Sir, Your article (“Students with great job expectations are heading for a reality pay check”, July 21) quotes research that does not accurately reflect the earnings reality for today’s university leavers.

John Jerrim’s assumption that the average graduate starting salary is £16,600 is based on a very small sample of students whereas research published recently by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, which is based on the entire student population, shows that the average starting salary for graduates who entered full-time paid employment in 2006-07 was £19,000.

Having a degree remains one of the best pathways to a rewarding career. Employers prize the highly developed skills and talents that graduates bring to their businesses and are willing to pay accordingly. Individuals’ earning expectations will naturally vary but graduates can expect to earn considerably more over their careers than workers without a degree. The average graduate comfortably earns at least £100,000 net of tax more, in today’s valuation, compared with someone who only has A levels.

Other countries are not having debates where broadening access is questioned constantly. They are getting on and doing it, as we should.

Bill Rammell
Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education

Sir, I am somewhat bewildered frequently to read that graduates are having a tough time finding good jobs.

I am currently trying to recruit graduates and struggling to attract interest in a desirable marketing-related career with a starting salary of £20,000 and excellent prospects. I received only about 70 responses to adverts placed in multiple sources. Most did not have the required level of qualification stated in the advert.

However, out of the dozen or so graduates I approached to progress applications, four have not bothered to call me back at all and most of the remainder don’t want to relocate, despite being aware of the location when applying (Berkshire, by the way, not Timbuktu).

I have successfully employed hundreds of graduates over the past 20 years and been proud to see many of them progress to senior levels in industry through hard work, commitment and desire to succeed. Now I am experiencing either apathy or pickiness.

It’s not just me — according to the recruitment consultancy I am working with, there are plenty of great job opportunities around but not enough graduates of either the right calibre or with the right attitude.

Margaret Drye
Maidenhead, Berks

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