institute for employment studies
Creative Graduates Creative Futures
Background about the project
Creative Graduates Creative Futures is the largest-ever study of the career patterns of graduates from UK courses in art, design, craft and media. During the research we will be contacting almost 28,000 graduates from universities and higher education colleges across the UK. We will explore their experiences of higher education, their activities since graduating, the work they are currently engaged in, and their plans for the future.
- It will give the real story of graduate careers and help students and prospective students make decisions about their future.
- It will show the contribution graduates make to the UK economy and wider society – the skills and abilities they bring to all situations.
- It will identify the most useful and valued aspects of the HE experience to inform curriculum development and careers advice within HE.
The study follows in the footsteps of the highly successful and influential Destinations and Reflections research which tracked the careers of graduates from 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996. Click here for a summary of Destinations and Reflections research.
This new study is ambitious and exciting.
For more detailed information setting out the case for the study, the terms of reference and anticipated outcomes; and also for details about the organisation and administration of the study please download the position paper:
Why is it important?
The research is critical as it will illustrate the enduring contribution that art, design, craft and media graduates have to the UK economy and to wider society. It will build a picture of real careers over time, demonstrating the complex nature of graduate careers within and outside of the creative industries. The study will also identify the most useful and valued aspects of the HE experience, and this will inform curriculum development, employability strategies and careers advice within HE. The study will involve live research that will result in action within institutions, the sector and beyond.
Who is involved?
The research is funded by a partnership of 26 universities and colleges and the Council for Higher Education in Arts and Design (CHEAD). It is supported by the Arts Council; Design Council; Crafts Council; Skillset; and the Higher Education Academy Art, Design and Media subject centre.
The study is being undertaken by the Institute for Employment Studies, a not-for-profit independent research institute that specialises in researching student and graduate experiences. A steering group of representatives from the partner universities and colleges are overseeing the study progress, and the study is directed by Linda Ball at the University of Arts London.
- partner higher education institutions
- secure project area for partner institutions
- contact the project team
The Creative Graduates Creative Futures survey
In September 2008, the call went out to first degree and foundation degree graduates who graduated in either 2002, 2003 or 2004 from practice-based Courses targeted included: fine art practice, applied arts and crafts, fashion and textiles, 3-D design, graphic design, promotion and illustration, multi-media, inter-active and electronic design, visual communication, media production, and any other inter-disciplinary art and design coursearts, design, craft and media courses.
We are very pleased to announce that 3,500 graduates responded to our questionnaire survey between September and December 2008, and the survey is now closed. Graduates were contacted through social and professional networks, through industry magazines and newspapers, through Alumni associations or directly by their university or college. We asked graduates to tell us about their experiences on their courses and how they have spent their time since graduating.
The findings from the survey have now been published:
Prize draw
Each graduate taking part in the survey had the opportunity to enter into a prize draw to win the top prize of £1,000 in high street vouchers or 20 runner up prizes of £100 also in high street vouchers. The draw took place after the survey closed in December 2008, and the winners have been contacted and have received their prizes.
Donations to charity
For every completed survey, 50p was donated to one of three charities, and respondents could choose which charity their 50p went to.
- £208 was raised for Art for Refugees in Transition
- £1,050 was raised for Marie Curie Cancer Care
- £518 was raised for UNICEF
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