Increase in Graduate Unemployment

There has been an increase in the number of unemployed graduates in Scotland.

According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, there were 1380 unemployed graduates in 2008-09. This represents a 1% increase on the previous year's figure of 1155, and amounts to 7% of the total number of graduates.

Despite the increase, a spokesman for the body representing university principals, Universities Scotland, told the Herald newspaper that, "These figures are coming from a time when the recession was developing and, while it shows that fewer went into work, the changes are comparatively small and a lot better than predicted.

"Given that this was at a time when jobs were being shed across the economy, it shows that having a degree does protect you from the recession."

Over the same period, there was also an increase in the proportion of students who stayed at university to study at postgraduate level, from 3095 to 3675 – roughly 19% of the total number.

The spokesman added that this increased number of students staying at university "demonstrates the capacity of the higher education system to cope at times of economic change".

A Scottish Government spokesman said that graduates in Scotland are more likely to find work or stay in education than those in other parts of the UK.