A survey by London based group High Fliers shows that women graduates are losing out in the jobs market when compared to men because they expect less.

The research, conducted for major graduate employers such as Lloyds TSB, Ford and Arthur Andersen indicated that

• men expected a higher income at the start of their post-graduate work, with an expected starting salary of £18,400. The expectations for women was £16,000.
• Men expected to be earning £35,400 within five years of graduating compared to womens £28,900.
• Only 22% of women expected to find a job immediately following their graduation compared to 32% of men.

"The results will make alarming reading for students who are just returning to universities this autumn for their final year of studies", said Martin Birchall of High Flyers. "There has aleways been concern that women can face 'glass ceilings' at the top of their chosen career, but this study highlights the very real differences in expectations at entry level, too."