The full-time employment rate for business studies Masters graduates was above the average for all subjects, with relatively few going on to further study
The most popular Masters subject, accounting for 17% of the total cohort in 2016, was business studies. It was also the only discipline where part-time study was the most popular mode of learning (53.7%).
Those who studied full time tended to be younger, with 78% of graduates aged between 21 and 29 years old. Those who opted to study part time were typically older, with 83% aged 30 and above.
Outcomes
For part-time graduates the outcomes were positive, with a higher than average number in full-time work six months after graduation. Graduates who studied full time also experienced a higher than average full-time employment rate.
There was a significant contrast between the unemployment rates for both groups. Those who studied full time experienced a higher than average unemployment rate, while the figure for graduates who studied part time was considerably lower, and in line with their overall average.
A small proportion went on to further study, with below average figures for both groups.
Outcomes,Business studies FT,Business studies PT Full time work,69.78503798,86.9561487 Part time work,7.388317253,4.483659552 Working and studying,3.025890383,2.836883358 Further study,4.131812583,1.102371358 Unemployed,10.10180386,2.569247631 Other,5.567137945,2.051689399
Industries
Graduates who studied full time tended to gravitate towards roles in other business and finance industries. This is unsurprising considering a large number were occupied in business and finance roles.
The outcomes for graduates who studied part time were more varied, with large proportions working in:
- business and finance
- education
- health
- local and central government
- manufacturing.
Employer size appeared to be an important factor, with 61% of business studies Masters graduates working for a company with more than a thousand employees.
Industries,Business studies FT,Business studies PT Manufacturing,8.111175048,12.29480194 Construction · engineering · research and development,6.056923492,5.692534236 Retail,10.04108503,5.497275806 Logistics,2.330700297,2.223236637 Hospitality and tourism,4.741075776,1.924017081 Media and publishing,1.864721197,1.374171698 IT and telecoms,7.901524693,7.18097482 Legal and accountancy,7.126100061,3.175673686 Management consultancy,4.30527667,2.291856869 Other business and finance,25.39666571,15.02488588 Marketing and PR,5.512476409,1.025769401 Education,5.827153141,10.24326314 Health,2.263499511,14.49948461 Social care,2.045801158,3.322927404 Local and central govt,2.763682603,10.92563687 Arts · sports and leisure,2.368123488,1.698718893 Other industries,1.34401571,1.60477102
Employment
Employment outcomes for business studies Masters graduates were strong, with 91.7% in a professional-level job six months after graduation. Only 4% of those who studied part-time were in non-professional employment.
Business and finance occupations were popular among full-time graduates, where they often worked as finance, investment and business analysts and advisers or as human resources and industrial relations officers.
A number of graduates who studied full time were also employed in marketing and sales occupations, either as marketing associate professionals, sales accounts and business development managers, or business sales executives.
Managerial roles were largely filled by those who studied part time. These graduates worked in human resources, health services and finance departments. Graduates who study part time often pursue courses with a strong continuing professional development (CPD) element, enabling them to advance into more senior positions.
Types of work,Business studies FT,Business studies PT Managers,9.841946553,39.78299225 Health,0.419929452,3.933558992 Education ,2.050055591,3.835212678 Social and welfare,1.572935747,1.506900388 Science,0.18636869,0.469713739 Engineering,5.342302493,2.58782913 IT,3.063085402,5.171548265 Business and finance,40.29723007,25.2162885 Marketing and sales,18.26493149,8.219696858 Arts and media,1.523744011,0.655544237 Other professionals,2.430791627,4.725907355 Health and education occupations,0.679885779,0.39162383 Clerical and secretarial,6.968429304,2.123399671 Retail and service ,3.732572928,0.469713739 Other occupations,3.505811024,0.792641934 Unknown occupations,0.119979843,0.117428435
Location
A lot of opportunities for business studies Masters graduates are centred around London, with a high proportion of graduates who studied both full and part time working there. Those who studied part time were less concentrated in the capital than their full-time counterparts, with a greater number securing employment in the provinces.
Only London and the East of England employed more graduates than studied in these locations.
Outside London, the most popular cities for graduate employment were:
- Manchester
- Edinburgh
- Birmingham
- Belfast
- Leeds.
Options for these graduates tended to be concentrated in larger cities with the most diverse labour market options, particularly in business services.
Location,Business studies FT,Business studies PT North East,1.617832472,2.628585346 North West,8.86808851,9.093123205 Yorkshire and The Humber,3.657974302,7.024411687 East Midlands,3.848931578,5.10836603 West Midlands,6.280372612,5.841102758 East of England,3.672255295,6.721753103 London,44.76887233,32.4218924 South East,9.421374974,12.16129118 South West,4.141487916,6.340979497 Wales,2.223754595,5.34122602 Scotland,8.098547011,5.138364574 Northern Ireland,3.278099894,2.030396545 Guernsey · Jersey and the Isle of Man,0.12240851,0.148507647
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