What Do Masters Graduates Do? 2007 Overview The Higher Education Careers Service Unit (HECSU) produces an annual web-based resource, looking at postgraduate destinations, What Do Postgraduates Do? The study is based on raw data from the Destination of Leavers of Higher Education (DLHE) survey, from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), and looks at the destinations of postgraduates six months after they left university. This document looks at the destinations of Masters graduates from 2005, and examines the outcomes of this group of university leavers in comparison to those of 2004. NB: The destinations of doctoral graduates from 2005 will be the subject of an update from HECSU and the UK Grad Programme later in 2007. In 2005, 41725 masters degrees were awarded to UK-domiciled graduates by UK universities. Of them, 70.5%, or 29430, gave information to the survey. After a minimal rise in the number of graduates from masters degrees in 2004, the figures from 2005 showed a modest increase of 3.9%, keeping pace with the increase in first degree graduates during the same period. There is little evidence of an ongoing explosion in the number of masters qualifiers, as is popularly assumed. Women made up 53.3% of the respondent population, and 52.7% of Masters qualifications were the result of full-time study. Masters degrees continue to be studied part-time as a component of professional development, particularly in highly vocational areas. Just over half, 50.9%, of Masters graduates were over 30 years old when they graduated. Subjects studied from Business Studies to Clinical Medicine 4,390 graduates reached Masters level in business studies in 2005, giving it 10.5% of the qualifying population. This represents a substantial fall over 2004 figures, but still leaves the subject as comfortably the most popular Masters degree. 2,240 management Masters were awarded, or 5.4% of the total, and 5.0% were achieved in subjects relating to the academic study of education - equating to 2,070 Masters graduates. All three top subjects had large proportions of mature and part-time qualifiers. Table one shows the most popular subjects.
Subject Number of Percentage of graduates graduating cohort Business studies 4390 10.5% Management studies 2240 5.4% Academic studies in education 2070 5.0% Law 1605 3.8% Psychology 1545 3.7% Computer science 1395 3.3% History 1395 3.3% Politics 1365 3.3% Others in subjects allied to 1165 2.8% medicine English studies 950 2.3% Human resource management 905 2.2% Clinical medicine 845 2.0% Table One: Most popular subjects of UK-domiciled masters graduates from 2005 First destinations 69.3% of masters graduates were in work in the UK 6 months after graduating. Another 9.5% of masters graduates were combining work and study - meaning just under four in five masters graduates - 78.8% - from 2005 were working at the start of 2006. Of the remainder, 7.5% of masters graduates had gone on to study further in the UK, and 3.0% had gone overseas to start their careers in work or study. 3.3% were unavailable for work or study (mainly travelling) and 4.2% were unemployed. Working and studying 9.5% Entered study or training in the UK 7.5% Working or studying overseas 3.0% Not available for work or study 3.3% Entered work in the UK 69.3% Believed unemployed 4.2% Other 3.2% Figure One: Survey responses of UK-domiciled masters degree graduates from 2005
Types of work Of the Masters graduates from 2005 who replied to the survey, 23,410 entered work in the UK. Just under a quarter of working graduates, 5,090 or 22.0% of the population, had entered a management role six months after graduating. Although this is an obvious product of the importance of business and management subjects, many other subjects also saw significant numbers of graduates entering these jobs. Masters in Education accounted for one in eight graduates, 2900, many of whom had studied part time. The popular field of other professionals, was largely made up of general researchers in academia, town planners and architects. Table Two below shows the types of work that the whole masters group went into. It is significant to note that, relative to undergraduate study, few masters graduates went into work that would be considered 'non-graduate'. In 2005, 13.2% of Masters graduates started work in jobs that did not require a degree, mainly in entry-level office work. However, for some subjects, especially in the arts and humanities, this figure was much higher. Type of work % of population Number of graduates Marketing, Sales and Advertising Professionals 2.7% 625 Commercial, Industrial and Public Sector Managers 22.0% 5090 Scientific Research, Analysis & Development Professionals 3.1% 710 Engineering Professional 3.1% 720 Health Professionals and Associate Professionals 7.1% 1645 Education Professionals 12.5% 2900 Business and Financial Professionals and Associate Professionals 9.0% 2080 Information Technology Professionals 4.3% 990 Arts, Design, Culture and Sports Professionals 5.2% 1200 Legal Professionals 1.2% 275 Social & Welfare Professionals 5.8% 1340 Other Professionals, Associate Professional and Technical Occupations 11.9% 2745 Numerical Clerks and Cashiers 0.9% 215 Other Clerical and Secretarial Occupations 5.8% 1350 Retail, Catering, Waiting and Bar Staff 1.7% 400 Other Occupations 3.6% 830 Unknown Occupations 0.1% 35 Total 100% 23140 Table Two: Types of work undertaken by UK-domiciled masters degree students graduating in 2005 and working in the UK In the next section, the destinations of particular subject categories will be examined in detail.
