What do Masters graduates do? 2007 - Physical science, mathematics and IT

• Overall
• Subjects studied
• First destinations
• Types of work
• Further information
• Masters degrees in depth - by subject group

Overall

This section looks at destinations for UK-domiciled Masters graduates in physical sciences, mathematics and IT. This section has been separated out from engineering and building subjects due to differences in destinations and is presented for the first time in this format. For the sake of brevity, the subject is referred to as ‘physical sciences’.

4,740 Masters degrees were awarded in physical science disciplines in 2005, with 3,395 replying to the HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DHLE) survey – a 71.6% response rate.

Just under two thirds of respondents were male – 65.2%, and the large majority of graduates studied for their degrees full time (72.4%). Most graduates, 67%, were under 30 years of age on graduation.

Subjects studied

1,395 graduates took degrees in computer science, which was largely taken without specialisation. There were 765 environmental science graduates in 2005, and 705 in information systems.

Other popular subjects included

• Mathematics
• Forensic and archaeological science
• Geology
• Chemistry
• Physics

First destinations

3,395 physical science graduates replied to the survey, with most working or combining work and study. 10.9% had gone onto a further degree – high for Masters study, but representing the importance of doctorates for many careers in physical science. 6.9%, the highest proportion at Masters level, were unemployed six months after graduating. Graduates in subjects associated with information technology, who have high unemployment rates at undergraduate level also suffered at Masters level.

Table One: Survey responses of UK-domiciled masters degree graduates in physical science subjects from 2005

Types of work

2,495 physical science graduates, 73.5% of the total respondents, were known to be working in the UK six months after graduation.

With computing graduates making up a significant proportion of this cohort, it is unsurprising that a quarter of employed graduates from these subjects went into computing as a job. One in eight, 12.8%, went into management, and 11.0% were working in the business world – these being primarily maths graduates.

The section of ‘other professionals’ is dominated by graduates in disciplines related to environmental sciences taking up posts in conservation and environmental planning.

Table Two below shows the types of work that the whole group went into.

Table Two: Types of work undertaken by UK-domiciled masters degree students in physical science subjects, graduating in 2005

Computing shows strongly in the most popular jobs for this group of graduates, with seven of the top jobs being related to computing.

Table Three: Ten commonest jobs undertaken by UK-domiciled masters degree students in physical science subjects who graduated in 2005

Although Masters graduates in physical sciences were relatively unlikely compared to their first degree counterparts to start their careers in jobs that did not require a degree, it is still noteworthy that non-graduate office work makes an appearance in the list of top jobs. These positions, however, are often taken by graduates who lack formal work experience. These graduates quickly progress, in the main, to jobs that more effectively utilise their skills once they have been able to demonstrate their ability.

Further information

• What Do Masters Graduates Do? 2006 - first destinations of masters graduates who completed study in 2004
• What Do Graduates Do? 2007 - first destinations of first degree graduates who completed study in 2005
• What Do PhDs Do? - Trends - examining outcomes for PhD graduates from 2003 to 2005

Masters degree study in depth - by subject group

• Arts and humanities
• Biological sciences
• Biomedical sciences
• Business and management
• Engineering and building
• Physical sciences, mathematics and IT
• Social sciences