It seems that attending a high flying Russell Group University may not be the guarantee it once was for swift graduate employment. In fact according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, the much derided former polytechnics appear to be securing work for a higher proportion of their students than many 'red brick' institutions.
At the top of the list are Robert Gordon University and not far behind sit Edinburgh Napier both of which have a lower unemployment rate amongst students after graduation than Oxford and Cambridge.
This is likely to be a reflection of the fact that nearly all of the courses at the former poly's are tailored to particular careers and include advice and work planning from day one. Napier's vice principal supports this and emphasises that employability is embraced as an integral part of a student's education. He said "When i talk to the new students in three weeks i'll be telling them that their course is the means to develop their skills and their CV".
With the country in recession and the competition for graduate jobs fierce it seems that practical experience picked-up on the courses of less renowned universities might help students gain an edge. It also goes to show the importance for graduates to gain an internship or work experience which is often built into courses at the former the poly's.
Last week Roll on Friday the specialist legal website found that the number one attribute Law firms wanted to see on a CV was pro bono work and practical experience, ahead of academic qualifications.
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