OverallThis section looks at destinations for UK-domiciled Masters graduates in social sciences from 2005. 8,860 Masters degrees were awarded in social science disciplines in 2005, with 6,090 replying to the HESA Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DHLE) survey – a 68.7% response rate. The majority of respondents, 57.6%, were female, and most graduates had studied full time – 59.8%. Nearly half, 44%, were over 30 years old when they graduated. Subjects studied1,580 graduates completed Masters qualifications in law in 2005, making it the most popular subject of study in the social sciences. 1,365 graduates took degrees in politics, with a number of specialisms, such as international relations, and peace studies having significant numbers of graduates. There were also 905 qualifiers with Masters degrees in human resources. Other popular subjects included - Social work
- Sociology
- Economics
- Marketing
- Finance
- Social Policy
All of which had over 500 graduates. First destinations6,090 social science graduates replied to the survey, with outcomes being quite typical of Masters study in general. 66.8% went to work in the UK six months after graduating, and another 9.9% were combining work and study. The unemployment rate stood at 4.2%, but was significantly higher for Masters graduates in finance, and lower in social work, social policy and human resources. Table One: Survey responses of UK-domiciled masters degree graduates in social science subjects from 2005| First destination | Percentage of social sciences graduates |
|---|
| Entered work in the UK | 66.8% | | Working and studying | 9.9% | | Entered study or training in the UK | 8.4% | | Working or studying overseas | 4.1% | | Not available for work or study | 3.8% | | Believed unemployed | 4.2% | | Other | 2.8% |
Types of work4,655 social science graduates, 76.4% of the total respondents, were known to be working in the UK six months after graduation. Management dominated the outcomes for these graduates, with over a quarter working in a management position six months after gaining their qualification. Another one in six, 16.7%, were in finance or business roles, and work in social or welfare positions was also strongly favoured. The section of ‘other professionals’ is dominated by graduates in research posts. Table Three: Commonest jobs undertaken by UK-domiciled masters degree students in social science subjects, graduating in 2005| Type of work | Percentage of working social science graduates | Number of working social science graduates |
|---|
| Marketing, sales and advertising professionals | 3.9% | 185 | | Commercial, industrial and public sector management | 25.4% | 1180 | | Scientific research, analysis and development professionals | 0.4% | 15 | | Engineering professionals | 0.6% | 25 | | Health professionals | 4.0% | 185 | | Education professionals | 5.2% | 240 | | Business and finance professionals | 16.7% | 775 | | Information technology professionals | 1.2% | 55 | | Arts, design, culture, media and sports professionals | 2.0% | 95 | | Legal professionals | 4.8% | 225 | | Social and welfare professionals | 12.0% | 560 | | Other professionals | 9.7% | 450 | | Numerical clerks and cashiers | 1.6% | 75 | | Other clerical and secretarial occupations | 7.8% | 365 | | Retail, catering, waiting and bar staff | 1.5% | 70 | | Other occupations | 3.3% | 150 | | Unknown occupations | 0.2% | 10 | | Total | 100% | 4655 |
Social work is a popular subject for Masters study, and graduates from the discipline have an unemployment rate just above 1%, so it is no surprise to see social work as the commonest job for Masters graduates in social sciences on leaving their course. A number of jobs related to another popular area of study, human resources, also make the top ten. Although the large majority of graduates in social sciences find work in jobs at graduate level, the third most common job, that of general office clerk, is the most common for those who enter non-graduate employment. Table Three: Commonest jobs for UK-domiciled masters graduates in social sciences subjects from 2005, working in the UK six months after graduation| Type of work | Percentage of social science graduates from 2005 | Number of social science graduates from 2005 |
|---|
| Social workers | 5.8% | 270 | | Personnel managers | 4.4% | 205 | | General office assistants/clerks | 3.2% | 150 | | Personnel officers | 3.1% | 145 | | Social science researchers | 2.8% | 130 | | University and higher education lecturers | 2.5% | 115 | | Solicitors | 2.2% | 100 | | Personnel and recruitment consultants | 1.9% | 85 | | Economists | 1.8% | 80 | | Hospital and health service managers | 1.6% | 75 |
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