Scotland's universities produce 'more successful' graduates than the rest of the UK, HESA data shows

Graduates from Scotland's universities also have higher starting salaries than the rest of their peers in the UK

(Jens Schlueter/Getty Images)

Graduates from Scottish universities have the best record of professional level jobs in the UK, according to recent data.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency’s (HESA) study found graduates from Scotland’s 19 universities had the biggest rate of positive destinations in the UK – in relation to work and/or further study – at almost 90 per cent, compared to the UK average 88.8 per cent

Graduates from Scotland’s universities also have the highest average starting salaries in the UK at £22,500, compared to the rest of the country’s average of £21,500.

Overall, the number of those in graduate level jobs was four per cent higher than their peers in the rest of the UK at 73 per cent.

Describing how the findings are “great news” for Scotland’s Class of 2015, a Universities Scotland spokesman described how it is encouraging to see how Scotland is performing better than the UK average for the proportion going straight into graduate level jobs.

He added: “This builds on last year’s figures and marks the impact of a university experience in Scotland that is very focussed on employability and on developing graduates with well-rounded skill sets.”

The findings look set to be encouraging to the almost 25,000 Scottish students who have had their places at university and college finalised today as the nation’s students celebrated record numbers of SQA exam results, with a success rate up 5.5 per cent on last year.

The Universities Scotland spokesman highlighted how the country’s universities are “very proud” of their record on graduate employability, and how this continues to be “a real priority” with time and investment in employability strategies.

He said: “Universities are working closely with employers to design courses and create work placement opportunities for students, so that we are producing skilled graduates and a strong talent pool for Scotland to fill jobs and attract more businesses to invest in the country.”