Student Employability Index 2014 Part One
Aaron Porter
NCUB is supported by the following:
03
Executive Summary Overall, the results painted a compelling picture of the extent to which students are already engaged with issues that relate to and support employability.
Over 95% of students stated it was ‘somewhat
Home region was also significant in determining
important’ or ‘essential’ that their university
the likelihood of undertaking work experience or
had business, industry or employer links, with
internships with only 21% of the students from
92% specifically stating it was important to be
Wales having done so, rising to 38% from Northern
provided with opportunities for placements, work
Ireland and 41% from Scotland.
experience or internships. Usage of services such as the careers services There were a number of interesting variances by
varied significantly by university too. At one
discipline studied. Only 15% of students studying
university only 23% of students used the
medicine stated that had used their careers or
careers services, whereas this was as high as
employability support, but this rose to 49% of
54% at another.
mathematics and computing students and 48% in business studies.
Part two of this report will share the findings from our research into student views on the extent to
The extent to which students engaged with
which employability shaped their choice of course
employability support and part-time work also varied
and institution, and their views of various sectors
significantly by home region. Students originally
for future employment. We hope that these
coming from Scotland (29%) and the East Midlands
findings will provide a useful source of information
(30%) were the least likely to have used their
to better understand the landscape in relation to
university employability services, whilst students from
employability, what students value and how this
the East of England (45%) and non-EU international
varies across a range of factors including university,
students (49%) were the most likely to have done so.
home region and discipline studied.
04
Introduction This is the first of two reports which will share the key findings from the survey, with part one primarily focussing on student views on the quality of careers and employability support and feedback on part-time work, work experience, placements and internships. We were delighted to work with Compass Group on this research, as not only do they employ a considerable number of students and graduates across their operation, they also work with more than 320 Universities worldwide, delivering catering and support services that enhance the student experience. Both Compass and the NCUB, believe this research provides fantastic insight into the importance students place on employability and hope that this new information will support continuous enhancements in the higher education sector as well as how business can engage and add value to it.
The survey sought student views in 4 main areas:
Student views on the quality of careers and employability support during
their time as a student.
Feedback on part-time work, work experience and internships and the extent to
which it has aided personal and professional development.
The extent to which employability and destinations shaped
choice of subject and institution - Part 2.
Student views on sectors for future employment - Part 2.
05
In its first year, the Student Employability Index has surveyed over 4000 students. (200 from 20 English universities - 100 first year undergraduate students, 100 other year undergraduate students).
The students in the sample were recruited by research agency YouthSight, the students in our sample opted to participate in the research.
The 20 universities selected to participate in this were as follows:
06
Background Research to understand student views in 4 primary areas:
01
Quality, usage and value of careers and
02
employability support
03
Extent to which employability shaped subject choice and institution (part 2)
Feedback on part-time work, work experience and internships
04
Views on sectors for future employment (part 2)
07 Which of these best describes the main subject area, course or speciality you are studying?
TABLE 1
Combined Education Creative Arts & Design History & Philosophy Languages Mass Communications & Documentation Business & Administration Law Social Studies Architecture, Building & Planning Engineering & Technology Maths & Computer Sciences Physical Sciences Veterinary Science & Related Subjects Biological Sciences Subjects Allied to Medicine Medicine & Dentistry 0
50
100
150
200
250 STUDENTS
300
350
400
450
500
University careers and employability support
09
Percentage of students that have used the university employability services?
OVERALL
FIRST YEAR
24.1%
37.9% OTHER YEAR
54%
44.8% PRE-92 UNIVERSITY
34.4% POST-92 UNIVERSITY
39.2% 37.1% MALE
FEMALE
Lowest - 13% Highest - 49% Combined
Education
Creative Arts & Design
History & Philosophy
Languages
Mass Communications
Business Studies
Law
Social Studies
Architecture
Engineering & Technology
Maths & Computer Sciences
Physical Sciences
Veterinary Science & Related Subjects
TABLE 2
Biological Sciences
Subjects Allied to Medicine
Medicine & Dentistry
PERCENTAGE
10 Percentage of students that have used their employability services (by discipline)
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Lowest - 29%
Non-EU
European Union
North West
North East
Yorkshire & Humberside
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Wales
East
West Midlands
East Midlands
South West
TABLE 3
South East
London
Average
PERCENTAGE
11
Percentage of students that have used their employability services (by home region)
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Highest - 49%
12
TABLE 4
Use of employability services by university
60
50
PERCENTAGE
40
30
20
10
0 A
B
Highest - 54%
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
Lowest - 23%
Letters A-T represent each of the 20 universities participating in our study. We have not published the university breakdown, but the individual universities have privately received their results.
O
P
Q
R
S
T
13
TABLE 5
How do you rate the quality of your university’s employability services?
2000 1800 1600
PERCENTAGE
1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 EXCELLENT
VERY GOOD
22%
47%
ADEQUATE
27%
POOR
VERY POOR
3%
1%
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TABLE 6
Quality of careers services rated as (4/5 or 5/5) by university
100
PERCENTAGE
80
60
40
20
0 A
Lowest - 45%
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
Highest - 82%
Letters A-T represent each of the 20 universities participating in our study. We have not published the university breakdown, but the individual universities have privately received their results.
O
P
Q
R
S
T
Part-time work
16
TABLE 7
Percentage of students working part-time by home region
50 45 40 35
PERCENTAGE
30 25 20 15 10 5
Yes - 34.8%
No - 65.2%
(Overall)
Letters A-T represent each of the 20 universities participating in our study. We have not published the university breakdown, but the individual universities have privately received their results.
