Supporting graduates in a Covid-19 economy

The impact of Covid-19 will have very significant economic and workforce implications that will be felt for many years to come.
While at present the true extent of the economic fallout cannot be gauged, all the indicators appear to suggest that the UK is going to face a severe and deep recession accompanied by sharp rise in unemployment. This presents unique challenges for those students graduating in 2020 – but also for graduates who finished their courses in recent years and who are progressing their early careers.

As such, it is vital that policymakers consider what more can be done to support graduates during this challenging time and ensure they are well placed to help the UK recover and rebuild following Covid-19.

Read the full set of proposals. 



Universities have been working hard to put in place all possible measures to help support students and recent graduates. Within the space of a couple of weeks, university careers services moved their entire programme of activities and events online, sparking new and innovative ways of working with employers, students and graduates.

Examples of what universities have been doing in response can be found in this collection of case studies (PDF), and can also be downloaded for use on social media (JPEG and GIF).

News

Students in corridor

Government decision on student returns in England 'hugely disappointing for students'

13 April 2021
UUK's response to the government's decision to delay further student returns until at least 17 May 2021.

Joint letter from UUK, Student Minds and NUS on student returns

11 April 2021
With student and young people’s wellbeing at risk, universities are keen to ensure that students can experience the positive learning and wellbeing benefits of returning to Covid-safe campuses for the summer term.

Blog

We Are Together logo on pink background

We are together: students supporting the national effort against Covid-19

12 March 2021
Over the past year, staff and students at UK universities have played a vital role in fighting Covid-19 through research and supporting their local communities. Here, three students from across the UK share their stories.
A student carrying books

Student reviews tell the story of 2020

1 March 2021
​After studying more than 16,000 student reviews, Paul Humphreys, Founder and CEO at StudentCrowd, looks at how students have been experiencing university this year.