Graduates fear they will never be able to afford their own home

Over half, 57 per cent, of final year undergraduates fear that they will never be able to buy somewhere to live according to the Guardianís Grad Facts 2006 survey launched today. With initial average salary expectations for graduates at 18,000, increasing to 24,000 after two years, most graduates fear they will find it impossible to get a mortgage, especially in London.

Andre McGarrigle, Head of Planning and Research, Guardian Newspapers Ltd, said: ì We found that worries about being able to buy a home increased for those who wanted to work in the charity sector, social services and local government. This reflects the ongoing problem for key workers with home affordability.î

The survey of more than 2,000 final year undergraduates across the UK, commissioned by the Guardian, also reveals concerns about the impact of tuition fees. Over a third, 34 per cent, of UK final year undergraduates admitted that they would not have gone to university if they had to pay the new top up fees that will be introduced for the first time from the beginning of the new academic year.

Other findings show that women have lower salary expectations, by eight per cent, than men. Though this could be partly explained by the fact that women are more likely to work in the public and charity sectors, the survey found there is a gap in expectations amongst those who want to work within the same job area. Sixty three per cent of female graduates feel it is easier for men to get ahead than women.

Interestingly for employers the majority, 72 per cent, of todayís graduates feel that corporate social responsibility and the ethical record of a prospective employer are extremely important when looking for a job. Forty two per cent stated that a successful career was the most important goal in their life and over half, 54 per cent, believe that it was important to be passionate about the job or industry they were working in.

Andre McGarrigle, Head of Planning and Research, Guardian Newspapers Ltd, said: ì There was a clear pattern when we asked the graduates about specific employers. Essentially, the more ethical an employer was perceived to be, the more attractive they were as an employer, which highlights the importance of corporate social responsibility in the eyes of graduates.î

Women and ethnic minorities still find it tough to get ahead
For the majority of ethnic minority graduates, 60 per cent, equality of opportunity was the most important factor when choosing a prospective employer. Over half, 57 per cent, of ethnic minority graduates feel it is harder for them to get ahead in the workplace. This is in contrast to non-ethnic minority graduates, with only 15 per cent agreeing that it was harder for ethnic groups to get ahead.

A similar percentage of male and female graduates, 42 per cent, agree that a successful career was the most important goal in their lives. Half of male final year undergraduates expect a promotion in their early careers in contrast to only 38 per cent of their female counterparts. Sixty three per cent of female graduates feel it is still easier for men to get ahead.

Working life
Despite the increasing cost of going to university only 26 per cent of those surveyed deemed an excellent salary extremely important in a prospective job. Todayís final year undergraduates also place being challenged and putting something back into society a greater priority than salary in their careers. Seventy two per cent of final year university students stated that they would have to feel happy with the ethical record of a prospective employer regardless of the industry sector they wanted to work in, be it pharmaceuticals, finance, retail or engineering.

Further study
Despite their impoverished status a quarter of all final year undergraduates want to undertake further studying. This represents a five per cent increase since the last Grad Facts 2002 survey when only a fifth of final year students were hoping to go into postgraduate study.
The survey findings will be released today, Tuesday 11 July, at the Association of Graduate Recruitersí annual conference.