Arts and Humanities Overall 2005 saw 8,555 people graduate with masters degrees in the arts and humanities, with 6,080 replying to the first destination survey, a response rate of 71.1% Women made up 60.7% of the respondent population, and 66.6% of Masters qualification in the field were the result of full-time study. 41.9%, of Masters graduates in these subjects were over 30 years old when they graduated. Subjects studied 1,395 masters graduates got degrees in history, representing one in six, 16.3%, of all masters graduates in arts and humanities. One in nine, 11.1%, got degrees in English, and 8.1% in design. Other popular subjects included: Information services Fine art Media studies Music Theology Drama Philosophy Archaeology Cinematics & photography Imaginative writing Journalism First destinations 62.3% of masters graduates in the arts and humanities were in work in the UK 6 months after graduating. Another 9.0% of masters graduates were combining work and study. (See Figure Two.) Of the remainder, 11.0% of masters graduates had gone on to study further in the UK a relatively high number, and demonstrating a willingness amongst this group to enter further study - and 3.5% had gone overseas to start their careers in work or study. 5.4% were unavailable for work or study - mainly travelling - and 4.6% were unemployed at the time of the survey down from the 2004 figure of 5.3%, but still above the average of all masters degree graduates, which stood at 4.2%
Working and studying 9.0% Entered study or training in the UK 11.0% Working or studying overseas 3.5% Not available for work or study 5.4% Entered work in the UK 62.3% Believed unemployed 4.6% Other 4.2% Figure Two: Survey responses of UK-domiciled masters degree graduates from 2005 Types of work Of the arts and humanities graduates from 2005 who replied to the survey, 4,320 entered work in the UK 71.1% of the overall respondent population. 21.1% of those working had entered a profession in the arts, design, media or sports, with journalism, arts officers, translators, fine artists and authors all well represented. Another 15.2% - 660 graduates had entered education. Amongst this group, parttime professional development amongst university, further education and secondary school teachers and lecturers made up a significant number of respondents. Just over one in ten graduates, 10.8%, in these subjects, went into management in a wide range of different types of job. Arts and humanities masters graduates went into a very wide range of roles in the economy on graduation. However, they were much more likely than other Masters graduates to begin their careers after completing their qualification in a job that did not require a degree with 24.3% of graduates in non-graduate roles. These jobs were very likely to be in entry-level office roles which allow a graduate to gain experience of work and progress, and it is likely that a follow-up survey would find many of these graduates working at a higher level relatively soon after this survey.
