‘At the University of Surrey, we are proud of the significant achievements of our graduates reflected in this report. It is our mission to develop talented, adaptable, and highly employable global students and graduates. We achieve this by delivering transformative professional development, career management skills with a growth mindset, supported through work-based learning, online courses, awards, and placement schemes. We are delighted that the outcomes in this report reflect the dedication of our teams, our collaboration with employers and the talent of our students.’
Frances Gow, Head of Employability and Careers
01-15
THE HIGHLIGHTS
Discover the key employment findings of Surrey graduates, including top industries and occupations.
22-26 27-29 16-18 19-21
INTRODUCTION
Find out about the Graduate Outcomes survey, why we run it and what it aims to uncover.
GRADUATE OUTCOMES
See the comprehensive results from the 2020-21 Graduate Outcomes survey, from average salaries to top industries to work in.
RESULTS BY DEPARTMENT
Find out the top highlights from 23 departments at Surrey, including the employment rate and most popular occupations from each department.
INTERNATIONAL RESULTS
See how many of our international graduates, from 24 countries, are employed or in further education.
Introduction
The Graduate Outcomes survey is the biggest annual social survey in the UK and captures the perspectives, current employment and further studies of university graduates.
All graduates who completed a higher education course in the UK between 1 August 2020 and 31 July 2021 were invited to take part in the latest survey.
GRADUATE INSIGHTS
In addition to finding out what graduates are doing after their studies, the Graduate Outcomes survey also discovers a more in-depth ‘graduate voice’, understanding:
• How meaningful or important they feel their job or further study is
• Whether they’re using the skills gained from their qualification in their current job or study
• How they’re progressing towards their future goals.
The survey also allows us to gather deeper insights into graduates pursuing non-traditional career paths, such as those developing creative portfolios or setting up a business.
RUNNING THE SURVEY
Graduates were surveyed by telephone or online, approximately 15 months after completing their studies.
The survey is run and managed by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), to ensure that any data gathered remains impartial and of high quality. We supply Surrey graduate details to HESA and promote the survey itself, both during our students’ time at Surrey, upon graduation and before each survey begins.
HOW THIS SURVEY WILL BE USED
The survey results will feed into league tables, and the OfS (Office for Students) data to inform Student Outcomes, The Teaching Excellence Framework and our Access and Participation Plan targets. In addition, it is used in the media and to inform policy. Most importantly, we can continue to support and celebrate both our current students and graduates, and build on their employability as the next generation of workforce and future change-makers
Graduate Outcomes Results
GRADUATES IN EMPLOYMENT
95% Overall
Surrey graduates who have said they’re working or in full-time study (or both).
Graduates who state they are working or studying (or both) out of all respondents who are working, studying or seeking work. All other categories are excluded. Includes complete and incomplete responses where an activity has been reported.
GRADUATE LEVEL DESTINATIONS
89% Overall
Surrey graduates who have gone on to graduate level roles, as opposed to roles that do not require a degree.
Only includes complete responses. *Full-time, first degree
Surrey graduates who either took a work placement, or didn’t, and whether they went on to a graduate level destination.
Data is from UK undergraduates, full-time, first degree in work or study
IN GRADUATE LEVEL WORK OR STUDY
Placement No placement
Average salary for Surrey graduates who are now in full time work and paid above minimum wage.
£31,135
£30,018
£32,720
£45,390
In addition to finding out what graduates are doing after their studies, the Graduate Outcomes survey also asked more in-depth questions to understand how they felt about their career or further study.
Here are the number of respondents who answered “agree” or “strongly agree” to the following statements.
