UNIVERSITY students are more prepared these days to move to other parts of Spain or even abroad to find work when they graduate – and some actively wish to do so, a recent survey has revealed.

A quarter of those interviewed, who are due to start university this autumn, said they intended to go to another country to find employment when they finish their studies, which will normally be between four and six years from now.

Only four per cent chose their university because it was the nearest to their home, and 41 per cent said they would prefer to work for a firm in the private sector, compared to 26 per cent who would opt for the public sector and the same figure who hope to start their own business.

This marks a complete about-turn and bucks the long-standing trend of students who automatically apply to their nearest college and travel home to their parents' house at weekends, and then seek work in the civil service in their home town or in the family business once they finish their studies.

Now, 26 per cent say they are not bothered whether they work in their home province or have to move elsewhere, provided they find a job, and 22 per cent say they would work anywhere in the country or the world.

Although 43 per cent said they were aiming to pursue a career relevant to their studies, whilst 36 per cent said they did not care as long as they found a job.