Stirling is a leader in employability, new figures reveal

Stirling is the second-top university in Scotland and 14^th in the UK for employability, with 97.1 per cent of undergraduates in work or further study within six months of graduating.

The latest Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey, from the Higher Education Statistics Agency, puts Stirling above both the UK (94.6%) and Scottish (95.3%) averages.

It represents a 0.7 per cent year-on-year increase for Stirling – one of eight Scottish institutions with improved performance – and ranks it in joint second position alongside Queen Margaret University, once specialist institutions have been removed.

Robert Gordon University – fourth in Scotland last year – is now first.

Graduates Gregorio Rossi and Katja Nicholson have reflected on how their time at Stirling prepared them for the working world.

Gregorio, from Italy, studied Economics and Finance and improved his employability prospects by gaining professional qualifications – including the Investment Management Certificate – and worked part-time as a chef. He also participated in the Alumni Mentoring Scheme, working in the Credit Team at Hermes Investment Management.

In his last year, he took part in an Amplify Trading Boot Camp and was selected by the head trader to attend an assessment centre with the Brokerage firm TP ICAP. As a result of this, he was offered a job as a trainee broker.

“The opportunities I was offered to improve my skills and employability, such as the mentor programme and Amplify, really positions Stirling as peerless,” said Gregorio.   

“Lecturers at the university are very approachable and provide you with the support needed to achieve strong results.

“What really had an impact on me was my mentor who still gives me very valuable advice and helped me with making important decisions.”

Katja, who gained a BA (Hons) Social Work, undertook placements within a statutory older people’s service and at the Multi-Cultural Family Base as part of her studies. She also volunteered as a social work course ambassador.

“It was extremely beneficial that all lecturers were qualified social workers and brought a vast amount of knowledge and experience of different areas of social work to teaching,” she said.

“Our lecturers ensured that the teaching and assessment reflected different learning styles. We were taught through role play, video materials and group work where we used case studies to enhance our learning and develop our knowledge, skills and values.

“Most importantly, we had regular input from UNITY, Stirling University’s service user and carer group. This was a very unique and powerful learning experience which I will take with me and reflect upon in my future career.”

As a reward for all her hard work, Katja was offered a job as a Children and Families social worker at Fife Council.