Type of work % of Number of population graduates Marketing, Sales and Advertising Professionals 4.2% 180 Commercial, Industrial and Public Sector Managers 10.8% 465 Scientific Research, Analysis & Development Professionals 0.2% 10 Engineering Professional 0.5% 20 Health Professionals and Associate Professionals 0.9% 40 Education Professionals 15.2% 660 Business and Financial Professionals and Associate Professionals 4.3% 185 Information Technology Professionals 1.7% 75 Arts, Design, Culture and Sports Professionals 21.1% 915 Legal Professionals 0.6% 25 Social & Welfare Professionals 1.7% 75 Other Professionals, Associate Professional and Technical Occupations 14.4% 620 Numerical Clerks and Cashiers 1.0% 40 Other Clerical and Secretarial Occupations 12.3% 530 Retail, Catering, Waiting and Bar Staff 4.1% 175 Other Occupations 6.9% 295 Unknown Occupations 0.2% 10 Total graduates 100% 4320 Table Three: Types of work undertaken by UK-domiciled masters degree students graduating in arts and humanities subjects in 2005 and working in the UK The top ten jobs entered by Masters graduates in arts and humanities subjects in the UK six months after graduating are shown below General office assistants/clerks not elsewhere classified 4.4% 190 Secondary teachers 3.6% 160 Librarians 3.3% 140 University and higher education lecturers 2.8% 120 Further education teaching professionals 2.5% 110 Clergy 2.6% 110 Editors 2.4% 105 Artists (fine art) 2.1% 90 Library assistants/clerks 2.0% 85 Journalists 1.8% 80 Table Four: Most common jobs undertaken by UK-domiciled masters degree students in arts and humanities graduating in 2005 and working in the UK
Biological sciences Overall 1,630 Masters degrees were awarded in biological science subjects in 2005. This number is down significantly on last year because, (i) psychology has been moved into the biomedical sciences subject category in respect of outcomes at postgraduate level and (ii) Masters graduates in psychology often go into positions in educational psychology and other psychology specialisms. Women made up the majority of the respondent population, with 53.8%, and three quarters, 74.4% of Masters qualifications (in the field) were studied on a full time basis. Just over a quarter of graduates, 26.5%, were over 30 when they qualified well under the average for Masters study, and reflecting these qualifications as ones often progressed to by younger learners. Subjects studied Had psychology been included in this section, it would have accounted for nearly half of all Masters degrees awarded in biological sciences. With the subject being moved, the most popular area of study was in biology, with 370 graduates, 22.6% of the total. Many of these biologists specialised at Masters level, with marine biology and environmental biology the most popular subcategories. 270 degrees were awarded in agriculture, one in six of all biological science Masters, and 245 sports science Masters degrees were obtained. Other popular subjects included Microbiology Molecular biology, biophysics & biochemistry Genetics Food & beverage studies Zoology First destinations Of the 1,245 Masters graduates in biological sciences who replied to the survey, 780 were working six months after graduation, and another 125 were combining work and study. This means that nearly three quarters of graduates, 75.5%, were working in the UK six months after graduation, with another 2.9% working overseas. Another 13.7% were studying, mainly for PhDs this option was particularly common for biologists and microbiologists. 5.6% were unemployed six months after graduation, but no one subject showed a large number of unemployed graduates.
Working and studying 10.2% Entered study or training in the UK 13.7% Working or studying overseas 2.9% Not available for work or study 2.5% Believed unemployed 5.6% Entered work in the UK 62.9% Other 2.3% Figure Three: Survey responses of UK-domiciled masters degree graduates in biological science subjects from 2005 Types of work 905 biological science graduates had entered work, with or without further study, in the UK six months after graduation. These graduates went into a very wide range of occupations throughout the economy. Science, management and professional and technical occupations largely as technicians and conservation officers being the most popular. Those Masters graduates entering scientific roles typically did so in areas closely related to their subject of study. The majority of this group of graduate had studied part time, but were under 30 years old, suggesting that the qualification was part of an early career strategy.
