Access to what: analysis of factors determining graduate employability

This report is the first output of a project entitled 'Access to what?: how to convert educational opportunity into employment opportunity for groups from disadvantaged backgrounds'. The project was funded by the Higher Education Funding Councils for England, Scotland and Wales, Universities UK, the Commission for Racial Equality, the Council for Industry and Higher Education, the Higher Education Careers Services Unit and the Open University. The aim of the project was to improve the employment prospects of students from socially 'disadvantaged' groups. The present report provides a detailed analysis, based on survey data and [Higher Education Support Act] HESA statistics, of the factors determining graduate employability and how these affect the employment prospects of students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, from ethnic minorities and mature students. The second phase of the project explored the policies and practices needed to create greater equity in the graduate labour market. Show less