Rest of the World
European Union
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
East Anglia
North East
North West
West Midlands
East Midlands
South West
South East
London
0
Lowest - 22.7%
Combined
Education
Creative Arts & Design
History & Philosophy
Languages
Mass Communications
Business Studies
Law
Social studies
Architecture
Engineering & Technology
Maths & Computer Sciences
Physical Sciences
Veterinary Science & Related Subjects
TABLE 8
Biological Sciences
Subjects Allied to Medicine
Medicine & Dentistry
PERCENTAGE
17
% students undertaking part-time work
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Highest - 49.3%
Industry/business links in the curriculum
19
TABLE 9
How important do you think it is for universities to have business, industry or employer links?
3000
PERCENTAGE
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
ESSENTIAL
SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT
66%
29%
INDIFFERENT
4%
NOT VERY IMPORTANT
1%
NOT AT ALL IMPORTANT
–
Lowest - 81% Highest - 100% Combined
Education
Creative Arts & Design
History & Philosophy
Languages
Mass Communications
Business Studies
Law
Social Studies
Architecture
Engineering & Technology
Maths & Computer Sciences
Physical Sciences
Veterinary Science & Related Subjects
TABLE 10
Biological Sciences
Subjects Allied to Medicine
Medicine & Dentistry
PERCENTAGE
20
Important for universities to have industry/employer links (4/5 or 5/5)
100
80
60
40
20
0
21
Important for universities to have employer links essential or somewhat important
TABLE 11
100 98 96
PERCENTAGE
94 92 90 88 86 84 82 80 A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Highest - 99%
Letters A-T represent each of the 20 universities participating in our study. We have not published the university breakdown, but the individual universities have privately received their results.
Q
R
S
T
Lowest - 90%
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TABLE 12
What sorts of university/business links do you think would be helpful
Industry/Business Content In Curriculum
Mentors from Industry or Business
Lectures From Industry & Business Leaders
CV Clinics
Careers Advice / Service
Placements, Work Experience & Internships 0
10
20
30
40
50 PERCENT
Male
Female
All
60
70
80
90
100
23
Percentage of students who felt there was not enough industry, business, or employer content
TABLE 13
Combined Education Creative Arts & Design History & Philosophy Languages Mass Communications Business Studies Law Social Studies Architecture Engineering & Technology Maths & Computer Sciences Physical Sciences Veterinary Science & Related Biological Sciences Subjects Allied to Medicine Medicine & Dentistry 0
5
10
15
20
25
30
PERCENT
Highest - 29%
Lowest - 13%
35
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TABLE 14
Not enough industry content in their degree (by university)
50 45 40
PERCENTAGE
35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 A
Lowest - 16%
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
Highest - 35%
Letters A-T represent each of the 20 universities participating in our study. We have not published the university breakdown, but the individual universities have privately received their results.
O
P
Q
R
S
T
Placements, work experience and internships
26
FIGURE 1
Have you undertaken any work experience or internships since you’ve become a university student? (for second, third and finalists only)
YES 47%
NO 53%
27
Students who agree placements, work experience would be helpful (by university)
TABLE 15
100
PERCENTAGE
95
90
85
80
75 A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Highest - 99%
Letters A-T represent each of the 20 universities participating in our study. We have not published the university breakdown, but the individual universities have privately received their results.
Q
R
S
T
Lowest - 85%
28
TABLE 16
Undertaking work experience/placements (by university)
45 40 35
PERCENTAGE
30 25 20 15 10 5 0 A
B
Highest - 40%
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
Lowest - 17%
Letters A-T represent each of the 20 universities participating in our study. We have not published the university breakdown, but the individual universities have privately received their results.
O
P
Q
R
S
T
29
TABLE 17
Students undertaking work experience or internships by subject
Combined Education Creative Arts & Design History & Philosophy Languages Mass Communications & Documentation Business & Administration Law Social Studies Architecture, Building & Planning Engineering & Technology Maths & Computer Sciences Physical Sciences Veterinary Science & Related Subjects Biological Sciences Subjects Allied to Medicine Medicine & Dentistry 0
10
20
30
40
PERCENTAGE
50
60
70
Lowest - 21% Highest - 41% Non-Eu
European Union
North West
North East
Yorkshire & Humberside
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Wales
East
West Midlands
East Midlands
TABLE 18
South West
South East
London
PERCENTAGE
30
Undertaking work experience/placements (by home region)
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
31
TABLE 19
Who organised your work experience or internship?
900 800
PERCENTAGE
700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 YOUR UNIVERSITY
YOU
30%
57%
A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND
11%
OTHER
2%
Highest - 78% Lowest - 16% Combined
Education
Creative Arts & Design
History & Philosophy
Languages
Mass Communications
Business Studies
Law
Social Studies
Architecture
Engineering & Technology
Maths & Computer Sciences
Physical Sciences
Veterinary Science & Related Subjects
TABLE 20
Biological Sciences
Subjects Allied to Medicine
Medicine & Dentistry
PERCENTAGE
32
Work experience organised by university (broken down by subject)
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
33
Work experience organised by your university (broken down by university)
TABLE 21
70
60
PERCENTAGE
50
40
30
20
10
0 A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Highest - 63%
Letters A-T represent each of the 20 universities participating in our study. We have not published the university breakdown, but the individual universities have privately received their results.
Q
R
S
T
Lowest - 17%
34
To come in part 2...
01 The extent to which employability has shaped choice of institution and course
02 Student views on sectors for future employment
35
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or
Stephanie.scott-davies@ncub.co.uk
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