Type of work % of population Number of graduates Marketing, Sales and Advertising Professionals 2.8% 25 Commercial, Industrial and Public Sector Managers 11.6% 105 Scientific Research, Analysis & Development Professionals 19.0% 170 Engineering Professional 2.0% 20 Health Professionals and Associate Professionals 3.0% 25 Education Professionals 6.5% 60 Business and Financial Professionals and Associate Professionals 4.7% 40 Information Technology Professionals 2.0% 20 Arts, Design, Culture and Sports Professionals 4.2% 40 Legal Professionals 0.2% 0 Social & Welfare Professionals 4.5% 40 Other Professionals, Associate Professional and Technical Occupations 21.8% 195 Numerical Clerks and Cashiers 0.8% 10 Other Clerical and Secretarial Occupations 6.9% 60 Retail, Catering, Waiting and Bar Staff 3.0% 25 Other Occupations 6.7% 60 Unknown Occupations 0.1% 0 Total 100% 905 Table Five: Types of work undertaken by UK-domiciled masters degree students graduating in biological sciences in 2005 and working in the UK The wide range of jobs entered by this group is shown by the list of most common jobs entered. No role gains particular prevalence, and a number of different types of work are represented, with biochemistry coming out at the top. Biochemists, medical scientists 9.0% 80 Conservation, heritage and environmental protection officers 6.2% 55 Scientific researchers 3.9% 35 Education psychologists 3.0% 25 General office assistants/clerks 2.9% 25 Researchers (university - unspecified discipline) 2.9% 25 Biologists 2.4% 20 University and higher education lecturers 2.4% 20 Researchers not elsewhere classified 2.3% 20 Table Six: Most common jobs undertaken by UK-domiciled Masters degree graduates from 2005 in biological sciences who were working in the UK six months after graduating
Biomedical sciences Overall This section examines the first destinations for Masters degree graduates in biomedical subjects from 2005. Psychology graduates were included in this group, making its composition different to last year s data this is both because psychology outcomes at Masters level often have specialist medical outcomes which fit better with this area than for biological sciences, and to produce consistency with What Do PhDs Do?, from UKGrad where psychology is also included within biomedical sciences. 4,990 Masters degrees were awarded in biomedical disciplines in 2005, with 3,590 replying to the HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DHLE) survey a 71.9% response rate. The majority of graduates 61.2% - studied part time, and 63.6% were over 30 on graduation. Women make up 77% of the cohort in these disciplines and in psychology and nursing two very important subjects at Masters level - over 80% of the graduating cohort were women. Subjects studied 30.9% of graduates in this area studied psychology 1,545 graduates, with nearly half specialising at Masters level, in areas such as educational psychology, social psychology and occupational psychology. 16.9% - 845 graduates completed Masters qualifications in clinical medicine, whilst nursing, with 560 graduates, accounted for 11.2% Other popular subjects included Physiotherapy Clinical dentistry Therapy disciplines Occupational health Pharmacy First destinations Of the 3,590 Masters graduates in biomedical sciences who replied to the survey, 72.8% were working six months after graduation, and another 12.6% were combining work and study. Another 6.1% had entered study or training in the UK almost half of whom were psychologists going on to PhDs. Unemployment rates were low 2.3% - with no subjects showing a propensity to unemployment.
Working and studying 12.6% Entered study or training in the UK 6.1% Working or studying overseas 1.5% Entered work in the UK 72.8% Not available for work or study 2.1% Believed unemployed 2.3% Other 2.6% Figure Four: Survey responses of UK-domiciled masters degree graduates in biomedical science subjects from 2005 Types of work 3060 biomedical science graduates were known to be working in the UK six months after graduation. Unsurprisingly, health was a very common job type for graduates from these highly vocational degrees. 40.5% went into professions directly considered health-related, 16.7% entered social and welfare roles, in psychology, and 11.6% entered management, many in the health sector.