My current activity is meaningful
My current activity fits with my future plans
I am utilising what I learnt during my studies in my current activity
TOP 10 GRADUATE JOBS
TOP 10 EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
RESEARCH
AVERAGE SALARY
£30,500
POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
1
CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONALS
UNDERGRADUATE
CHEMICAL AND PROCESS ENGINEERING
POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
AVERAGE SALARY
£31,304
£34,500
UNDERGRADUATE POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
1
ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
1
ENGINEERING ACTIVITIES AND RELATED TECHNICAL CONSULTANCY
2
TERTIARY EDUCATION
2
SALES, MARKETING AND RELATED ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS
CHEMISTRY
UNDERGRADUATE
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
AVERAGE SALARY
£28,247 UNDERGRADUATE
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
1
NATURAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS
2
TEACHING PROFESSIONALS
CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Graduate level destinations UNDERGRADUATE
Graduates currently in employment or further study
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
1
ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
1
ENGINEERING ACTIVITIES AND RELATED TECHNICAL CONSULTANCY
2
CONSTRUCTION OF OTHER CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECTS
AVERAGE SALARY
£31,729 UNDERGRADUATE
UNDERGRADUATE
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
TAUGHT
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
1 2
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS BUSINESS, RESEARCH AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
2 1 3
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING ACTIVITIE S INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANCY ACTIVITIES OTHER MONETARY INTERMEDIATION
£37,588
AVERAGE SALARY
UNDERGRADUATE
£41,778
POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT
£42,000
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
ECONOMICS
UNDERGRADUATE
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
2 2 1 1 3 3
FINANCE PROFESSIONALS
BUSINESS, RESEARCH AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS
BUSINESS ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS
ACCOUNTING, BOOKKEEPING AND AUDITING ACTIVITIES; TAX CONSULTANCY
AVERAGE SALARY
£34,327
£40,000
UNDERGRADUATE POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
OTHER MONETARY INTERMEDIATION
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANCY ACTIVITIES
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING
UNDERGRADUATE POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
TAUGHT
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
2 2 1 1 3 3
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS
ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS
NATURAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING ACTIVITIES
AVERAGE SALARY
£33,319
£60,553
UNDERGRADUATE POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANCY ACTIVITIES
TERTIARY EDUCATION
GUILDFORD SCHOOL OF ACTING
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
2 2 1 1 3 3
ARTISTIC, LITERARY AND MEDIA OCCUPATIONS
TEACHING PROFESSIONALS
SALES, MARKETING AND RELATED ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS
PERFORMING ARTS
AVERAGE SALARY
£29,186
£31,560
UNDERGRADUATE POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT
GENERAL SECONDARY EDUCATION
OPERATION OF ARTS FACILITIES
UNDERGRADUATE
HOSPITALITY & TOURISM MANAGEMENT
POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
2 1 1 3
SALES, MARKETING AND RELATED ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS
MANAGERS AND PROPRIETORS IN HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE SERVICES
BUSINESS ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS
AVERAGE SALARY
HOTELS AND SIMILAR ACCOMMODATION
2
ADVERTISING AGENCIES
£32,529 UNDERGRADUATE
UNDERGRADUATE
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
TAUGHT
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
2 1 1 3 3
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS
BUSINESS, RESEARCH AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS
FINANCE PROFESSIONALS
NON-LIFE INSURANCE
AVERAGE SALARY
£32,077
UNDERGRADUATE
£52,333
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
2
ACCOUNTING, BOOKKEEPING AND AUDITING ACTIVITIES; TAX CONSULTANCY
GENERAL SECONDARY EDUCATION
UNDERGRADUATE
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCES
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
2 2 1 1 3 3
ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS
BUSINESS, RESEARCH AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS
ENGINEERING ACTIVITIES AND RELATED TECHNICAL CONSULTANCY
AVERAGE SALARY
£31,026
£42,000
UNDERGRADUATE POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
MANUFACTURE OF AIR AND SPACECRAFT AND RELATED MACHINERY
MANUFACTURE OF MOTOR VEHICLES
UNDERGRADUATE
MUSIC AND MEDIA
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
1 1
ARTISTIC, LITERARY AND MEDIA OCCUPATIONS
2
TEACHING PROFESSIONALS
£29,640
UNDERGRADUATE
AVERAGE SALARY
£41,000
POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT
SOUND RECORDING AND MUSIC PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES
£38,000
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
UNDERGRADUATE
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
PHYSICS
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
2 1 1
NATURAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS
£31,821
AVERAGE SALARY
£46,412
UNDERGRADUATE POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
HOSPITAL ACTIVITIES
POLITICS
UNDERGRADUATE
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
AVERAGE SALARY
£28,714
UNDERGRADUATE
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
1
BUSINESS, RESEARCH AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS
PSYCHOLOGY
UNDERGRADUATE
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
TAUGHT
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
2 2 1 1 3 3
THERAPY PROFESSIONALS
TEACHING PROFESSIONALS
£27,111
UNDERGRADUATE
HR, TRAINING AND OTHER VOCATIONAL ASSOCIATE GUIDANCE
PROFESSIONALS
OTHER HUMAN HEALTH ACTIVITIES
AVERAGE SALARY
£28,845
POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT
OTHER SOCIAL WORK ACTIVITIES WITHOUT ACCOMMODATION
N.E.C.
