student employability index report apr14
DESCRIPTION
ÂTRANSCRIPT
Executive Summary
03
Overall, the results painted a compelling picture of the extent to which students are already engaged with issues that relate to and support employability.
Over 95% of students stated it was ‘somewhat important’ or ‘essential’ that their university had business, industry or employer links, with
92% specifically stating it was important to be provided with opportunities for placements, work
experience or internships.
There were a number of interesting variances by
discipline studied. Only 15% of students studying
medicine stated that had used their careers or
employability support, but this rose to 49% of
mathematics and computing students and 48% in
business studies.
The extent to which students engaged with
employability support and part-time work also varied
significantly by home region. Students originally
coming from Scotland (29%) and the East Midlands
(30%) were the least likely to have used their
university employability services, whilst students from
the East of England (45%) and non-EU international
students (49%) were the most likely to have done so.
Home region was also significant in determining
the likelihood of undertaking work experience or
internships with only 21% of the students from
Wales having done so, rising to 38% from Northern
Ireland and 41% from Scotland.
Usage of services such as the careers services
varied significantly by university too. At one university only 23% of students used the careers services, whereas this was as high as 54% at another.
Part two of this report will share the findings from
our research into student views on the extent to
which employability shaped their choice of course
and institution, and their views of various sectors
for future employment. We hope that these
findings will provide a useful source of information
to better understand the landscape in relation to
employability, what students value and how this
varies across a range of factors including university,
home region and discipline studied.
Introduction
04
The survey sought student views in 4 main areas:
Student views on the quality of careers and employability support during
their time as a student.
Feedback on part-time work, work experience and internships and the extent to
which it has aided personal and professional development.
The extent to which employability and destinations shaped
choice of subject and institution - Part 2.
Student views on sectors for future employment - Part 2.
This is the first of two reports which will share the key findings from the survey, with part one primarily focussing on student views on the quality of careers and employability support and feedback on part-time work, work experience, placements and internships. We were delighted to work with Compass Group on this research, as not only do they employ a considerable number of students and graduates across their operation, they also work with more than 320 Universities worldwide, delivering catering and support services that enhance the student experience.
Both Compass and the NCUB, believe this research provides fantastic insight into the importance students place on employability and hope that this new information will support continuous enhancements in the higher education sector as well as how business can engage and add value to it.
05
In its first year, the Student Employability Index has surveyed over 4000 students. (200 from 20 English universities - 100 first year undergraduate students, 100 other year undergraduate students).
The students in the sample were recruited by research agency YouthSight, the students in our sample opted to participate in the research.
The 20 universities selected to participate in this were as follows:
Background
06
Research to understand student views in 4 primary areas:
Quality, usage and value of careers and employability support
01 Feedback on part-time work, work experience and internships
02
Extent to which employability shaped subject choice and institution (part 2)
03 Views on sectors for future employment (part 2)
04
07
Which of these best describes the main subject area, course or speciality you are studying?TABLE 1
500450400
Combined
Education
Creative Arts & Design
History & Philosophy
Languages
Mass Communications & Documentation
Business & Administration
Law
Social Studies
Architecture, Building & Planning
Engineering & Technology
Maths & Computer Sciences
Physical Sciences
Veterinary Science & Related Subjects
Biological Sciences
Subjects Allied to Medicine
Medicine & Dentistry
STUDENTS
350300250200150100500
37.9%
OVERALL
24.1%
FIRST YEAR
Percentage of students that have used the university employability services?
0909
FEMALE
37.1%MALE
39.2%
54%
OTHER YEAR
PRE-92UNIVERSITY
44.8%
POST-92UNIVERSITY
34.4%
Percentage of students that have used their employability services (by discipline)TABLE 2
10
Highest - 49%Lowest - 13%
Com
bine
d
Educ
atio
n
Crea
tive
Arts
& D
esig
n
His
tory
& P
hilo
soph
y
Lang
uage
s
Mas
s Co
mm
unic
atio
ns
Busi
ness
Stu
dies
Law
Soci
al S
tudi
es
Arch
itect
ure
Engi
neer
ing
&
Tech
nolo
gy
Mat
hs &
Com
pute
r Sc
ienc
es
Phys
ical
Sci
ence
s
Biol
ogic
al S
cien
ces
Subj
ects
Alli
ed
to M
edic
ine
Med
icin
e &
Den
tistr
y
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
PERC
ENTA
GE
Vete
rinar
y Sc
ienc
e &
Re
late
d Su
bjec
ts
11
Percentage of students that have used their employability services (by home region)TABLE 3
Non
-EU
Euro
pean
Uni
on
Nor
th W
est
Nor
th E
ast
York
shire
&
Hum
bers
ide
Scot
land
Nor
ther
n Ir
elan
d
Wal
es
East
Wes
t Mid
land
s
East
Mid
land
s
Sout
h W
est
Sout
h Ea
st
Lond
on
Aver
age
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
PERC
ENTA
GE
Highest - 49%Lowest - 29%
12
Use of employability services by universityTABLE 4
Highest - 54% Lowest - 23%
A
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
PERC
ENTA
GE
TB C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S
Letters A-T represent each of the 20 universities participating in our study. We have not published the university breakdown, but the individual universities have privately received their results.
