The graduates stuck with call-centre jobs

As many as 100,000 have failed to find jobs their qualifications merit, according to Government-backed research tracking the "class of 2003".

Media studies students are most likely to be recorded as having "non-graduate" posts, with 40 per cent languishing in call-centre posts or working in restaurants.

Across all degree disciplines, 23 per cent of first-time students are in jobs that fail to justify the expense of doing a degree some three-and-a-half years into their working lives.

Nine per cent of those with a bachelor's degree are earning less than £10,000.

The data shows that many students went on to get a second degree to improve their chances of succeeding in their chosen career.

Yet 7 per cent of students with post-graduate qualifications also report being in non-graduate jobs.

Overall, 38 per cent of 2003's graduates have had a spell in a non-graduate role as defined by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, which released the figures today.

The trends are certain to increase concerns Britain is producing too many graduates in the wrong subjects.

Ministers want 50 per cent of 18 to 30s in higher education - the figure is currently less than 45 per cent - but previous research has suggested an oversupply of arts and humanities graduates and shortages in science and engineering.

There have also been claims that not enough school-leavers are being steered towards apprenticeships.

Today's report, based on a poll of nearly 20,000 graduates, shows 2 per cent of students who left university in summer 2003 were jobless at the time of the follow-up survey in November last year.

Some 80 per cent were in work with the rest in further study, but 16 per cent had had at least one spell of unemployment since completing their undergraduate degrees.

The average salary was £23,000 but women were paid about £1,000 less than men.

An analysis of job types reveals the majority are in "graduate" jobs including traditional professions such as law and medicine.

However, the graduate jobs label also includes "niche" roles such as hotel and shop managers that do not necessarily need a degree.

The survey showed that 29 per cent of graduates would have considered taking a different course in hindsight but the figure rose to 41 per cent among those in non-graduate jobs.

With rising numbers of students achieving first and upper second class degrees, many employers are paying little attention to degree grades when recruiting universityleavers, the report suggests.

Only 14 per cent of those in graduate occupations said their class of degree had been a formal requirement for the job.

Professor Kate Purcell, a job market expert from Warwick University, said: "There are people directing themselves towards programmes of study which may not be the best thing they could do in terms of their future options."

Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell said: "Graduates perform exceptionally well in the labour market.

"The vast majority - 85 per cent - are satisfied with their career so far.

"The research also shows the average salaries for graduates rise by about 37 per cent in the first three years of their careers.

"Going on to higher education is indeed one of the best investments a young person can make."