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Geography graduates who left university in the 2019/20 academic year had higher employment rates than those of almost every other social science subject, according to data released in the recent What do graduates do? 2023 report produced by Prospects and AGCAS.
The full-time employment rate for UK-domiciled geography (social science) first degree graduates was 54.9%. This represents the joint highest social science employment rate (along with education) and compares to an average full-time employment rate of 50.1% for all social science graduates.
Similarly, physical and geographical sciences had the second highest full-time employment rate for science graduates at 51.9%, behind only chemistry.
Many other geography students went on to carry out further study, with 17.6% of physical and geographical sciences students continuing to further study and another 11% working and studying. 14.6% of geography (social science) graduates were engaged in further study and 12.1% were working and studying.
The data is particularly interesting as the report covers graduates who left university during the 2019/20 academic year and were therefore affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Employment rates are based on a survey conducted 15 months later.
Dr Catherine Souch, Head of Research and Higher Education at the Society said:
“The data shows that geography remains a great choice for students who are keen to secure a full-time job soon after finishing university. Geography graduates have a range of specialist and transferable skills that make them highly employable.”
Find out more about studying geography at university