'Most graduates' in full-time job

Most graduates were satisfied with their careers to date

Some 74% of UK graduates are in full time jobs three and a half years after finishing their degrees, research says.

Eight out of 10 of these were classed as being in graduate-level occupations, by the study for the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Of those not working full-time, 14% were studying - 9% of whom were also working, 6% worked part-time, 3% were unavailable for work and 2% unemployed.

The study involved 24,825 ex-students who graduated in the UK in 2002-3.

Most satisfied

It follows an earlier inquiry three years ago which suggested that 57% of graduates were in full-time work sixth months after they left university.

Half of those quizzed (48%) in the most recent survey were fairly satisfied with their career to date, while another 37% were very satisfied.

The median salary of UK-based graduates was £23,000.

Those with postgraduate qualifications had the highest median salary of £28,000.

Most said they would not change courses, university or qualification level if they were asked to choose again.

Women were more likely than men to be working part time. One in five female respondents was working part-time compared with 2% of men.

Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell said the research demonstrated graduates did well in the labour market, with 85% satisfied with their career so far.

"The research also shows that the average salaries for graduates rise by about 37% in the first three years of their careers.

"This, coupled with what we already know - that graduates earn, on average, over their lifetimes about £100,000 more after tax than those with only two A-levels - shows that going on to higher education is indeed one of the best investments a young person can make."