A survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa) has revealed that graduates from Oxford and Cambridge were out performed when it came to securing jobs or places on postgraduate courses last year by students from Robert Gordon, Glasgow Caledonian and Derby Universities.

The figures released show that a graduate’s chances of securing jobs are heavily dependent on where they choose to study.

Findings show that over nine in ten graduates from Robert Gordon (97.9%), Glasgow Caledonian (96.2%) and Derby (96.1%) were working or studying further only six months after finishing their degree, compared with 94.9% of Cambridge graduates and 92% of those who studied at Oxford.

Whilst Oxford and Cambridge may have just missed out on the top ranked employability figures they are still among the top performers. Over a fifth (22%) of graduates from London South bank and the University of East London (20.6%) were still not able to find work or further study six months after leaving.

Overall Hesa figures show that nine tenths (90.8%) of first-degree graduates have found work or further study after six months. These figures were released just days after research revealed that around forty-six graduates are applying for every job this year.

Sue Morrison, learning Development Manager at the University of Derby said that there is:

“Lots of support outside the curriculum – for example, we do employer mentoring so that students can speak to employees who are already doing the jobs that they aspire to do…”

Figures shown include those working in part-time and non-graduate-level jobs. Currently a breakdown showing the proportion of leavers working in graduate-level positions by institution is not available.