Type of work % of Number of population graduates Marketing, Sales and Advertising Professionals 0.6% 20 Commercial, Industrial and Public Sector Managers 11.6% 355 Scientific Research, Analysis & Development Professionals 7.3% 220 Engineering Professional 0.4% 10 Health Professionals and Associate Professionals 40.5% 1240 Education Professionals 6.5% 200 Business and Financial Professionals and Associate Professionals 2.6% 80 Information Technology Professionals 0.1% 5 Arts, Design, Culture and Sports Professionals 0.6% 15 Legal Professionals 0.2% 5 Social & Welfare Professionals 16.7% 510 Other Professionals, Associate Professional and Technical Occupations 8.1% 245 Numerical Clerks and Cashiers 0.2% 5 Other Clerical and Secretarial Occupations 1.9% 60 Retail, Catering, Waiting and Bar Staff 0.7% 25 Other Occupations 2.0% 60 Unknown Occupations 0.1% 5 Total 100% 3060 Table Seven: Types of work undertaken by UK-domiciled masters degree students in biomedical subjects, graduating in 2005 In terms of specific jobs, nursing was the most popular role for graduates in these disciplines, with 245 biomedical graduates working as nurses after graduation. Other popular job roles included working as registrars or consultants, physiotherapy and educational psychology. Very few graduates from these disciplines were in nongraduate roles six months after graduating. Nurses 8.1% 245 Specialist registrars, consultants and general practitioners 6.5% 200 Education psychologists 5.0% 155 Physiotherapists 5.0% 155 Biochemists, medical scientists 4.6% 140 Hospital and health service managers 4.3% 135 Psychologists 3.9% 120 University and higher education lecturers 3.1% 95 Researchers (university - unspecified discipline) 2.0% 60 Speech and language therapists 1.9% 55 Table Eight: Commonest jobs undertaken by UK-domiciled masters degree students in biomedical subjects, graduating in 2005 and working in the UK six months after graduating
Business and management Overall This section looks at destinations for UK-domiciled Masters graduates in business studies and management. 6,630 UK-domiciled graduates obtained Masters degrees in business or management in 2005, with 4,455 responding to the survey, a response rate of 67.2% The majority of respondents, 61.8%, were men, and two thirds had studied part time 66.8%. Over 70% were over 30 when they graduated, with 30% over 40. First destinations 4,455 social science graduates replied to the survey, and the first destinations reinforce the impression from the demographics of study that these are common subjects for continuing professional development. Over three quarters, 77.4%, were working in the UK six months after graduating, with a further 7.7% working and study. A very small proportion, only 2%, went onto further study. Unemployment stood at 4.1%, but was starkly different dependent on mode of study. For full time graduates, the rate was 9.1%, for part-timers, it stood at 1.6%. Working and studying 7.7% Entered study or training in the UK 2.0% Working or studying overseas 3.0% Entered work in the UK 77.4% Not available for work or study 2.3% Believed unemployed 4.1% Other 3.6% Figure Five: Survey responses of UK-domiciled masters degree graduates in social science subjects from 2005
Types of work 3,780 graduates in business and management subjects entered the workplace in the UK in 2005. The majority went into management positions, with business professions being the other main destination for graduates. Type of work % of population Number of graduates Marketing, Sales and Advertising Professionals 3.5% 135 Commercial, Industrial and Public Sector Managers 52.6% 1985 Scientific Research, Analysis & Development Professionals 0.3% 10 Engineering Professional 2.6% 100 Health Professionals and Associate Professionals 1.7% 65 Education Professionals 4.8% 180 Business and Financial Professionals and Associate Professionals 16.1% 610 Information Technology Professionals 2.9% 110 Arts, Design, Culture and Sports Professionals 1.0% 40 Legal Professionals 0.3% 15 Social & Welfare Professionals 1.1% 40 Other Professionals, Associate Professional and Technical Occupations 5.6% 210 Numerical Clerks and Cashiers 1.1% 40 Other Clerical and Secretarial Occupations 3.5% 130 Retail, Catering, Waiting and Bar Staff 0.7% 25 Other Occupations 2.0% 75 Unknown Occupations 0.1% 5 Total 100% 3780 Table Nine: Types of work undertaken by UK-domiciled masters degree students in business and management subjects, graduating in 2005
