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The jobs market is showing little love to IT graduates as they struggle to find work in the economic downturn.

Some 14% of computer science students had not found a job six months after leaving university last year.

A report from the Higher Education Statistics Agency found that over 16,000 of last year's full-time grads were still out of work, with IT graduates one of the hardest hit groups.

Professor Dame Wendy Hall, one of the world's leading computer scientists, told Sky News Online that over the short-term "a major skills shortage is predicted in the IT industry".

However, for students at good universities with good results, Dame Wendy says jobs can be found.

"At Southampton university, 92% of IT students had a job as they graduated last year and the number is expected to be higher this year," she said.

"Students must check that their course is one that employers want."

The report says the situation is not much better for graduates in other sectors.

Students from history and creative arts courses were the most likely to be out of work.
While students with architecture and building degrees were also jobless, reflecting the troubles in the construction market.

Some 8% of all graduates were unemployed, down from 6% last year, and those who had found work were more likely to be in lower-paid jobs such as bar work or shelf-stacking.

There are fears the figures could be worse for students graduating this year.

A survey of the top 100 graduate employers found that positions had been cut by more than a quarter this year.

"Students are racking up thousands of pounds of debt because of fees, and many will be extremely worried at the lack of job prospects when they leave university," warned Wes Streeting, president of the National Union of Students.

But the Government insists there are benefits to having a degree.

"Employment rates for graduates continue to be higher than those with lower qualifications," said David Lammy, the Higher Education Minister.

The outlook isn't bleak for all students - no medical or dentistry graduates were out of work last year.