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* Graduates' job prospects are looking up slightly, the Higher Education Statistics Agency said.

Its figures show that 63 per cent of former higher education students went straight into work in 1997-98, compared with 62 per cent the previous year. A further 19 per cent continued their education or training, a similar proportion to 1996-97.

The findings are supported by a recent survey from the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services Statistics sub-committee. It found a rise of up to 10 per cent in graduate vacancies, particularly in IT, science and engineering, marketing and sales and small firms.