As the celebrations of graduating are in full swing, many graduates fear the employment market ahead. A recent survey has revealed that the graduate job market is more competitive than ever with vacancies down by 7% and 69 graduates chasing each graduate job. Those lucky enough to secure a job are likely to have at least a 2:1 as three quarters of employers require these grades. It was found that degree classification is used more as a selection criterion than relevant work experience (34%), degree subject (33%) or going to a particular university (7%). Making matters worse are the graduates from 2009 also competing for this year’s graduate jobs.

With such a pressure to achieve a 2:1, students are becoming disheartened when choosing their degree subject and university. With university choice and degree subject becoming irrelevant to employers, students wish they had chosen to study less challenging degrees at average universities in order to secure a 2:1.

Campus Ali says: The graduate job market is currently a huge concern for students and recent graduates and puts added pressure on students to achieve at least a 2:1. Hopefully the coming years will bring better things for graduates, but 2010 remains, like last year, an employers market.