Education : Career areas

A 2011 HESA survey of 2010 graduates indicates that six months after graduation almost three-quarters of those completing courses with qualified teacher status (QTS) went into full-time paid work and 56% of these entered teaching.

Other education graduates generally enter jobs working directly with children or young people, in a support capacity, or opt to apply for jobs for which any degree is acceptable, competing with graduates from other subjects.

Other roles in an educational setting, but with less direct contact with children or young people, include administration roles in education. There are posts available in other public sector organisations, such as local government, the health service and the civil service.

Where are the jobs?

The main employers of education graduates are usually local government education authorities as they have the responsibility for schools. Some education graduates may go on to work in colleges or for private schools where you will be employed directly by the institution. Central government departments and universities also employ education graduates to work in policy or research roles.

Other employers in this area include museums, community and voluntary organisations. For more detail, look into the following areas:

• Education
• Government and public administration
• Charity and development work

See industry insights for further information on possibilities in other employment areas.

Statistics are collected every year to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, because the data is collected within six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out What Do Graduates Do?  and your degree...what next?