Graduate job opportunities 'rising'

Graduates can look forward to more job opportunities over the next year

More jobs will become available for graduates this year, research firm Income Data Services (IDS) has forecast.

IDS said its survey of employers suggested an 8% increase in the number of graduate roles being advertised, after a rise of just 0.1% last year.

The retail sector was the most optimistic, saying it expects to increase graduate recruitment by 30%.

But starting salaries are likely to be frozen, the research found.

More than 70% of employers said they plan to freeze wages for graduates, due to worries about the economy.

Median starting salaries are therefore likely to stay at £25,500 for those taking jobs after university, said IDS.

Those joining the legal profession can expect to start on £36,500, while those joining financial services can expect to earn £29,250.