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Britons who have left university over the past couple of years are optimistic about their future career prospects despite graduating into one of the worst recessions in history. 07/11/2012

That's according to Futuretrack, a major study commissioned by HECSU  and carried out by the Institute for Employment Research (IER)  at the University of Warwick.

The journey of thousands of UCAS applicants from 2006 has been tracked to compare current perceptions with those from when they started university.

The £1.5m study, revealed today, shows many of the graduates have faced considerable challenges.

More than one in ten have experienced significant spells of unemployment, which, in some cases, look likely to continue.

What's more, 40% of Futuretrack graduates are working in non-graduate jobs that, they feel, don't make use of their skills and knowledge.

However, there is some cause for optimism. Some 60% of working graduates are satisfied with their job, while 70% are positive about their future career options.

An overwhelming majority - 96% of respondents - would still do a degree if they had the choice to start again. 

In addition, just 8% of the 2006 cohort didn't graduate, with non-graduates going on to earn less than graduates in their first job.

Jane Artess, research director at HECSU, commented, 'Students focus mainly on their studies while at university, particularly in their final year, so graduating into one of the worst recessions in history has hit them hard.

'What's gratifying is that even in the wake of the recession, the onset of higher fees and large debts, graduates remain positive in the face of adversity with great confidence that their degree has been worth it.'