It has become a received wisdom that the completion of a work placement as part of a sandwich undergraduate degree is of positive benefit both to graduates and employers, particularly in an era that stresses the economic contribution of higher education through developing graduate employability. This benefit is twofold: first, work placements…

This article analyses a recent cohort (2006) of UK graduates, and explores the previously neglected relationship between age and post-degree employment. Much work on mature students assumes their overall experience to be one of disadvantage relative to traditional-age graduates, and this includes employability research. Here, mature students are…

Higher education choice has been a central theme in sociological research in recent decades, especially following the policies for the widening of participation adopted in many countries. Research has shown a relationship between social class and higher education choice, and this is a reason why the expansion of higher education does not reduce…

There is an increasing trend within higher education and, more specifically, in higher degrees by research, to treat a professional skills set as a desirable graduate outcome. The increasing value that is being placed on a professional skills set in large part reflects growing interest around the world in the role of research degrees in labour…

Mandatory internships are implemented in higher education curricula in order to ease the labour market integration of graduates. This article evaluates the utility of mandatory internships in Germany by assessing the effect on graduates' transition from higher education to work. The authors examine whether these compulsory programmes provide extra…

This article reports on a study for the Higher Education Funding Council for England on the impact of employability skills teaching and learning on graduate labour market prospects. The findings of the study cast doubt on the assumption that these skills can be effectively developed within classrooms. Detailed information gathered at university…

Analysis of degree awards in Great Britain shows considerable inconsistency across disciplines and poor results in the accounting field. The implications for the labor market and accounting employment prospects are examined, and a reexamination of the application of equivalent standards across subjects is recommended. (MSE)

The aim of this article is to analyse the transferability of higher education undertaken abroad to a domestic labour market. More specifically, how do Norwegians who have undertaken their education abroad cope on the labour market compared to those who have a corresponding education from Norway? To examine this, we analyse short-term labour market…

The demand for doctoral social scientists in the United Kingdom is examined, based on data from a national study. The nature and extent of employment opportunities, academic and nonacademic, are discussed, and experiences of recent doctorates moving into employment are noted. Demand is found to be minimal outside academe. (Author/MSE)

Results of a study of the significance of a variety of social and economic factors, including knowledge of the labor market, on new college student subject area and career preferences are reported. Differences found among subject areas and between men and women are noted, and the implications of the study's findings for curriculum development are…

Human capital theories are examined. Both economic and political influences are cited, and further study of the struggle of mostly male worker groups pursuing industrial and professional interests in the workplace and training system is suggested. (MSE)

A survey of almost 1,000 research and development staff at large industrial corporations in Britain and Japan investigated differences in employment structures (market-oriented vs. organization-oriented), learning in higher education, and career expectations. Significant differences were found in attitudes of workers in the two countries.…

A study of income flow patterns and individual decisions to undertake college-level study suggests that perceived income and other labor market prospects influence student decisions but vary with age and discipline. Although females perceive lower income, that lower income does not statistically affect the decision to attend college. (MSE)