Most graduates overqualified for their job, study finds
The amount of people graduating from university now vastly outweighs the number of high-skilled jobs.
Over half (58.8 per cent) of UK graduates are over-qualified for their job, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Research published by the organisation shows that the amount of people graduating from university now vastly outweighs the number of high-skilled jobs.
As a result, some employers are now seeking degrees for positions which are traditionally non-graduate roles. The practice is especially prevalent in industries which historically relied on apprenticeships, such as manufacturing and construction.
The CIPD claim that the imbalance is partly due to the UK's relatively high graduation rate and lower levels of vocational training.
Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, said: “The assumption that we will transition to a more productive, higher value, higher skilled economy just by increasing the conveyor belt of graduates is proven to be flawed.
"Simply increasing the qualification level of individuals going into a job does not typically result in the skill required to do the job being enhanced – in many cases that skills premium, if it exists at all, is simply wasted.”
To coincide with GCSE results day, the CIPD has published a guide for parents highlighting the different non-university options available for their children.
“Efforts need to be redoubled to ensure young people, making choices after receiving their GCSE and A-Level results, can access good quality careers information, advice and guidance so they can make better informed decisions,” said Cheese.
“Our report highlights why young people should think carefully about opting for university when, for example, going into an apprenticeship at 16 or 18 could be a much better choice.”
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
