Women earn less than men straight out of university Figures reveal gender pay gap for city graduates on same courses
RECENT female graduates from Birmingham’s universities are earning thousands of pounds less than their male counterparts – even when they have studied the same subject at the same institution.
The gender pay gap is often explained away by women taking time off work to have children, or a simple matter of men being more likely to work in high-paid professions.
However, analysis of government figures has revealed many young women are already earning less than young men in their first jobs out of university – even when they’ve got the same degree.
Women who graduated in English Studies from the University of Birmingham in 2013/14 were earning an average annual salary of £17,300 one year after having finished their course.
At the same time, male graduates were typically earning £19,100.
Men who had recently graduated in business and administrative studies from the university were earning £1,600 a year more than women on average, and those who had studied historical and philosophical studies were on £1,500 more.
It is not only graduates from the University of Birmingham who see this discrepancy – men who studied subjects allied to medicine (excluding nursing) at the Birmingham City University were earning £4,800 more a year than their female counterparts.
Men who had an engineering and technology degree from Aston University were earning £7,900 more annually than the women on their course, just one year after graduation.
Meanwhile, men who had studied social studies (excluding economics) at the Newman University were earning £7,400 a year more than women on average. In rare cases women find themselves earning more than men after having studied subjects that are usually male-dominated. Recent female graduates from Birmingham University who had studied subjects allied to medicine were earning £1,200 more a year than the men on their course. Female mass communications and documentation graduates from Birmingham City University were earning £600 more than men a year, while those who had graduated from historical and philosophical studies from Newman University, in Bartley Green, were on £700 more. However, in two thirds of courses where data was available, men who finished their higher education in Birmingham were earning more than women who had done the same degree.
The situation in Birmingham’s universities reflected the situation seen across England as a whole.
Nationally, female graduates are earning £1,600 less a year than their male counterparts, just one year after graduation.
A spokesperson from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: “While our research shows pay gaps for graduates are smaller than non-graduates, it’s concerning that women still earn less than men at the start of their career.
“Reducing the gender pay gap goes right back to the subjects girls and boys choose at school. Many girls are interested in science, technology, engineering and maths subjects, but don’t study them at university.
“This means women remain underrepresented in a range of sectors, and existing policies and practices remain unchallenged.
“Girls and boys must be encouraged to consider the widest possible choice of subjects, apprenticeships and career options, to help change our workplace cultures and ensure that everyone has a working environment that allows them to achieve their full potential.”
Reducing the gender pay gap goes right back to the subjects girls and boys choose at school Equality and Human Rights Commission