Graduates in the regions can expect a starting salary of £15,000 to £18,000, at odds with recent statistics stating average graduate starting salaries of £25,000 across the UK.

The findings come from Graduates Yorkshire and Graduate Advantage’s ‘The Graduate Employer Survey 2011’. The reason for this difference is because previous research has focused on London, where the job market, cost of living and overall quality of life differs quite significantly.

The research involved surveying small/large/public/private firms and establishing some key facts about the graduate market outside London, helping companies, graduates and universities understand what jobs and what pay is realistic in their local area.

Key findings from the research:

• 90% of respondents were SMEs across varying industries

• 62% have recruited a graduate in the last 12 months

• 66% permanent roles / 20% paid internships

• 56% plan to recruit graduates in the next 12 months

• 74% believe a positive attitude and employability skills are the most important attributes for a graduate

• Only 1.5% believe the degree result is the most important

• 86% pitch a graduate salary between £15,000-£18,000 (this contrasts with other research that has suggested that the average is £25,000, but includes London employers which skews the findings).