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Economics and Finance

These statistics relate to graduates who studied Economics, Economics and Accounting, Business Economics and Finance and Accounting. Accountancy is a popular career choice with Finance and Accounting students. Chartered Accountancy training contracts within the banking sector and the top tier accountancy firms tend to be top of the list, and a number of this year’s graduates were successful in this area. ACCA and CIMA are also popular Accountancy qualifications with graduates interested in Trainee Accountants or other Accountancy roles. Tax and Treasury are two other areas entered as well as Finance Analyst roles.

In 2010/11, six months after graduating:

62.7% of graduates with a first degree were in employment

9.6% were in full-time further study

12.0% were combining work and study

Many Economist jobs require a higher degree, and the number of organisations employing Economists in the UK is small, so graduates from Economics and Business Finance degrees tend to aim for the professional business sector, with particular interest in Finance. A typical entry level role is that of an Analyst and graduates from this year’s cohort entered roles such as Finance or Data Analyst.

In 2010/11 Economics and Finance graduates were employed in the following positions:

• Accountant
• Assistant Economist
• Auditor
• Business Developer
• Currency Broker
• Derivative Collateral Analyst
• Digital Marketing Assistant
• Finance Analyst
• Financial Analyst
• Personal Banker

In 2010/11 Economics and Finance graduates entered further study courses such as:

• MA International Political Economy
• MA Economics and Business Finance
• MSc Banking and Finance
• MSc Economics
• MSc Finance and Investment

The positive impact of a sandwich placement on graduate employment outcomes across Brunel is considerable. Those who have done placements are also much more likely to be in employment for which their degree was a formal requirement or where they believe their degree gave them a competitive advantage in recruitment.

Placement leavers from Economics and Finance experienced the following outcomes:

• 87.2% progressed into employment or further study
• 76.5% were engaged in a graduate-level activity (employment or further study)
• 75.8% employed leavers were working in the top three categories of graduate level employment
• The average starting salary was £24,800. 

The graduate labour market remains competitive and relevant experience is increasingly required for graduate level jobs. For those without related experience job search strategy is often about getting a ‘foot in the door’ in order to compete for graduate positions later. As a result many Economics and Finance graduates were working in occupations such as Finance or Accounts Assistant/Intern in order to gain the experience required.

A growing national trend is for many students to delay their job applications until completing their studies, preferring to focus on achieving the highest grade possible. This can result in some graduates initially continuing with their part-time job while they explore their options after graduating. As a result some graduates were working in non-graduate level positions including sales, customer service and administrative occupations.

The DLHE survey provides a snapshot of a very short amount of time (six months) after graduating and while many have progressed into relevant graduate jobs others are taking time out, travelling, waiting to start a course or continuing with their part-time job while they explore their options after graduating. Many graduates have moved on in their careers since completing the questionnaire.