20 years ago

Protestant graduates from Northern Ireland are more likely than Catholics to secure a job commensurate with their degrees, research shows. They also stand less chance of being unemployed. A survey among about 2,000 graduates who started their courses at the same time has found that the contrasting higher education disciplines the groups opt for explains the "significant difference" in the work they pursue. More Protestants embarked on science and technology careers than Catholics, who showed preferences for the arts, humanities and social sciences.

Australia's first private university, the Bond University on the Gold Coast, has attracted more applications for jobs than enrolments from students. More than 2,000 academics are believed to have applied but only 60 students have paid a deposit to guarantee a place.