A supply of highly skilled people is critical to the economic growth and social
wellbeing of the UK. A new report released today (6 September) by Vitae presents
for the first time, the career destinations and impact of research graduates three
years after graduation. “What do researchers do? Doctoral graduate destinations
and impact three years on” shows that doctoral graduates feel their studies increase
their capacity to contribute to innovation and make a real difference in the work
place.
Making use of excellent people, their knowledge and skills can lead to better
policy making, enhanced economic growth, and improvements in the health and welfare
of the population. This new report examines people’s motivations to undertake doctoral
study, the employment rates and occupations of graduates and the extent to which
doctoral graduates have an impact in their job.
Key findings of the study presented in this report include:
- Employment rates of all doctoral graduates are consistently high with fewer
than 2% unemployed.
- The percentage of UK doctoral graduates working in commercial, industrial
and public sector management roles increased from 7% shortly after graduating
to 11% three and a half years later.
- 94% of doctoral graduates use their research skills in their job with at
least 40% conducting research most of the time.
- 92% of graduates feel that their doctorate has enabled them to be innovative
in the workplace.
- 54% of doctoral graduates are employed in jobs outside higher education
in sectors including healthcare, engineering, finance, statistical professions
and wider business and industry.
Professor Rick Rylance, RCUK Champion for Research Careers said: “RCUK is committed
to attracting and training excellent researchers who can make an impact through
world-class research and bring major benefits to the UK. This new report provides,
for the first time, comprehensive evidence of the value of doctoral study to researchers,
their employers and society at large. I would recommend this report to policy makers
and to employers looking for people who can make a real difference to their organisations.”
The report presents analysis undertaken by the Institute of Employment Studies
of a study which investigated career outcomes and impact of doctoral graduates who
left higher education in 2004/05. It forms part of a wider investigation led by
Research Councils UK (RCUK) and supported by Vitae to explore and track the career
pathways of doctoral graduates. The aims of the
RCUK Doctoral Career Pathways study are to inform policy development regarding
supporting and training future doctoral graduates and highlight their impact on
the UK job market.
A full copy of the report is available on the Vitae website:
http://www.vitae.ac.uk/
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Further information
Contact:
Jane Wakefield
RCUK Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444592
Notes to editors
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The report uses data from both the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education
(DLHE) survey and the follow-up Longitudinal Survey of the Destinations of Leavers
of Higher Education (L DLHE). In total, 5,587 2004/05 postgraduate researchers
who responded to DLHE were contacted and invited to take part in the L DLHE
survey. Of these, 2,501 responded providing a response rate of 45%. The final
survey dataset available for analysis included 2,073 doctoral graduates and
428 research masters qualifiers.
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Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's
seven Research Councils. We invest annually around £3 billion in research. Our
focus is on excellence with impact. We nurture the highest quality research,
as judged by international peer review providing the UK with a competitive advantage.
Global research requires we sustain a diversity of funding approaches, fostering
international collaborations, and providing access to the best facilities and
infrastructure, and locating skilled researchers in stimulating environments.
Our research achieves impact – the demonstrable contribution to society and
the economy made by knowledge and skilled people. To deliver impact, researchers
and businesses need to engage and collaborate with the public, business, government
and charitable organisations.
www.rcuk.ac.uk
The seven UK Research Councils are:
- Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
- Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
- Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
- Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
- Medical Research Council (MRC);
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
- Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
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Vitae is supported by Research Councils UK (RCUK), managed by CRAC:
The Career Development Organisation and delivered in partnership with regional
Hub host universities. Vitae works with UK higher education institutions (HEIs)
to embed professional and career development in the research environment. Vitae
plays a major role in innovating, sharing practice and enhancing the capability
of the higher education sector to provide professional development and training
for researchers. Our vision is for the UK to be world-class in supporting the
personal, professional and career development of researchers.
Our aims:
- building human capital by influencing the development and implementation
of effective policy relating to researcher development
- enhancing higher education provision to train and develop researchers
- empowering researchers to make an impact in their careers
- evidencing the impact of professional and career development support
for researchers.
For further information about the range of Vitae activities go to
http://www.vitae.ac.uk/
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The Institute of Employment Studies (IES) was commissioned to undertake
analysis of postgraduate researchers’ responses L DLHE as part of the RCUK Doctoral
Cohort Study. The IES aims to improve employment policy in the UK nationally,
regionally and locally, as well as internationally, by carrying out authoritative
research of practical relevance to policy makers and those responsible for implementing
policy programmes and initiatives.
http://www.employment-studies.co.uk/
- Information about the L DLHE is available from HESA
http://www.hesa.ac.uk
- Information about the RCUK Doctoral Cohort Study is available
here