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There are a number of factors that can influence your decision to go to University and what you end up studying. Traditionally, factors like: family, cost, peers, interests, life-experience and personal aspirations have all played a big part in guiding you towards what, for many, will be one of the most significant decisions you will have made in life so far. Increasingly though, an additional influencing factor is increasing in popularity; employability prospects.

With the costs of tuition increasing, as well as the number of students attending university, it is logical that students want to gain the most out of their time at university, in order to secure employment in the field of their choice. Unsurprisingly, 86% of students decided that earning potential of their degree played an important role in their degree/university choice, with the majority of these students being international students (Graduate Recruiter magazine, Issue 88). One reason for this could be the financial costs involved with coming to the UK to study being significantly more than students from the European Union.

The rising costs of degrees should indicate better overall satisfaction, with maximising their time at university, making use of the resources available to them, including guidance from academic staff. However, in a study of 55 universities, one was found to have as low as 57% student satisfaction with the quality of the guidance for long term opportunities given by academic staff. Only 4 universities surveyed achieved a scoring over 85%. Universities should be aiming to work closely with students to give relevant supervision in regards to increasing job prospects upon completion of their chosen degree. Research has also found that students on language courses were least likely to be satisfied compared to those who studied tourism, medicine and education who were most satisfied.

Work experience and placements give invaluable experience to students; allowing them to get a practical idea of how their degree could be used in the workplace. These experiences are a unique opportunity for them to ‘try out’ different opportunities and decide which roles and industries are right for them. It is no secret that employers favour the students who have industry experience over those who do not, and recruiters especially, use work experience amongst other things, to decide whether or not a candidate would be suitable for a role. More emphasis should be placed on work experience and placements opportunities at universities for all degree areas.

Finding a job after graduating can prove to be difficult and stressful time, and universities who offer ample opportunities for work experience and personal development will create more employable students, increase student satisfaction, and build a reputation for future students deciding what university to attend.