The most common jobs for graduates in these disciplines are management and business oriented, demonstrating the focus that these degrees have in the workplace. Production, works and maintenance managers 4.3% 160 Management consultants 4.1% 155 Marketing managers 3.5% 130 Finance managers and directors 2.7% 100 Hospital and health service managers 2.7% 100 Personnel managers 2.6% 100 Sales managers 2.6% 100 Business analysts 2.2% 80 Computer operations managers 1.9% 70 Personnel and recruitment consultants/advisers 1.8% 65 Table Ten: Commonest jobs undertaken by UK-domiciled masters degree students in business and management subjects, graduating in 2005 and working in the UK six months after graduation
Engineering and technology Overall This section looks at destinations for UK-domiciled Masters graduates in engineering and building in 2005. This section has been separated out from physical sciences due to differences in destinations and is presented for the first time in this format. 3,595 Masters degrees were awarded in engineering and building disciplines in 2005, with 2,495 replying to the HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DHLE) survey a 69.4% response rate. Unusually for higher education qualifications, the large majority of graduates in this area, 72.9%, were male. Most studied full time (53.6%), and nearly half, 48%, were over 40 when they graduated. Subjects studied 550 graduates studied planning, making it the most popular subject in this category in 2005. Engineering subjects, such as electrical engineering and civil engineering, as well as more general engineering study were the next most popular. Other popular subjects included Building Architecture Mechanical engineering Production & manufacturing engineering First destinations 2,495 engineering graduates replied to the survey, and the large majority were working, or combining work and study, on graduation. 4.3% were unemployed six months after completing their course. Electrical and electronic engineers, who suffer high unemployment at first degree level, also saw similar issues at Masters degree level, with an unemployment rate over 9%. Production and manufacturing engineering also saw elevated unemployment, whilst civil engineering, architecture and planning all enjoyed very low unemployment at Masters level.
Working and studying 7.7% Entered study or training in the UK 4.8% Working or studying overseas 3.2% Entered work in the UK 75.6% Not available for work or study 1.8% Believed unemployed 4.3% Other 2.7% Figure Six: Survey responses of UK-domiciled masters degree graduates in engineering science subjects from 2005 Types of work 2075 biomedical science graduates were known to be working in the UK six months after graduation. Graduates in these subjects were strongly congregated into certain areas, related to their subject of study management, engineering and building occupations. Very few went into non-graduate employment.
Numbe Type of work % of r of population gradua tes Marketing, Sales and Advertising Professionals 1.2% 25 Commercial, Industrial and Public Sector Managers 25.2% 525 Scientific Research, Analysis & Development 1.9% 40 Professionals Engineering Professional 21.9% 455 Health Professionals and Associate Professionals 0.2% 5 Education Professionals 2.5% 50 Business and Financial Professionals and Associate 4.6% 95 Professionals Information Technology Professionals 4.7% 100 Arts, Design, Culture and Sports Professionals 1.2% 25 Legal Professionals 0.1% 0 Social & Welfare Professionals 1.5% 30 Other Professionals, Associate Professional and Technical 28.4% 590 Occupations Numerical Clerks and Cashiers 0.6% 10 Other Clerical and Secretarial Occupations 2.3% 45 Retail, Catering, Waiting and Bar Staff 1.0% 20 Other Occupations 2.5% 50 Unknown Occupations 0.1% 0 Total 100% 2075 Table Eleven: Types of work undertaken by UK-domiciled masters degree students in biomedical subjects, graduating in 2005 All the most common jobs for these subjects are in roles directly related to their subject of study. This implies that many of these degrees provide a significant advantage (if they are not an outright necessity) for many careers in engineering and building. Town planners 6.6% 135 Architects 4.0% 85 Production, works and maintenance managers 3.9% 80 Mechanical engineers 3.3% 70 General practice surveyors 3.0% 60 Design and development engineers 2.5% 50 Army officers 2.4% 50 Civil engineers 2.2% 45 Managers in construction 2.1% 45 Conservation, heritage and environmental protection officers 1.9% 40 Table Twelve: Commonest jobs undertaken by UK-domiciled masters degree students in engineering subjects, graduating in 2005 and working in the UK six months after graduation
