UK graduate prospects “at 10-year high”

Students due to graduate this year will enter into the UK’s most attractive job market for a decade, according to a study by recruitment research organisation, High Fliers.

The key to securing a top place in a firm is now to undertake a work placement with them beforehand; a third of the jobs available will be offered to graduates who have managed to do this.

Over 13,000 paid internship placements were available this year from 80% of the UK’s leading graduate recruiters.

Two thirds of these firms offer paid internships over the holidays for final year students, whilst half have placements available as part of university courses.

The number of firms offering placements for first-year undergraduates has increased, according to BBC Education and Family.

“Students leaving university this summer will find a buoyant graduate job market,” said Martin Birchall, managing director of High Fliers Research.

Universities minister Greg Clark said: “Confidence in the economy continues to grow, and this is reflected in the fact that Britain’s top companies will recruit more graduates this year than they have for a decade.”

“This report will be warmly welcomed by the record number of students who started university this year and highlights how a degree remains one of the best routes into a rewarding career.”