A survey of more than 200 major companies has found that 76% of recruiters ask for at least a 2:1 from graduate applicants - up from 52% eight years ago.




Published today in the Guardian:
The survey of more than 200 firms, including Accenture, Deloitte, Marks & Spencer and Rolls-Royce, conducted in May, found an average of 73 candidates chasing each vacancy, up from 30 applicants per job before the economic downturn. Retail is the most competitive sector, with more than 150 applicants for each position.
Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the Association of Graduate Recruiters which commissioned the survey, cites the increased competition for roles as the overriding reason for the 2:1 requirement.

"It's to do with the significant increase in the number of applications that businesses have been receiving. When you're recruiting 100 graduates – and multiply that by 70-odd applications per job – you've got a significant logistical challenge."

"The graduate job market is inextricably linked to business confidence. It is encouraging to see that employers are still talent-planning for the future and that the number of graduate vacancies is remaining constant."