400
800
2000
1000
600
200
0
1400
1800
1600
1200
13
How do you rate the quality of your university’s employability services?TABLE 5
22%
PERC
ENTA
GE
47% 27% 3%
EXCELLENT VERY GOOD ADEQUATE POOR VERY POOR
1%
0
20
40
60
80
100
PERC
ENTA
GE
14
Quality of careers services rated as (4/5 or 5/5) by universityTABLE 6
A TB C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S
Letters A-T represent each of the 20 universities participating in our study. We have not published the university breakdown, but the individual universities have privately received their results.
Highest - 82%Lowest - 45%
0
10
20
30
40
50
5
15
25
35
45
PERC
ENTA
GE
16
Percentage of students working part-time by home regionTABLE 7
Yes - 34.8% No - 65.2% (Overall)
Rest
of t
he W
orld
Euro
pean
Uni
on
Nor
ther
n Ir
elan
d
Scot
land
Wal
es
East
Ang
lia
Nor
th E
ast
Nor
th W
est
Wes
t Mid
land
s
East
Mid
land
s
Sout
h W
est
Sout
h Ea
st
Lond
on
Letters A-T represent each of the 20 universities participating in our study. We have not published the university breakdown, but the individual universities have privately received their results.
17
% students undertaking part-time workTABLE 8
Com
bine
d
Educ
atio
n
Crea
tive
Arts
& D
esig
n
His
tory
& P
hilo
soph
y
Lang
uage
s
Mas
s Co
mm
unic
atio
ns
Busi
ness
Stu
dies
Law
Soci
al s
tudi
es
Arch
itect
ure
Engi
neer
ing
&
Tech
nolo
gy
Mat
hs &
Com
pute
r Sc
ienc
es
Phys
ical
Sci
ence
s
Biol
ogic
al S
cien
ces
Subj
ects
Alli
ed
to M
edic
ine
Med
icin
e &
Den
tistr
y
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
PERC
ENTA
GE
Vete
rinar
y Sc
ienc
e &
Re
late
d Su
bjec
ts
Highest - 49.3%Lowest - 22.7%
1000
2000
3000
2500
1500
500
66%
PERC
ENTA
GE
ESSENTIAL SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT INDIFFERENT NOT VERY
IMPORTANT
29% 4% 1%
19
How important do you think it is for universities to have business, industry or employer links?TABLE 9
NOT AT ALL IMPORTANT
–
0
0
20
40
60
80
100
20
Important for universities to have industry/employer links (4/5 or 5/5)TABLE 10
Highest - 100%Lowest - 81%
Com
bine
d
Educ
atio
n
Crea
tive
Arts
& D
esig
n
His
tory
& P
hilo
soph
y
Lang
uage
s
Mas
s Co
mm
unic
atio
ns
Busi
ness
Stu
dies
Law
Soci
al S
tudi
es
Arch
itect
ure
Engi
neer
ing
&
Tech
nolo
gy
Mat
hs &
Com
pute
r Sc
ienc
es
Phys
ical
Sci
ence
s
Vete
rinar
y Sc
ienc
e &
Re
late
d Su
bjec
ts
Biol
ogic
al S
cien
ces
Subj
ects
Alli
ed
to M
edic
ine
Med
icin
e &
Den
tistr
y
PERC
ENTA
GE
21
Highest - 99% Lowest - 90%
Important for universities to have employer links - essential or somewhat importantTABLE 11
80
82
84
86
88
100
90
92
94
96
98
PERC
ENTA
GE
A TB C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S
Letters A-T represent each of the 20 universities participating in our study. We have not published the university breakdown, but the individual universities have privately received their results.
