University of Chester graduates the most employable in the North West

The latest Unistats figures released this week giving the percentage of graduates in graduate level employment reveals that the University of Chester has an impressive 81% rate. This is an increase on the 78% achieved last year which saw the University achieve a shared top rank place in the region. The figures also show that 21 courses at the University have the leading employability figures in the region for their subject specialism. These include courses as diverse as Biological Sciences, Fine Art, Marketing, Social Work, Languages and Law.

The Unistats website is the official site for providing information to prospective students wishing to study at UK universities and colleges.

This further demonstrates the University’s commitment to helping students achieve their career goals as figures released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) last month showed that students from the University of Chester were bucking the national unemployment trend, with the number of those finding jobs within six months of graduating continuing to increase.

The HESA statistics showed that 93% of the University’s degree students secured employment or further study after graduating last year (09/10) – an increase from 91.2% the previous year (08/09).

A series of new initiatives by the institution’s Careers and Employability Department has resulted in a clear evidence of increased student employability and benefits to the University’s employer partners. Recent enhancements to the services include:

• UniJob – an on-campus student employment initiative which advertises paid positions within the University exclusively to its students

• The ‘Enhance your Employability’ programme of more than 30 employability workshops

• A series of ‘Recession-Buster’ workshops designed to give Chester students the edge in the graduate job market

• The online ‘Job Shop’ advertising more than 800 vacancies this year

• The unique ‘Graduate Head Start’ programme which equips graduates living in the region with skills to find appropriate employment

• Customised, expert one-to-one support – face-to-face and online from experienced Careers Consultants

Paul Gaunt, Director of the Careers and Employability Department at the University, said: “We are extremely pleased with our high ranking placing with Unistats. It shows that the University provides high-quality courses and also supports students in achieving a full university experience – from taking part in volunteering work through to participating in work-based learning. Our initiatives are paying off in helping us to allow our students to develop their full potential and make themselves very employable in a competitive job market.”

For more information about any of the employability-enhancing activities at the University of Chester call 01244 513066, email careers@chester.ac.uk or visit www.chester.ac.uk/careers