Physical sciences, mathematics and computing Overall This section looks at destinations for UK-domiciled Masters graduates in physical sciences, mathematics and IT. This section has been separated out from engineering and building subjects due to differences in destinations and is presented for the first time in this format. For the sake of brevity, the subject is referred to as physical sciences. 4,740 Masters degrees were awarded in physical science disciplines in 2005, with 3,395 replying to the HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DHLE) survey a 71.6% response rate. Just under two thirds of respondents were male 65.2%, and the large majority of graduates studied for their degrees full time (72.4%). Most graduates, 67%, were under 30 years of age on graduation. Subjects studied 1395 graduates took degrees in computer science, which was largely taken without specialisation. There were 765 environmental science graduates in 2005, and 705 in information systems. Other popular subjects included Mathematics Forensic & archaeological science Geology Chemistry Physics First destinations 3,395 physical science graduates replied to the survey, with most working or combining work and study. 10.9% had progressed to a further degree this is a higher proportion than the proportion for Masters study as a whole, but representing the importance of doctorates for many careers in physical science. 6.9%, the highest proportion at Masters level, were unemployed six months after graduating. Graduates in subjects associated with information technology, who have high unemployment rates at undergraduate level also experienced high unemployment rates at Masters level.
Working and studying 6.8% Entered study or training in the UK 10.9% Working or studying overseas 2.4% Not available for work or study 3.2% Believed unemployed 6.9% Entered work in the UK 66.8% Other 3.1% Figure Seven: Survey responses of UK-domiciled masters degree graduates in physical science subjects from 2005 Types of work 2,495 physical science graduates, 73.5% of the total respondents, were known to be working in the UK six months after graduation. With computing graduates making up a significant proportion of this cohort, it is unsurprising that a quarter of employed graduates from these subjects went into computing as a job. One in eight, 12.8%, went into management, and 11.0% were working in the business world these being primarily maths graduates. The section of other professionals is dominated by graduates in disciplines related to environmental sciences taking up posts in conservation and environmental planning. Masters graduates in physical sciences were relatively unlikely, compared to their first degree counterparts, to start their careers in jobs that did not require a degree. However, as shown in Table Fourteen, below, non-graduate level office work was still a significant destination for masters graduates in this area. These positions, however, are often taken by graduates who lack formal work experience. These graduates quickly progress, in the main, to jobs that more effectively utilise their skills once they have been able to demonstrate their ability.
Type of work % of Number of population graduates Marketing, Sales and Advertising Professionals 2.2% 55 Commercial, Industrial and Public Sector Managers 12.8% 320 Scientific Research, Analysis & Development Professionals 9.3% 235 Engineering Professional 3.7% 90 Health Professionals and Associate Professionals 1.4% 35 Education Professionals 5.0% 125 Business and Financial Professionals and Associate Professionals 11.0% 275 Information Technology Professionals 25.0% 625 Arts, Design, Culture and Sports Professionals 2.2% 55 Legal Professionals 0.1% 5 Social & Welfare Professionals 1.0% 25 Other Professionals, Associate Professional and Technical Occupations 13.4% 335 Numerical Clerks and Cashiers 1.2% 30 Other Clerical and Secretarial Occupations 5.4% 135 Retail, Catering, Waiting and Bar Staff 2.2% 55 Other Occupations 4.1% 105 Unknown Occupations 0.1% 5 Total 100.0% 2495 Table Thirteen: Types of work undertaken by UK-domiciled masters degree students in physical science subjects, graduating in 2005 Computing also shows strongly in the most popular jobs for this group of graduates, with seven of the top jobs being related to computing. Software designers and engineers 6.5% 160 Computer analysts and programmers 5.3% 135 Conservation, heritage and environmental protection officers 4.1% 100 IT consultants and planners 3.2% 80 General office assistants/clerks not elsewhere classified 2.6% 65 Network/systems designers and engineers 2.3% 55 Web developers and producers 2.1% 50 Statisticians 2.0% 50 IT operations technicians (network support) 2.0% 50 Computer operations managers 2.0% 50 Table Fourteen: Commonest jobs undertaken by UK-domiciled masters degree students in physical science subjects, graduating in 2005 and working in the UK six months after graduation
