Which degree? How to make your degree work for you

By William Ham Bevan. As this year's university fairs and open days commence, William Ham Bevan explains why a "vocational degree" isn't always the best way to improve your job and salary prospects. In recent years positive headlines about graduate employment have been thin on the ground, and many university leavers now face a stiff challenge when it comes to securing a graduate-level job. But there’s still every indication that a university education will improve your career prospects. Despite the rise in tuition fees, it continues to make financial sense to invest your time and money in a degree.
The increase in earnings you can expect a degree to deliver — the “graduate premium” — is holding up well. The latest research from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says graduates earn on average 65 per cent more than their peers who have only secondary education. Other surveys, such as Futuretrack from the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU), agree graduates are maintaining a significant salary advantage. Read more...