Top choice for employers

Graduates from Edge Hill University are among the most likely students in the North West to gain employment after completing their studies, according to statistics published this week.

Nearly 97% of students are in full-time work or further study within six months of graduating, with just 3.3% of students assumed to be unemployed - a figure which is well below the national average of 4.8%.

The figures, from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions 2006/07 survey, show that of 1835 students who graduated in 2006/7, 1350 had gone directly into full-time work, a further 265 were combining work with study and 105 were adding to their qualifications by embarking on further study.

The statistics underline the University's long-standing tradition of offering academic courses with a strong focus on employability. The University is the largest provider of Initial Teacher Training for secondary education in the UK and trains 4,000 of the region's healthcare professionals each year. Similarly, 75% of our students graduate with degrees that have professional industry accreditation.

Edge Hill University's Vice-Chancellor, Dr. John Cater, said: "Edge Hill University prides itself on its success in combining academic and vocationally-relevant education and training, and it is particularly pleasing to see this manifest itself in the large numbers of graduates who are starting out on successful careers.

"We wish all of our graduates enjoyable and rewarding futures as they make a key contribution to many of the country's most highly valued professions."