GRADUATES are struggling to find employment after leaving the University of York, according to new figures.

The Guardian Good University Guide has found that only 64 per cent of the university’s graduates found employment six months after graduation – a drop of four per cent from last year. The findings have been echoed by the Complete University Guide, which found that 12th-place York had the lowest graduate employment prospects out of the top 25 universities in the table – falling from 71.5 per cent to 68.2 per cent. Graduates at similar universities have higher employment expectations – for example, 77.9 per cent at Bath University and 80.4 per cent at Durham University.

The statistics have led students to express fears that the careers department at the university is not doing enough to prepare undergraduates for the tough job market.

However, Timothy Ngwena, the president of York University Students’ Union, said that while the university was not in a “desirable position” in terms of graduate employment, the figures could be misleading.

He said: “It’s important to recognise that the statistics suffer a little from the historical nature of the data collected and isn’t always a true or clear reflection of the actions being taken on the ground.

“It’s also apparent that York students apply too little and too late to hit the six-month graduate data collection point and secure jobs often after that period, but aren’t counted in the data. That said, it is clear that York is not in a desirable position regarding graduate recruitment and we have been working closely with our careers services over the last couple of years to help shift the tide.”

A University of York spokesperson said its careers service was leading a university-wide strategy to enhance the employability of graduates, which is said was a well-resourced initiative with the support of top management.

The spokesperson said: “The first destinations survey is merely a snapshot of the percentage of students in graduate level jobs six months after graduation. Many students take much longer before they enter the professional job market.”