Employment I am confident about getting the job I want after graduation I have skills and experience that employers want I already have a lot of work experience I have taken part in activities to develop my skills for employment Strongly disagree Moderately disagree Neutral Moderately agree Strongly agree Figure 20: Breakdown of responses to Employment theme questions The Employment score measures applicants’ confidence in their graduate employment prospects together with their employability skills and experience. Up 3 from 2024 67 The overall employment theme score has increased for the second year running, rising by 5 points over the last two years and representing a strong growth in confidence about, and preparation for, future employability among applicants. This year sees stronger levels of confidence across all areas, with 60% of applicants confident that they will get the job they want after graduation. Male applicants are particularly confident; almost three quarters (73%) think they will get the job they want. International applicants tend to be more confident across all measures, and Chinese applicants particularly so. Applicants that have attended a fee-paying school are more confident about their graduate job prospects, and are more likely to have taken part in activities that develop employment skills (71%) than those from state school (63%). Care experienced applicants are more likely to agree that they have a lot of work experience (68%) and overall are more confident about their job prospects. 9% 16% 27% 43% 4% 10% 16% 25% 5% 45% 14% 19% 22% 33% 11% 9% 19% 24% 43% 5% Unite Students | Applicant Index Report 28 INTRODUCTION THEMATIC ANALYSIS EMPLOYMENT METHODOLOGY TOPICAL ISSUES BACK TO THEMES