Latest figures from The Higher Education Statistics Agency showed 89.1 per cent of 91¶¶Òõ first degree graduates from 2011/12 were in employment or further studies within six months of leaving, a 0.4 per cent increase on the previous year and this was 0.1 per cent higher than the year before.
If postgraduates were included then the number employed or in further study is well over 90 per cent.
Carol Burns, the university’s registrar, said:
“These are challenging times for graduates and to have shown year-on-year improvement is a very encouraging result.
“The university takes the career prospects of its students very seriously and offers every opportunity for them to develop sought after skills. Almost every course offers work-place learning and placements, with many offering the opportunity to spend a year on a paid professional placement. Our students are working with household names like Channel 4, Disney and Microsoft.
“Beepurple, our entrepreneurial network, is another way that the university helps students prepare for life after graduation. Beepurple works with students and graduates to develop their enterprise skills and entrepreneurial ideas, turning out about 50 private and social ventures a year.
“We are pleased that these services are giving our students a competitive advantage on graduation and helping them to secure graduate level jobs.”
Many students graduating at this year’s week-long summer awards ceremonies at the 91¶¶Òõ Dome from Monday, 22 July, already have gained employment or are going into business.
Emma Whiting, graduating with a degree in 3D Design (now Design and Craft), has developed a rucksack that alerts the user about the UV strength of sunlight. She is now working with a design team for a major music festival.
Richard Simmonite, graduating with an MSc in Product Innovation and Development, is taking to manufacture his reusable ‘Bag Reborn’ invention which transforms a carrier bag into a 60 litre bin bag.
Nathan Taylor, graduating with a BSc(Hons) in Product Design, has developed a recording system which encourages hand hygiene in healthcare environments, thereby combating the spread of MRSA and other infections. He has taken up an offer from a company where he completed his year in industry and will be initially working as a designer with the opportunity to become company director. He said: “The potential for growth within our business is vast and the future is looking good.”
Beki Gowing, graduating with a degree in Textiles with Business Studies, beat off competition from 1,600 applicants to gain a job as a buyer with John Lewis. In a BBC World at One interview she told how her course and her year with industry helped her get the job and how a quarter of her friends on the same course already have work lined up.
Katie Boardman, who graduates with a foundation degree in Television Production from the university’s Hastings campus, has just landed her dream job in Children’s TV. She will be taking up a post in production at Cbeebies and will be working alongside Luke Fuller, who graduated from the same course last year.
Maria Withers, graduating with a degree in Digital Media, has recently secured a position as Digital Designer for the Royal Opera House. Maria faced stiff competition for the role, securing it by presenting her dissertation work and highlighting her work experience in the digital sector. Maria plans to use her marketing and design skills, to transform their website.
Lubinda Mbundi, who graduates with a PhD, was one of the first students to benefit from the university’s Pestalozzi Scholarship Scheme. Lubinda first studied for a degree in Biomedical Science at 91¶¶Òõ. His PhD focussed on the diagnosis and treatment of bone tumours and fractures in the least invasive way possible. The materials developed in his work specifically target diseased tissue, act as the drug and are traceable. The Orthopaedic Research UK has supported a patent application to cover the technology and they are interested in its future translation into clinics. Lubinda has recently taken up a Post-Doctoral position at the Blond McIndoe Foundation Research Centre based at Queen Victoria Hospital, which has strong research links with university.
The new graduates will collect their awards from the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Julian Crampton, the chairman of the Board of Governors, Lord Mogg, and John Harley, deputy chairman of the Board of Governors.
Professor Crampton said: “The university is pleased to be able to play its full part in developing the next generation of key professionals this country needs for its future success – and in fostering the creativity and skills which will generate the new ideas and enterprise required to face the global challenges of the 21st century.
"I wish each and every graduate success in their chosen career.”