Social sciences Overall This section looks at destinations for UK-domiciled Masters graduates social sciences. 8,860 Masters degrees were awarded in social science disciplines in 2005, with 6,090 replying to the HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DHLE) survey a 68.7% response rate. The majority of respondents, 57.6%, were female, and most graduates had studied full time 59.8%. Nearly half, 44%, were over 30 years old when they graduated. Subjects studied 1580 graduates completed Masters qualifications in law in 2005, making it the most popular subject of study in the social sciences. 1365 graduates took degrees in politics, with a number of specialisms, such as international relations, and peace studies having significant numbers of graduates. There were also 905 qualifiers with Masters degrees in human resources. Other popular subjects included Social work Sociology Economics Marketing Finance Social policy All of which had over 500 graduates. First destinations 6,090 social science graduates replied to the survey, with outcomes being quite typical of Masters study in general. 66.8% went to work in the UK six months after graduating, and another 9.9% were combining work and study. The unemployment rate stood at 4.2%, but was significantly higher for Masters graduates in finance, and lower in social work, social policy and human resources.
Working and studying 9.9% Entered study or training in the UK 8.4% Working or studying overseas 4.1% Not available for work or study 3.8% Entered work in the UK 66.8% Believed unemployed 4.2% Other 2.8% Figure Eight: Survey responses of UK-domiciled masters degree graduates in social science subjects from 2005 Types of work 4,655 social science graduates, 76.4% of the total respondents, were known to be working in the UK six months after graduation. Management dominated the outcomes for these graduates, with over a quarter working in a management position six months after gaining their qualification. Another one in six, 16.7%, were in finance or business roles, and work in social or welfare positions was also strongly favoured. The section of other professionals is dominated by graduates in research posts.
Type of work % of Number of population graduates Marketing, Sales and Advertising Professionals 3.9% 185 Commercial, Industrial and Public Sector Managers 25.4% 1180 Scientific Research, Analysis & Development Professionals 0.4% 15 Engineering Professional 0.6% 25 Health Professionals and Associate Professionals 4.0% 185 Education Professionals 5.2% 240 Business and Financial Professionals and Associate Professionals 16.7% 775 Information Technology Professionals 1.2% 55 Arts, Design, Culture and Sports Professionals 2.0% 95 Legal Professionals 4.8% 225 Social & Welfare Professionals 12.0% 560 Other Professionals, Associate Professional and Technical Occupations 9.7% 450 Numerical Clerks and Cashiers 1.6% 75 Other Clerical and Secretarial Occupations 7.8% 365 Retail, Catering, Waiting and Bar Staff 1.5% 70 Other Occupations 3.3% 150 Unknown Occupations 0.2% 10 4655 Table Fifteen: Types of work undertaken by UK-domiciled masters degree students in social science subjects, graduating in 2005 Social work is a popular subject for Masters study, and graduates from the discipline have an unemployment rate just above 1%, so it is no surprise to see social work as the commonest job for Masters graduates in social sciences on (leaving) completing their course. A number of jobs related to another popular area of study, human resources, also make the top ten. Although the large majority of graduates in social sciences find work in jobs at graduate level, the third most common job, that of general office clerk, is the most common for those who enter non-graduate employment. Social workers 5.8% 270 Personnel managers 4.4% 205 General office assistants/clerks 3.2% 150 Personnel officers 3.1% 145 Social science researchers 2.8% 130 University and higher education lecturers 2.5% 115 Solicitors 2.2% 100 Personnel and recruitment consultants/advisers 1.9% 85 Economists 1.8% 80 Hospital and health service managers 1.6% 75 Table Sixteen: Commonest jobs undertaken by UK-domiciled masters degree students in social science subjects, graduating in 2005 and working in the UK six months after graduation