Top results in student employability

Posted 15 July 2011

FIGURES released today show that Harper Adams students continue to be among the most employable graduates in the UK, despite exceptionally difficult economic conditions. 

Harper Adams has the most consistent record for leading the league tables on employability in land-based higher education.

In fact, when employability figures are weighted against each institution’s survey response rate, Harper Adams tops the table - see Table 1.

Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) reveals that 93.8% of Harper Adams graduates on full-time, first degree courses were in employment, or further study, within six months of completing their Harper Adams programmes. This puts the University College among the top 15% of UK universities for employability of graduates. 

HESA’s data is based on the annual Destination of Leavers from the Higher Education (DLHE) survey, which all graduates are invited to take part in. The latest survey captured 99.6 % of 2010 Harper Adams graduates – the second highest response rate in the country. 

Harper Adams Principal Dr David Llewellyn said: “It is wonderful to see such a high percentage of our graduates progressing into worthwhile employment. I am also pleased that the Harper Adams survey was so complete. The 99.6 response rate provides an extremely clear picture of our students’ employability, and when our rating is weighted against this response rate, it proves what we already know: that Harper Adams is ahead of the field when it comes to graduate employment.”

An impressive 99% of the University College’s Agriculture students were in employment or further study within six months of completing their degree programmes, surpassing the national figure of 91.6% for all 2010 UK graduates studying Agriculture and related subjects.

Nationally, 9.6 per cent of graduates from all courses were unemployed six months after completing their studies last year. 

Harper Adams graduates from all part-time undergraduate courses - first degrees and other qualifications - stacked up an impressive 100% employment rate. And for full-time courses other than first degrees, the figure was 96.7 per cent. 

Harper Adams Academic Registrar Noel Morrison said: “Our students not only secure a high quality degree when they complete their studies with us, they also possess a year’s work experience secured through our sandwich placement scheme. This distinctive combination of high level skills and experience of applying those skills in the workplace means that graduates from Harper Adams continue to be held in exceptionally high regard by employers.”

Careers Officer Maria Simpson added: “Employers are keen to work very closely with the Harper Adams University College Careers Service because they say we have the students with ‘the right experience for their business needs’. Integrated placement employment, which is a key feature of all courses, gives students a competitive and valuable experience. Our vacancy handling and service relationship with employers is regarded very highly by employers aiming to reach our suitably qualified graduates.”