Graduates struggle to find work as students doubt degree value
A new study finds three in five undergraduates worry their degree will not lead to a job that justifies their student loan, as some graduates struggle to find work.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A new study has found that three in five undergraduates worry their degree will not lead to a job that justifies the cost of their student loan. The findings come as thousands of new students begin university and as some graduates say they are still struggling to find work years after finishing their courses.
The survey also found that 61 per cent of undergraduates are worried their degree will not lead to a job that justifies their debt. Tuition fees are now 9,790 pounds a year. One in six undergraduates surveyed chose the description of a degree as feeling more like a visa: it gets you into the jobs race but no further.
Students described the emotional and practical strain of job hunting. Matthew said even going to Cambridge was not enough to get him a job. He said: 'Sometimes I just wake up and I feel purposeless. I don't know what to actually do with myself apart from sit on my desk and apply to jobs.' Another graduate, Emily, said she felt she had let herself and those around her down, despite support from her parents.
The report suggests the biggest complaint is not simply cost. Two-thirds of those surveyed said they were not told whether their degree would actually lead to a graduate job. A further 44 per cent said they had never been told what graduates in their subject typically earn. One student said information about how a degree could turn into a job opportunity was not discussed by lecturers or peers.
The research available for universities to share with students is also limited, according to the report. But students are not giving up on higher education. Nine in ten would still recommend their course, and one student said they did not regret their course, describing it as challenging but enjoyable. Previous research suggests a degree still pays for most graduates over their working lives.
The Department for Education said its research shows university remains a strong investment for most students, delivering significant lifetime earnings and employment benefits. A spokesperson added that going to university is not the only route to success, which is why technical and academic education are being put on an equal footing.
The debate is not only about whether a degree is worth the money. It is also about whether students paying thousands of pounds know where their course is likely to take them.
On screen
Stills are sampled automatically at 60-second intervals. Where shown, the still is the nearest available frame from the relevant broadcast segment and is included to show what was on screen during that part of the broadcast. A still may not correspond to the exact second of a quoted phrase.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Sky News |
|---|---|
| A study found around three in five undergraduates worry their degree will not lead to a job that justifies the cost or debt. | |
| A study found two-thirds of students were not told if their degree would lead to a graduate job, and 44 per cent were never told typical graduate earnings. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Sky News led with the new survey figures and built the segment around graduate job struggles. It gave space to individual students who cannot find work and focused heavily on whether universities give students enough information about job and salary prospects. The report balanced that with the finding that most students would still recommend their course and with a government response defending university as a good investment.
- “a Degree was once seen as a passport to a better future But now some students say it feels more like a visa it gets you into the jobs race But no further”
- “sometimes I just wake up and I feel purposeless I don't know what to actually do with myself apart from sit on my desk and apply to jobs”
- “But students aren't giving up on University nine and ten would still recommend their course”
Who was on air
People and organisations each channel put on air while covering this story. Channels' own presenters and reporters are not listed. Names as transcribed, and the list can miss people.
- 06:15 BST
“a Department for Education spokesperson has said our research shows that”
Mornings with Jones and Melbourne · Sat 26 Sept
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.