Students have a realistic view of starting salaries

Our recent survey has found that most students have a realistic impression of what their graduate starting salary will be.

Results from the Big Choice Summer Survey 2012 showed that 31% of those asked believe their starting salary will fall between £20K and £24k.

This is in-line with our findings from employers which show that graduate salaries have increased by 6% this year (the first increase in three years) to a slightly higher average of £26,500.

The survey also showed that there are not enough graduate schemes for the number of candidates graduating each year and that many students expect to take an entry level job and work their way up.

Because of this 17% expect to start with earnings lower than £15,000, which even when location is considered is low.

Between June 3rd and July 12th the Big Choice surveyed 1,085 students from universities across the UK to gain insight into their views of the jobs market. During the same period we also questioned 40 top graduate employers for a realistic view of what graduates can expect when looking for a job.