Students expect to be ready for jobs

More than two-thirds of UK students think university should prepare them for a professional career, but less than half think it does, according to business-backed scheme Teach First.

A survey for the scheme, set up to recruit graduates to a two-year teaching stint in London schools, asked students in 25 universities what they wanted to do after graduation, what they wanted to achieve and whether they felt adequately prepared for work.

While 70 per cent of students at the London School of Economics, King's College London and University College London felt university should prepare them for a professional career, only 39 per cent of those at Cambridge University and 47 per cent of those at Oxford University agreed.

Within five years of graduating, 36 per cent wanted to achieve "money" and 31 per cent "respect". Aims changed over time:after 20 years, half the students wanted a "family", with money falling to 13 per cent and respect to 17 per cent.