» An overview2005 university entry figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)show that there has been a revival of interest in all science subjects, with acceptance figures for biology up by 9.9% from the previous year, chemistry by 17.3% and physics by 11.4%. According to the chief executive of UCAS, Anthony McClaran, ‘This is good news, not only for the universities and colleges but for the country and economy as a whole.’ Employment opportunities in the IT sector continued to grow in 2005, highlighting an ongoing recovery. However, the relatively high level of unemployment revealed that there is still strong competition for jobs and that prospective students need to research courses carefully to ensure they develop the skills employers are looking for. » DestinationsThe number of sports science graduates in 2005 was greater than the combined graduating totals of chemistry and physics. Sports science graduates also enjoy the highest employment rate amongst scientists: 72.3% including those both working and studying, and the lowest unemployment at 4.7% (see Table 1) . Six months after graduation, science graduates, especially those from physics and chemistry, were more likely to have entered further study/training than graduates from other disciplines. In 2005, one in three physics and chemistry graduates went on to further study (as a sole activity) compared with 13.9% of all first-degree graduates. This reflects the fact that to pursue a research and development career within science, a postgraduate qualification is often useful, and in many cases, even a prerequisite. Table 1: First destinations of 2005 science, maths and IT graduates | Numbers graduating (survey respondents) | Entering employment (%) | Entering further study/training (%) | Working and studying (%) | Unemployed at time of survey (%) | Other (%) |
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| Biology | 3405 | 55.1 | 22.5 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 8.5 | | Chemistry | 2040 | 48.3 | 32.3 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.8 | | Environmental, physical, geographical and terrestrial sciences | 3390 | 59.0 | 19.2 | 6.3 | 7.0 | 8.5 | | Physics | 1705 | 41.6 | 34.6 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 6.8 | | Sports science | 4460 | 63.7 | 15.0 | 8.6 | 4.7 | 8.0 | | Mathematics | 3280 | 49.9 | 22.2 | 12.5 | 6.6 | 8.8 | | IT | 12565 | 65.2 | 10.1 | 6.3 | 10.3 | 8.1 | | All first degree subjects | 206965 | 62.9% | 13.9% | 8.8% | 6.2% | 8.2% |
The relatively low employment rate for mathematics graduates (62.4%, including working and studying) was mainly attributed to the larger numbers in the further study/training category (22.2%), rather than unemployment. The numbers unemployed went up slightly from 5.8% for the 2004 graduating cohort to 6.6% for 2005, but this was still below the 7.1% figure for 2003. Six months following graduation, 71.5% of IT graduates from the 2005 cohort was in employment (including working and studying), compared with 71.7% for all subjects. IT graduates, however, were still less likely to be in further study (as a sole activity) and more likely to be unemployed. At 10.3%, the unemployment rate has fallen slightly from last year’s (10.7%), but was still substantially higher than the average for all subjects (6.2%). A comparison of destination statistics for the last few years demonstrates that the IT industry is in the midst of recovery. Employment rates have increased steadily for the subject whilst unemployment has fallen. Alongside this, however, is a general decline in the numbers entering IT courses in higher education and the possible threat of a skills shortage within the sector. An article in Computer Weekly (17 July 2006) revealed that the level of students applying to study computer science has halved in five years, leaving the sector short of the 150,000 new entries needed by businesses. The key to success for prospective IT students lies in choosing the right course. A recent survey by FDM Group revealed that 47% of IT graduates felt that their degree course has not provided them with the latest IT skills, thus emphasising the importance of researching courses thoroughly. Potential undergraduates should look for courses that will not only equip them with up-to-date IT skills, but also the business skills required by employers. The opportunity to do an industrial placement can also be a distinct advantage. The nature of IT has changed in recent times with significant numbers of graduates entering roles such as business analysis, consultancy and project management. Research by the analyst group Gartner, reported in the Sunday Times, has revealed that sound business acumen is just as essential to such roles as technical ability. » Types of WorkAn examination of the types of work that graduates went into six months after graduation reveals that in 2005, 22.2% of chemistry graduates were working as scientific researchers, and 20.2% of sports science graduates were employed as sports professionals. Six months after graduation, 42.4% of IT graduates were working as IT professionals. This figure represents an increase for the third year in succession and provides further evidence of an expanding IT sector. Mathematics graduates entering employment comprised 33.9% in business and financial positions at a professional or associate professional level. The next most popular vocation was teaching, at 10%. » SalariesThe average salaries for computer science and mathematics graduates who were in full-time employment in the UK six months following graduation rose in 2005. Salaries for mathematics graduates in particular underwent a significant increase to £19,342 from £17,992 in 2004. The average salary for computer sciences in 2005 was £18,801. These were both above the average salary for all subjects at £17,715. Salaries for chemistry and physics graduates were slightly lower at £17,049 and £17,579 respectively, but were still comparable with the average for all first degree graduates. A report entitled The Economic Benefits of Higher Education Qualifications, published by Pricewaterhouse Coopers and commissioned jointly by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and the Institute of Physics (IOP), claims that graduates in chemistry and physics earn up to 30% more than those with A-levels only. The research also demonstrated that the Exchequer can benefit from greater numbers of chemistry and physics graduates with graduates in these subjects paying £135,000 more in tax than those with A-levels (or equivalent) alone and £40,000 more than the average graduate over their working life. Dr David Giachardi, the RSC Chief Executive, commented ‘The tax man should be very concerned about universities not cherishing chemistry and physics, while undergraduates in these areas will be looking forward to being ahead of the field financially for the rest of their lives after graduating’. » Contacts and resourcesWebsitesResources on this siteGeneral links
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