An Overview
The number of social science graduates in employment six months after a first degree is traditionally lower than for graduates as a whole (in 2000 56.2% as opposed to 68.4% for all subjects). This is clearly explained by the higher than average numbers going on to further study, as the unemployment rate for social science graduates is lower than for graduates as a whole (4.9% as opposed to 5.5%). Further study is particularly prevalent in law, where 56.4% of graduates went on to further study, the majority to qualify for the legal profession, geography, where 26% went on to further study, often building on aspects of their first degree, and psychology, where 23.1% went on to further study, some in the various branches of psychology. Longitudinal studies, looking at destinations up to four years after graduation, such as the North Western universities one lmi4HE and the University of East Anglia report, From UEA to Employment, clearly show that percentages of social science graduates entering employment catch up with graduates as a whole between 18 months and three years after first degree graduation. Types of Work
Social science graduates enter a wide variety of employment and it would be a mistake to see these courses as narrow vocational degrees. Economics graduates are dramatically successful in obtaining employment in the business and finance areas (24.4% as business and finance professionals as compared to 4.7% graduates as a whole, 14.1% as business and finance associate professionals compared to 3.4% for graduates as a whole). The over-representation in business and finance areas is also true for geography and law graduates. Social science graduates as a whole are also successful in obtaining employment in commercial, industrial and public sector management, compared with graduates as a whole. Another significant area of over-representation is the field of other professional, associate professional and technical occupations, where many graduates may be obtaining vital psychological, social work and legal work experience prior to undertaking postgraduate professional training. Longitudinal studies, such as the one carried out by the North Western universities, show that in the long term social science graduates' favoured sectors of employment are business services, health and social work, and education. Early Careers and Earnings
In term of vacancies advertised in Prospects Today, the graduate vacancy bulletin, starting salaries offered to social science graduates in 2000/1 were £18,376, in line with graduates as a whole. Moving On, a survey of graduates three years after graduation, shows that social science graduates continue to earn a salary in line with graduates as a whole. Working Out? a survey of graduates 18 months after graduation, shows over 60% of social science graduates were working in jobs which were appropriate for their skills and qualifications and were 'very' or 'reasonably' satisfied with how their careers were developing. It also shows the importance of gaining relevant work experience particularly for potential lawyers or voluntary work as factors in obtaining successful employment. Trends
Graduate destination trends and comparisons with other disciplines have stayed broadly constant between 1997 and 2000. The only significant long-term trend is that, although still high, the percentage of law and sociology graduates undertaking full-time study is decreasing, and the percentage entering employment after first degree is increasing (see the table below). | | The first destinations of social science graduates, 1997-2000 | | | Numbers graduating
(survey respondents) | Entering employment [%] | Entering further study/ training [%] | Unemployed at time of survey [%] | Other [%] | | 2000 | 1997 | 2000 | 1997 | 2000 | 1997 | 2000 | 1997 | 2000 | 1997 | | All First Degree Subjects | 170,751 | 171,279 | 68.4 | 67.8 | 19.2 | 19.4 | 5.5 | 6.9 | 6.9 | 5.9 | | Economics | 2,863 | 3,552 | 70.9 | 70.8 | 15.5 | 15.9 | 5.2 | 7.2 | 8.3 | 6.1 | | Geography | 3,937 | 4,348 | 59.9 | 61.5 | 26.0 | 24.5 | 4.5 | 5.8 | 9.6 | 8.2 | | Law | 6,544 | 6,301 | 34.1 | 29.1 | 56.4 | 61.0 | 3.7 | 4.2 | 5.9 | 5.7 | | Psychology | 5,443 | 5,003 | 63.3 | 62.6 | 23.1 | 22.5 | 5.7 | 8.1 | 8.0 | 6.8 | | Sociology | 3,505 | 2,907 | 70.4 | 64.2 | 16.6 | 20.2 | 5.9 | 9.5 | 7.1 | 6.1 | | All Social Sciences | 22,292 | 22,111 | 56.2 | 54.4 | 31.4 | 32.5 | 4.9 | 6.6 | 7.6 | 6.6 |
Further Resources
AGCAS publications are available in your local higher education careers service, or you can order publications from CSU. From UEA to Employment, Economics Research Centre, University of East Anglia. Survey of 1996 Law Graduates in Careers other than Law, produced by AGCAS Legal Profession sub-committee, available from university careers services. Entry into the Legal Profession, Research and Policy Planning Unit, Law Society. Careers for Geographers, University of London Careers Service. Compass-Careers: Opportunities for Personal Social Services, Hucksters, Riseden, Tidebrook, Wadhurst, East Sussex TN5 6PA. Useful Web Sites
On this site for a wealth of careers related information by exploring types of jobs and options with your subject. British Psychological Society (BPS) Biz Ed Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW) Junior Lawyers Division (JLD) Royal Geographical Society Social Science Information Gateway |
