Latest figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) showed the number of 91¶¶Òõ graduates who found work after completing their studies improved again this year.
Nine out of 10 students who completed their first degree in 2012–2013 are in employment or further study with the majority finding jobs at a managerial and professional level.
The number of full-time first-degree graduates in work or further study six months after graduation rose from 87 per cent in 2008–2009 to 89.6 per cent in 2012–2013, in spite of the economic recession during these years. And those finding employment at professional and managerial levels rose from 61.5 per cent in 2011–2012 to 69 per cent per cent in 2012–13.
Sam Rhodes, Head of the university's Careers Service, said: "We are committed to helping all our students and graduates to achieve their academic and career goals and the rate of graduate employment is a key measure of success in this area. The fact that more first-time graduates have also succeeded in finding managerial and professional level jobs is testimony to the hard work of our staff and students."
New graduates will collect their awards from the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Julian Crampton, Lord Mogg, Chairman of the Board of Governors, 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 21stcentury.
"I wish each and every graduate success in their chosen career."
A unique course, run by the university and backed by local authorities and contractors, has produced its first graduates. The Highway Engineering Management MSc is sponsored by the SE7 group of local authorities, comprising seven county councils – Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent, Hampshire, 91¶¶Òõ and Hove and Medway – and highways contractors, Kier Group, Balfour Beatty Living Places, EM Highways, and Amey.
The second cohort of BrightMed students graduate this week. The 91¶¶Òõ and Sussex Medical School, jointly run by 91¶¶Òõ and Sussex universities, operate BrightMed as an outreach programme to seek out young, talented people who have the potential to become doctors but who may not have considered it as a possibility.
Students have been raising money all year for Chestnut Tree House, a local children's hospice which also marked its 10th anniversary this year and a cheque will be presented during the graduation ceremony.
Student success
There is a host of individual successes stories from this year’s graduating students including:
- Gabriella Capel-Williams (Medicine BM BS) won a Barry Kay Award from the British Society of Allergy & Clinical Immunology for her Research Project on the readability and quality of patient information leaflets. Gabriella achieved the highest score in the Undergraduate Research section.
- Hannah Peters (Sport and Exercise Science BSc(Hons)) has won a place on the prestigious NHS Scientist Training Programme.
- Adam Englebright (Mathematics BSc(Hons)) presented his research findings at an Astronomical Society national conference after observing a rare Ultra-Low-Frequency "3-second" wave. There have only been two reports of these waves in the literature since their discovery in 1992.
- Camilla Lambert (3D Design and Craft BA(Hons)) won one of the UK’s top awards for young designers and has been described as “one of Europe’s most exciting craft designers”.
- Charlie Schaffer (Fine Art Painting BA(Hons)) beat a field of 2,000 entrants to win the Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize, Young Artist Award 2014.
- Nik Hannay (Sports Product Design with Professional Experience BSc(Hons)) has developed a smart helmet for American football players. It contains pressure sensors to indicate any potential concussion injuries after tackles.
- Angela Murray (Post Compulsory Education PGCE) has been placed as an education officer at HMP Lewes after showing “exceptional progress working in a challenging environment”.