Universities look to tackle concerns surrounding graduate employability, as new poll suggests lack of public confidence.

A recent survey commissioned by Universities UK has shown that 7 in 10 people believe that universities and higher education institutes could do more to help the country succeed.

A majority of respondents to the poll (86%) also believe that the country’s future depends on its ability to make use of the skills and talents of the population. 

In response to this, Universities UK is launching Future Universities; a project which aims to work with businesses, educators and policymakers to better understand the impact higher education can have on the UK economy. This will equip graduates with skills best suited for a highly competitive job market and connecting businesses to them.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) graduate outcomes survey for the year 2022/2023 showed that 88% of graduates were in some form of work or further study 15 months after graduation while 85% of UK graduates say that their current activity feels meaningful and fits in with future plans. 

The numbers look cautiously optimistic, but do not take into account immediate graduate role outcomes and recent graduates have been affected. The survey concluded that 74% believed that universities in the UK are important in creating future economic success, reinstating their belief in the higher education system. 

This is certainly reflected through data collected from the Graduate Lamour Market Statistics (GLMS); graduates ultimately enjoy higher employment rates and better pay than non-graduates. However, recent and projected changes to undergraduate tuition fees remains a point of contention, with many arguing that the cost will soon outweigh the potential benefit. 

‘It is understandably an uncertain time for people at the moment. From rapid advancements in AI, to shifting global order, or the urgent need to grow the economy in every part of the country, the world is changing and the UK must be ready to lead, not follow,’ says Professor Malcom Press CBE, President of Universities UK. 

Concerns such as the emergence of AI, will continue to have an impact on the graduate job market. A recent study by King’s College London shows that firms exposed to AI were less likely to post vacancies for technical roles such as software engineers and data analysts. Projects such as Future Universities aim to address such issues and provide a clear path to actionable solutions for better graduate outcomes.