Quarter of graduates working part-time 3 years on

University leavers are also becoming more likely to be unemployed, the statistics suggest, though the respected Russell Group universities are more likely to produce graduates who go on to successfully find work.

Data published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) reveals that 27.7 per cent of UK graduates who left university in 2006/07 were not in full time paid work three-and-a-half years later.

Some 8.8 per cent were in part time paid or voluntary and unpaid work, while 5.3 per cent were working and studying, and 6.5 per cent were just studying.

But 3.6 per cent were assumed to be unemployed, the statistics show.

This is higher than in other years.

Previous HESA surveys showed that 2.3 per cent of those who graduated in 2002/03 were assumed to be unemployed three-and-a-half years later, along with 2.6 per cent of graduates who left higher education in 2004/05.

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU), said it was “worrying” that the number of unemployed graduates has risen.

The figures are based on a snapshot survey taken on November 29 of 49,065 students who left university in 2006/07.

The findings show that students who attended leading Russell Group universities were less likely to be considered unemployed than those who attended other institutions.

The survey reveals that men are more likely to be on higher salaries than women.

While 14 per cent of men in full time paid work who graduated in 2006/07 were earning between £30,000 and £34,999 three and a half years later, the same was true for only 9.3 per cent of women. In comparison, 29.4 per cent of women were earning £20,000 to £24,999, against 15.6 per cent of men.

Today’s figures also show that a fifth (21.5 per cent) of those questioned said they did not think that university had prepared them for their career, with 6.4 per cent saying it hadn’t prepared them at all.

Around one in 10 (11.1 per cent) did not think their degree course was good value for money.

Overall, 84.2 per cent said they were satisfied with their career to date.

Ms Hunt said: “While it is encouraging that the majority of the class of 2007 recognise the value and worth of their degree, it is worrying that the number of unemployed graduates has risen.

“The jobs market is now even tougher and new students entering a system with the highest public university fees in the world deserve better prospects. The countries investing in graduates and high skills are the ones who will prosper in long run.”