Women are more likely than men to be employed six months after graduating from a degree, research shows.

Around eight per cent of men were unemployed six months after a first degree, almost double the amount of women (4.7%), the Higher Education Careers Service Unit (Hecsu) reports.

Total employment figures after a first degree were 73.6% for women and 70% for men.

Dr Charlie Ball, Hecsu labour market analyst, said women were more willing to gain skills to improve their chances for jobs.

“It would seem some men and some women graduates are approaching job seeking rather differently, particularly when they are having a little bit of trouble finding work straight away,” he commented.

“The women’s view is, “My dream job hasn’t arrived, so I will go out and get a few more skills and more experience under my belt so that when it arrives I will be ready.”

He suggested that the male approach was to wait until the ideal position became available, rather than seeking further training.

He said: “Men are perhaps thinking, “My dream job hasn’t arrived yet – I will just stay here until it does.”