Figures released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency show that a number of GuildHE members’ institutions are among the highest-scoring higher education institutions for graduate success in employment or further study soon after their degree. Alice Hynes, Chief Executive of GuildHE, commented:

“Eight of the top 30 higher education institutions with the greatest proportion of graduates continuing to employment or further study are members of GuildHE – that is one-third of all eligible GuildHE institutions. All of these had over 90% of graduates in full-time in employment or further study soon after graduating, with some doing significantly better than is to be expected from the profile of their students on entry and the subjects taught at the institution. These are many of the specialist and smaller university colleges.

“A large number of GuildHE institutions have built strong connections to small and medium sized enterprises as environments in which their graduates find work, and many have close connections with their respective industries which has a clear benefit. GuildHE was pleased to hear Vince Cable speak yesterday of the value of SMEs for the future of economic growth.

“These figures show that GuildHE institutions are contributing effectively to areas of the economy which will be part of the solution to problems of today and tomorrow. These institutions continue to contribute to the wellbeing of society. This sends a strong message about the value higher education has for individuals finding gainful activity after study.”

For more information, please contact:
Alice Hynes, Chief Executive Officer, GuildHE
Tel: 020 7387 7711
Email: alice.hynes@guildhe.ac.uk

Notes to editors

1. GuildHE is a recognised representative organisation within the higher education sector. It has 32 institutions in membership, of which 24 were eligible for inclusion in these employability statistics.

2. The eight GuildHE member institutions scoring graduate success rates in the top 30 are: Harper Adams University College; Royal Agricultural College; Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln; Ravensbourne; St Mary’s University College Twickenham; St Mary’s University College Belfast; University College Plymouth St Mark & St John; and the Arts University College at Bournemouth.

3. HESA’s Performance Indicators for graduate employment and research output were released on Thursday 15 July 2010: see https://www.hesa.ac.uk/index.php/content/view/1800/161/