Getting a job is becoming a harder nut to crack as around 80 per cent of UK employers have started asking for at least a 2:1 degree as a minimum condition for a graduate job, a survey carried out by the Association of Graduate Recruiters claims.

According to the bi-annual survey, 6.8 per cent of employers are demanding for graduates from specific universities as compared with 2.5 per cent last year, while the number of employers asking for graduates with relevant work experience doubled from 15.2 per cent last year to settle at around 33 per cent this year.

The survey also showed that two-thirds of employers are now demanding applicants to show certain competencies.

Employers are burdening applicants with stricter recruitment conditions as the number of graduate jobs dropped 7 per cent this year.

Commenting on the topic, AGR chief executive Carl Gilleard said, “Recruiters are under intense pressure this year dealing with a huge number of applications from graduates for a diminishing pool of jobs.”

Salaries are also frozen this year as new graduates are getting £25,000 on average, the same as in 2008.

Students graduated in the two year, but failed to find work due to recession are also competing for the jobs this year.