Key results from the National Centre for Universities and Business's (NCUB's) research into university graduate's thoughts about their time at university and the job market include:

* 53% of university graduates who have completed their course within the past five years have senior level jobs;

* More than three quarters (79%) of university graduates said their course was helpful in gaining skills for employment;

* 88% of university graduates agree that businesses should collaborate more with universities to support students to gain more understanding of career paths;

* 42% of university graduates did a work or industry placement as part of their course - of these, 89% found the placement helpful for getting employment;

* More than two-thirds (69%) of university graduates said their course was helpful to be promoted or further their career;

* 70% of university graduates found a paid job within 2 years of completing their course.

Dr Joe Marshall, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB), said: "The UK is facing a critical skills gap that is threatening national growth and future competitiveness. Two-thirds of large businesses are struggling to recruit employees with the necessary skills, directly impacting productivity and performance. With 7 million workers projected to be under-skilled by 2030, reskilling and upskilling the workforce is a pressing challenge. Today's new research shows that universities and businesses alike will need to play a huge role in addressing the skills crisis. With more than three quarters of university graduates reporting that their course was helpful in gaining skills for employment, and more than half of university graduates who have completed their course within the past 5 years having senior level jobs, the role that universities play in addressing the skills crisis is clear and vital."

Marshall concluded: "This comes as our latest report, titled Collaboration for Future Skills published today finds that collaboration between universities, businesses, and other key stakeholders is essential to address these issues. By working together, they can adapt education to meet the demands of the evolving labour market. However, barriers still hinder partnerships at the scale required to meet this growing challenge. We are calling on the Government to partner with universities and businesses to foster greater collaboration on future skills in higher education. Policies should streamline national skills systems, enable regulators to support university programs that meet both job market needs and student interests, and encourage university-business partnerships."

About the research

These graduates were identified via an online Omnibus survey of 4,236 UK adults 16 - 75 across the UK of which 1,593 were these university graduates. The overall sample of 4,236 achieved is representative of the UK population aged 16-75. Interlocking quotas were set on age within gender, and on region and work status. The data were weighted to the known offline population of this audience by gender within age, work status, geographic region, education and social grade.

On behalf of NCUB, Ipsos carried out an online survey among a representative sample of 1,593 university graduates across the UK between 30 August and 3 September 2024. The graduates surveyed were those who had completed a bachelor degree (BA. BSc, BEd, BEng, LLB or MB ChB etc. or an MA in Scotland), Post graduate diploma or certificate (e.g., PGCE), Master's degree (MA, MSc, MBA, MEng, MRes, MPhil) or Doctorate (PhD or DPhil) at a University in the UK

Sub-sample groups reported upon:

642 university graduates did a work/industry placement as part of their course.

257 university graduates who completed course within the last 5 years.

"Senior level jobs" is a current role title of either: Manager, Middle Manager, Senior Manager, Director, Senior Director, Vice President or Senior Vice President, Owner, President/C-Suite Executive.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

About the NCUB

The National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) represents a collective voice of leaders across higher education and business and aims to tackle issues of shared interest. The NCUB is an independent and not-for-profit membership organisation that promotes, develops and supports university-business collaboration across the UK. The organisation was originally established in 1986, and NCUB was formed in 2013.

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Available for interviews

NCUB Chief Executive Joe Marshall and Head of Policy and Engagement Rosalind Gill are both available for comment and interview.

Press contact

Bethan Hunter

Communications and Public Affairs Manager

National Centre for Universities and Business

E: bethan.hunter@ncub.co.uk

T: 020 3928 1037

M: 07749238575