There's good news for University of Teesside graduates, according to Government statistics.

Performance indicators released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency reveal that 93 per cent of full-time University of Teesside graduates gaining their first degree in 2003 were either in employment or further study.

This total is up one per cent on the previous year and sets a new benchmark for the university in Middlesbrough.

Bill Greenwood, head of the university's careers service, said: "This is further confirmation that study at Teesside is opening up real opportunities for our graduates."

Laura Smyrell, a BA human resource management graduate from Yarm, is one of the many graduates to celebrate, having beaten 4,500 other candidates to clinch one of 44 places as a management trainee with the Tesco supermarket chain.

She said: "The university's lecturers have a real passion for their subject and a very practical background, which they bring into the lectures.

"You get to understand the whole world of business, including economics and business organisation."