The Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU) has secured a contract with Universities UK to research employer engagement with postgraduate courses.
HECSU will lead the project, with support from the Council for Industry and Higher Education (CIHE) and research agency CFE.
The study will address the information gap around employer engagement with postgraduate education. Specifically, the extent to which universities are collaborating with businesses to develop courses that meet the skill requirements of employers and the value of postgraduate skills to employers as well as to particular professions. Recommendations will be made for both universities and businesses.
Jane Artess, director of research at HECSU said: “Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in our contribution to higher education and the subsequent support for students and graduates. So we are delighted to start a new year by leading a project that will get to the bottom of some of the more pertinent questions surrounding postgraduate study.
“The employability of students undertaking this level of education is a particularly controversial issue at the moment. We will provide evidence of employer engagement, creating more transparency.”
HECSU, CFE and CIHE have established a strong working relationship based on shared expertise in research and development within the graduate labour market.
The Taught Postgraduate Employability and Employer Engagement research project is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Work will commence immediately and the outcomes are expected to be made available by summer 2013.
