Graduate recruitment is on the up this year, with a predicted rise in the number of jobs and salaries offered to those leaving university.

Vacancies are expected to rise by around 11% above last year, with starting salaries up by 3% to £23,000 according to the Graduate Market report.
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The report, which looks at the top 100 firms to work for, found that more than half of leading employers expect to recruit more graduates in 2006 than last year.

Over-all, graduate vacancies have risen by 22% since 2004 and starting salaries by 5.8% - above the rate of inflation - over the same period.

Investment banks, law firms and consulting firms will offer the most generous starting salaries.

Accountancy and professional services make up the fastest-growing sector as well as the largest recruiter of graduates, with vacancies expected to rise by 28.8% from last year.

Public sector jobs will make up 16% of the total graduate sector, but vacancies in the sector are not set to rise this year.

The media, oil and energy companies and law firms also plan to recruit more graduates in 2006.