More UEA graduates than ever gaining employment in the region, survey reveals
By: Communications
More than 80% of students who graduate from the University of East Anglia (UEA) are employed in professional work or in further study, according to figures released today (Thursday 13 June).
The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024 measures the percentage of graduates in professional work or further study 15 months after graduating, with 81% of UEA’s 2021/22 cohort in this category.
The survey also revealed that a higher proportion of UEA students are remaining in East Anglia than ever before, with 53.7% of full-time undergraduates (699 people) from the 2021/22 cohort in employment or further study within the region. 
Image: Dr Matt Aldrich
Dr Matt Aldrich, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Employability and Opportunities at UEA, said:
“One of our key goals as a university is to give students the platform to achieve their career ambitions and to find gainful employment in a sector they are passionate about, so it’s great to know that the vast majority of our students are continuing to do this.
“Degrees open up opportunities for work in different parts of the country and further afield, and we know that UEA graduates are working in jobs across the globe. However, we also recognise that we have a responsibility to our region, so it’s pleasing to see that students who study here are staying here and making a valuable contribution to local industries and the wider regional economy.”
The data also suggests that UEA students from the most disadvantaged areas of participation in higher education (HE), known as POLAR quintile 1, have higher positive outcome scores than students from areas with highest participation in HE – promoting social mobility and upskilling young people in our region
Elise Harrison graduated from UEA in 2022 with a first-class degree in BSc Psychology with a Placement Year and now works full-time as a Clinical Associate Psychologist for the Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Trust.
Image: Elise Harrison at her UEA graduation
Elise said:
“Completing my placement year during my undergraduate degree was a real advantage. Until then, I hadn’t had proper hands-on work experience, it was through this that I later gained employment. Having that first-hand experience at an undergrad level boosted my employability.
“All of my professors had relevant clinical and academic experience in clinical psychology. They had vast experience working in the NHS which meant they had direct knowledge of how to put theory into practice and, most importantly, the knowledge to help us do that as well.”
Rohnjose Saji came to UEA from India in 2021 to continue his studies, having already completed his undergraduate degree in Mathematics, and obtained a Master's degree in Data Science. 
Image: Rhonjose Saji at his UEA graduation
After graduating, Rhon landed a dream job in Norwich as an insight analysist with JLL, a global real estate services company with offices in eighty-eight countries.
Speaking about his experience at UEA, Rhon said:
“UEA’s environment really pushes us to become something in life. In my personal opinion, that was really helpful. If someone wants to study, if they want to achieve something, UEA is the best place.
“Leaving my family and a familiar life behind is not easy. I had to learn to live alone and be independent in a way I hadn’t needed to before. However, at my current point in life, I can say proudly that choosing to apply to UEA was one of the best decisions I have ever taken in life.”
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