Abbreviation HECSU Founded 1972 | Formation 1972 Parent organizations Universities UK, GuildHE | |
Legal status Non-profit organisation and registered charity Purpose Careers research of graduates in the UK and supporting graduate recruitment via university careers services Location Prospects House, Booth Street, Manchester, M13 9EP Region served UK and Republic of Ireland Headquarters Manchester, United Kingdom Motto Leading research into graduate careers | ||
The Higher Education Careers Service Unit is an independent research charity based in Manchester for the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, specialising in higher education and graduate employment. It funds research projects for the higher education careers sector, and conducts research into graduate employment and career decision-making on behalf of its own members and external funding bodies.
It is a registered charity, formed in 1972, and is an agency of Universities UK and GuildHE (formerly SCOP - Standing Conference of Principals). The commercial part of HECSU, CSU, changed its name to Graduate Prospects in July 2003.
Its most recognisable function is to produce the Prospects series of booklets with information about graduate careers. Graduate Prospects is the commercial arm of HECSU and provides careers information and services to students, graduates, university careers advisory services, employers and others.
The group produces statistical information on the destination of graduates from particular universities and courses.
The research strategy adopted by HECSU has five themes:
NCWE
The NCWE (National Council for Work Experience) is a charitable organisation that promotes, supports and develops quality work experience for the benefit of students, employers and the economy. The main activities of the organisation are to disseminate information and good practice, to encourage and support the development of quality and standards of work experience, and to encourage more employers to provide placement opportunities. The NCWE seeks to work in partnership with organisations that have an interest with work experience issues in order to add practical value to their activities.
The NCWE is part of HECSU and works closely with Graduate Prospects to produce the Prospects Work Experience publication and the group's website.