The Head of UCAS says strong leadership is why the University of Worcester is first in the UK for sustained graduate employment.
Dr Jo Saxton CBE, Chief Executive of the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, was speaking after a visit to the University, where she met staff and toured facilities including the Hive library.
She said: “I’m a big fan of data and I’m conscious that the University of Worcester is number one in terms of sustained employment for its graduates, so I was really keen to get a sense of the secret to that success.”
She said the secret was clear when she came to visit: “Brilliant leadership and management. There’s a real, relentless focus on getting the teaching and learning right for the students. Lots of universities would say the same, but it feels very palpable at Worcester.”
The University of Worcester is 1st in the UK for sustained employment and/or further study five years after graduation (LEO 2024, excluding specialist institutions), and 96.5% of our graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating. (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023)
Dr Saxton said a particular highlight of her visit was touring the Hive library, Europe’s first public and university shared library.
She said: “I really wanted to see the library. I thought it was absolutely stunning and so interesting as well in terms of the power of education, and the role of universities to not just transform individual lives, but communities too.”
Dr Saxton’s comments came in the week Lord Willetts’ report; ‘Are Universities Worth It’, concluded that graduates not only earn more over their lifetime, but that higher education prolongs the working life of graduates compared with non-graduates.
She said: “My own life was transformed by university, and I’ve seen hundreds if not thousands of young people’s lives transformed by the power of education.”
She continued: “I was the first in my family to go to university, and I’d encourage everyone to think seriously about going. My advice would be to go to an open day and actually have a look around.”
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries, telephone 01905 855111 or email [email protected]