GRADUATES of Scottish universities are entering professional jobs more quickly and earning higher starting salaries than graduates in the rest of the UK, new figures show.

A report by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa) shows 90% of Scottish university graduates go into either employment, further study or a combination of the two, higher than their counterparts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The figures also show the average salary for first degree graduates in full-time employment in Scotland was £21,000, compared to £20,000 from English universities, £19,000 for qualifiers from Welsh universities and £20,000 for qualifiers from Northern Irish universities.

Alastair Sim, director of Universities Scotland, which represents university principals, said the results reflected the "immense work" institutions did to ensure employability of students.

"The figures show yet again that Scotland's graduates are the best in the UK," he said.

"Not only do they outperform the UK for positive destinations, have the lowest unemployment rate and command higher starting salaries, but in terms of professional employment, graduates from Scottish Universities rate higher than the rest of the UK."

Education Secretary Michael Russell said the figures showed the advantages of a Scottish degree.

"As these figures show, our universities are leading the way, with graduates more likely to go on to further study or employment, to have a higher starting salary and to be in a professional occupation than graduates from other parts of the UK," he said.

And Robin Parker, president of NUS Scotland, which represents students, said the figures showed the "huge value" in getting a degree in difficult economic times.

"It's not the case that there are too many graduates, but it can't be ignored that, across all of the UK, the figures have essentially flat-lined from last year," he said. "Graduate unemployment of any level represents a huge waste of talent, and a huge loss for Scotland.

"However, university graduates are still in a better position to find one of the few jobs available than those who never had the opportunity to make it to university. That's why it's so important universities do all they can to make access to higher education fairer."

The figures also showed some 16% of Scottish university leavers went into further study, compared to 13% for English universities, 15% in Wales and 10% for Northern Ireland.

Six per cent of Scottish university leavers were unemployed six months after graduating, compared to 7% from English and Welsh universities and 8% in Northern Ireland.