. 74% of graduates in Wales say they found their job/ role in under a year. Furthermore, 98% of Welsh business leaders say university graduates reach managerial positions faster, as a direct result of going to university.

Supporting career development:

According to the research, 62% of business leaders in Wales think graduates typically progress faster through the ranks of their business; a finding that could be linked to the insight that 71% also believe that going to university gives graduates good sector and industry knowledge. What’s more, where graduates and non-graduates are able to perform the same role in their organisation, 88% of business leaders in Wales would expect to see graduate employees earn more than non-graduates after 3 years.

Mature students can also benefit financially from gaining a degree. On average, business leaders in Wales expect previously non-graduate employees who obtain a degree relevant to their role to see an increase of 21% in earnings.

Professor Elizabeth Treasure, Chair of Universities Wales commented:

“Universities play a crucial role in our society, powering the economy and training the workforce of the future. This new research clearly demonstrates the value of a UK university education, both to graduates and to those who hire them and benefit from their skills.

From job security and earnings, to career ambitions and social mobility, the benefits revealed by this research are numerous. Not only are our universities preparing graduates for the world of work, they are also teaching them crucial, transferable life skills that will serve them throughout their career.

It’s clear to see that our universities play a powerful role in helping graduates to achieve their career ambitions and make a valuable contribution that can help return the UK economy to growth and continue to power our public services.”

ENDS   

 

Notes to Editors:

These findings are based on bespoke consumer research conducted by Censuswide among 3,505 UK graduates and 3,506 business leaders of a nationally representative make up. The research was conducted between 16/06/2023 and 26/06/2023 for UK graduates and 16/06/2023 and 27/06/2023 for business leaders. All respondents were sourced using an accredited online research access panel.

Development Economics mapped the results from the survey against existing data sets and reports, outlined below:

For more information, please contact Ellie Gill Jones at MHP Group: ellie.gilljones@mhpgroup.com / uuk@mhpgroup.com