New report states University of Cumbria equips students for future graduate success

The excellent rate of 97.3 per cent for all graduates places the University of Cumbria as the top university in the North West, and 12^th nationally, for Graduate Outcomes, with the figure being above the higher education sector average by 2.5 per cent.

The data has been published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)[1] and is for 2021-22 graduates, with the Graduate Outcomes survey taking place 15 months after graduation.

Of full-time graduates, 96.3 per cent are in employment or further study, above the national average for higher education institutions (94.1 per cent).  For part-time graduates, the figure is 98.6% being in employment or further study 15 months after graduation, which is also above the national average (98.1%).

The data has been published just a month before the University of Cumbria’s summer graduation ceremonies take place in July, at Carlisle Cathedral, where more than 1,000 students will graduate.

Vice Chancellor Professor Julie Mennell, pictured, said: “We’re delighted with these results. They demonstrate our continued strength and success in the annual Graduate Outcomes survey, which placed alongside the TEF Silver award and the Good Ofsted outcomes we’ve had for both our apprenticeship provision earlier this month and Initial Teaching Education in 2023 indicates the progress and impact that the university is making in delivering upon on its strategic mission and purpose.

“Our priority remains that students studying programmes here at the University of Cumbria are equipped with the higher-level skills, knowledge and experience necessary to undertake professional roles with local, national and international employers. We are committed to ensuring our students succeed and continue to work in partnership with stakeholders, employers and sectors to produce graduates with the skills and abilities needed to enable our communities, economy and environment to thrive, now and for generations to come.”

A detailed breakdown of the Graduate Outcomes HESA data comes as new research finds that the UK’s universities are held in high esteem by the British public[2]. According to the Policy Institute of King’s College London[3], UK universities rank behind only the NHS, the Armed Forces and the Royal Family in a table of institutions considered to be among the best in the world.

ENDS