Graduate outcomes greatly influenced by course and university

New data shows the wide variation in average earnings and employability by course and university after graduation.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds has praised the universities that are leading the way for student outcomes, including future earnings and employability, but expressed his concerns at those delivering similar courses and not yielding the same results.

Hinds has also expressed concerns over courses not offering value for money for students and taxpayers, and this data shows that some universities aren’t giving students the same positive outcomes that other students on similar courses benefit from. Previous research by the IFS has shown that variation in outcomes cannot be solely attributed to differences in students’ prior attainment and social background.

Two new apps launched earlier this year which use graduate outcomes data to help prospective students make better choices about where and what to study. ThinkUni, created by AccessEd, works as a personalised digital assistant to access information, while TheWayUp! created by The Profs, is a game where players can simulate career paths.

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