More Scots graduates in jobs or study

30th August 2013

Figures show Scottish universities delivering for students.

Figures released during Make Young People Your Business week show Scottish graduates are more likely than those from the rest of the UK to be in employment or training.

Statistics from HESA, based on what graduates are doing three and a half years after leaving university, show 94.9 per cent of UK graduates from Scottish universities were in a job or further study - the highest of all UK countries. Graduates from Scottish universities also have the highest median earnings of £26,000 three and a half years after graduation.

Education Secretary Michael Russell said:“Today’s figures show that Scotland is delivering well for graduates – with more of our graduates in employment or further study over three and a half years than anywhere else in the UK. This can only build on the excellent reputation of our universities.

“This is Make Young People Your Business Week and we are encouraging Scottish companies to consider employing a young person. We’ve already announced an additional £4.6 million to help up to 1,020 Scots graduates into their first job, which should help ensure Scottish graduates have an even higher chance of finding employment in the future.

“With access to university based on the ability to learn, not the ability to pay and the best package of student support in the UK, it’s no surprise we’ve seen a record number of Scots accepted to university this year. These figures show they are making a good decision for their future and for Scotland’s economic outlook.”