£43,372
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
TERTIARY EDUCATION
UNDERGRADUATE
SCHOOL OF BIOSCIENCES AND MEDICINE
TAUGHT
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
2 2 1 1 3 3
NATURAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS
SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND PRODUCTION TECHNICIANS
OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
HOSPITAL ACTIVITIES
AVERAGE SALARY
£27,310
£38,000
UNDERGRADUATE POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
OTHER HUMAN HEALTH ACTIVITIES
RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENT ON BIOTECHNOLOGY
SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
UNDERGRADUATE
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS HOSPITAL ACTIVITIES
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
2 2 1 1
NURSING PROFESSIONALS
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
£27,293
UNDERGRADUATE
AVERAGE SALARY
£38,859
POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT
3
HUMAN HEALTH ACTIVITIES
£52,500
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
MEDICAL PRACTICE ACTIVITIES
UNDERGRADUATE
SCHOOL OF LAW
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
RESEARCH
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
2 1 1
LEGAL PROFESSIONALS BUSINESS, RESEARCH AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS
AVERAGE SALARY
£27,146 UNDERGRADUATE
LEGAL ACTIVITIES
SCHOOL OF LITERATURE AND LANGUAGES
UNDERGRADUATE
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
2 1 3
SALES, MARKETING AND RELATED ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS
TEACHING PROFESSIONALS
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
2 1
ARTISTIC, LITERARY AND MEDIA OCCUPATIONS
£25,179
AVERAGE SALARY
UNDERGRADUATE
ADVERTISING AGENCIES GENERAL SECONDARY EDUCATION
£26,711
POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT
UNDERGRADUATE
SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
TAUGHT
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
1 1
VETERINARIANS
£33,094
AVERAGE SALARY
£55,163
VETERINARY ACTIVITIES
SOCIOLOGY
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
2 1 1
SALES, MARKETING AND RELATED ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS
PROTECTIVE SERVICE OCCUPATIONS
3
BUSINESS, RESEARCH AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS
ADVERTISING AGENCIES
AVERAGE SALARY
£27,396 UNDERGRADUATE
2
PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY ACTIVITIES
3
OTHER SOCIAL WORK ACTIVITIES WITHOUT ACCOMMODATION
SURREY BUSINESS SCHOOL
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
2 1 1 3 3
SALES, MARKETING AND RELATED ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS
BUSINESS, RESEARCH AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS
ACCOUNTING, BOOKKEEPING AND AUDITING ACTIVITIES; TAX CONSULTANCY
AVERAGE SALARY
£29,752
£39,163 UNDERGRADUATE POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT
2
TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANCY ACTIVITIES
PROGRAMMING ACTIVITIES
POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT
SURREY INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION
MOST POPULAR GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
Graduates currently in employment or further study
Graduate level destinations
MOST POPULAR EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES
1 1
2
TEACHING PROFESSIONALS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (RANDD) AND OTHER RESEARCH PROFESSIONALS
AVERAGE SALARY
£41,274 POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT
TERTIARY EDUCATION
International Results
Percentage of graduates in employment who are domiciled outside of the UK.
