The FINANCIAL -- The latest survey from the Association of Graduate Recruiters, found that the number of graduate vacancies are predicted to fall by 1.2 per cent in 2012, compared to a 1.7 per cent rise last year.

However, Chief Executive of the AGR, Carl Gilleard, recently interviewed in The Telegraph, highlighted the benefits for those students involved in courses with sandwich placements while advising students against taking two-year degrees.

Aston University has over forty years of experience in designing and developing degrees with an integrated placement year. Around 60% of Aston undergraduate students take a placement year, the highest of any UK university.

According to Aston University, the AGR survey also predicts that the average starting salary for graduates will increase by four per cent to £26,000 this year, after an "unprecedented period of stagnation". Starting wages had been stuck at £25,000 since 2009. The expected rise this year is the largest since 2005, when salaries increased by seven per cent, the study of 214 graduate employers found.

Gilleard’s comments are reflected in the annual ‘High Fliers’ survey of the UK’s top 100 graduate employers, which found that up to one in three graduates jobs this year would go to students who had previously worked for the employer.

David Willetts, Minister for universities and science has similarly praised Aston University’s placement year. He has called for more universities to follow Aston’s lead in offering 'sandwich courses' for undergraduates to help gain valuable work experience.

Related Stories

• Public services on threshold of a tech-driven reorganisation
• Beyond compliance
• Economic rattling means humdrum growth for remainder of year