22
What sorts of university/business links do you think would be helpfulTABLE 12
0 10060
PERCENT
5040302010
Industry/Business Content In Curriculum
70 80 90
Male Female All
Mentors from Industry or Business
Lectures From Industry & Business Leaders
CV Clinics
Careers Advice / Service
Placements, Work Experience & Internships
0
23
Percentage of students who felt there was not enough industry, business, or employer contentTABLE 13
Highest - 29% Lowest - 13%
3530
PERCENT
252015105
Combined
Education
Creative Arts & Design
History & Philosophy
Languages
Mass Communications
Business Studies
Law
Social Studies
Architecture
Engineering & Technology
Maths & Computer Sciences
Physical Sciences
Veterinary Science & Related
Biological Sciences
Subjects Allied to Medicine
Medicine & Dentistry
24
Not enough industry content in their degree (by university)TABLE 14
0
5
10
15
20
50
25
30
35
40
45
PERC
ENTA
GE
A TB C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S
Letters A-T represent each of the 20 universities participating in our study. We have not published the university breakdown, but the individual universities have privately received their results.
Highest - 35%Lowest - 16%
26
Have you undertaken any work experience or internships since you’ve become a university student? (for second, third and finalists only)FIGURE 1
YES 47%
NO 53%
27
Highest - 99% Lowest - 85%
Students who agree placements, work experience would be helpful (by university)TABLE 15
75
80
85
90
95
100
PERC
ENTA
GE
A TB C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S
Letters A-T represent each of the 20 universities participating in our study. We have not published the university breakdown, but the individual universities have privately received their results.
0
10
20
30
40
45
35
25
15
5
28
Undertaking work experience/placements (by university)TABLE 16
Highest - 40% Lowest - 17%
PERC
ENTA
GE
A TB C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S
Letters A-T represent each of the 20 universities participating in our study. We have not published the university breakdown, but the individual universities have privately received their results.
PERCENTAGE
0 70605040302010
29
Students undertaking work experience or internships by subjectTABLE 17
Combined
Education
Creative Arts & Design
History & Philosophy
Languages
Mass Communications & Documentation
Business & Administration
Law
Social Studies
Architecture, Building & Planning
Engineering & Technology
Maths & Computer Sciences
Physical Sciences
Veterinary Science & Related Subjects
Biological Sciences
Subjects Allied to Medicine
Medicine & Dentistry
0
10
20
30
40
45
5
15
25
35
30
Undertaking work experience/placements (by home region)TABLE 18PE
RCEN
TAG
E
Non
-Eu
Nor
th W
est
Nor
th E
ast
York
shire
&
Hum
bers
ide
Scot
land
Nor
ther
n Ir
elan
d
Wal
es
East
Wes
t Mid
land
s
East
Mid
land
s
Sout
h W
est
Sout
h Ea
st
Lond
on
Euro
pean
Uni
onHighest - 41%Lowest - 21%
0
200
400
600
800
900
700
500
300
100
30%
PERC
ENTA
GE
YOURUNIVERSITY
31
Who organised your work experience or internship?TABLE 19
YOU A FAMILY MEMBEROR FRIEND
OTHER
57% 11% 2%
0
20
40
60
80
90
10
30
50
70
32
Work experience organised by university (broken down by subject)TABLE 20
Com
bine
d
Educ
atio
n
Crea
tive
Arts
& D
esig
n
His
tory
& P
hilo
soph
y
Lang
uage
s
Mas
s Co
mm
unic
atio
ns
Busi
ness
Stu
dies
Law
Soci
al S
tudi
es
Arch
itect
ure
Engi
neer
ing
&
Tech
nolo
gy
Mat
hs &
Com
pute
r Sc
ienc
es
Phys
ical
Sci
ence
s
Biol
ogic
al S
cien
ces
Subj
ects
Alli
ed
to M
edic
ine
Med
icin
e &
Den
tistr
y
PERC
ENTA
GE
Vete
rinar
y Sc
ienc
e &
Re
late
d Su
bjec
ts
Lowest - 16%Highest - 78%
33
Work experience organised by your university (broken down by university)TABLE 21
0
10
20
40
60
70
50
30PERC
ENTA
GE
A TB C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S
Highest - 63% Lowest - 17%
Letters A-T represent each of the 20 universities participating in our study. We have not published the university breakdown, but the individual universities have privately received their results.
To come in part 2...
34
The extent to which employability has shaped choice of institution and course
01
Student views on sectors for future employment
02
35
For more information on the National Centre for Universities and Business, do check out our website:
www.ncub.co.uk
If you are interested in joining, please feel free to contact our Events and Membership Manager, Stephanie Scott-Davies either on:
[email protected] 7383 8193
www.compass-group.co.uk+44 (0)1895 554 554
Compass Group UK & IrelandCompass House, Guildford Street, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 9BQ
www.ncub.co.uk
National Centre for Universities and BusinessStudio 11, Tiger House, Burton Street, London, WC1H 9BY
[email protected] +44 (0)207 383 7667 @NCUBtweets