Fewer graduates from the summer of 2007 are in jobs than those who graduated two years before.

That was the picture at the end of November last year when university leavers were quizzed about their work status.

According to figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), there was a rise of one percent in the number of 2005 graduates unemployed three-and-a-half years after leaving university (2.6 percent) compared to those from 2007 (3.6 percent).

The total number working who completed their degree in 2005 was 89.5 percent three-and-a-half years later, compared with 86.1 percent from 2007. The figures suggest the credit crunch and recession made it more difficult for graduates to find a job than previous years, but the vast majority were happy with their progress.

More than four-out-of-five graduates from 2007 said they were happy with their careers and seven out of 10 thought their courses were good value for money. Nearly half had gained a postgraduate qualification, showing their keeness to continue learning, while salaries had also increased. After six months graduates were earning £20,000 on average, but three years later they were up to £25,000.

Despite this, the NUS has warned graduates to be careful how they support themsevles through difficult times. NUS President Liam Burns said: "Times are tough for young people at the moment with rising unemployment no matter how well qualified they are, and through its lack of support the Government risks losing a generation to low skills and high unemployment.

"The postcode lottery of financial support for students risks many turning to expensive commercial debt while they study. If jobs aren't available on graduation, things like overdrafts and commercial loans become incredibly toxic.

"Whilst this difficult jobs market persists the Government should be working to open more training and learning opportunities to young people like they have done with apprenticeships, and urgently commit to put more money in students' pockets."