Students should be given more details about how the courses they study after leaving school might affect their employment prospects, it has been suggested, as figures show near-record numbers of 18-year-olds applying to university.
A review of research into the employment effects of higher and further education by the government’s Social Mobility Commission showed wide variations in earnings, with some courses failing to boost salaries, while the most lucrative courses for graduates often admitted few students in England from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“Many of the more selective universities are top performers for boosting earnings but worst offenders for providing access to students from low socioeconomic backgrounds,” said Alun Francis, the commission’s interim chair. “To improve social mobility, we need these universities to do even more to improve access.
“We need to ensure prospective students are aware of the earnings implications of all their higher education and further education options, so they can make an informed choice, before applying.”
