30% of graduates struggle to find skilled jobs as student debt hits £260bn, data reveals

UK student loan debt has reached £260bn, highlighting issues with graduate employment as 30% of graduates struggle to secure skilled jobs within 15 months of finishing university, according to data from the Office for Students (OfS).

Data from the Student Loans Company showed that many graduates repay less than 10% of their debt. 

Ed Fidoe, CEO of the London Interdisciplinary School (LIS), promoted interdisciplinary learning to better prepare students for the job market. 

He said: “University debt is one of the largest in our lifetime and undeniably, one of the largest stressors for students navigating the higher education path. 

“The key to tackling student debt is ensuring that graduates are able to secure meaningful, well-paid roles to counter the amount in a manner that is manageable and efficient.” 

Fidoe added: “Our first cohort of graduates highlights the focus on workplace appropriate degrees – underpinned by an interdisciplinary learning model – to accelerate career success. 

“Half of our graduates secured skilled employment within a month of graduating, which is significant when considered against nearly three in ten of the wider graduate population who still haven’t progressed into skilled jobs.”

Research from recruitment firm Robert Walters supports this, indicating that new graduates typically take six months to secure employment, but LIS graduates find work faster.