The number of language graduates produced by Scotland's universities and colleges increased by more than a third last year, according to figures issued today.

Subjects including architecture, education and business also saw significant increases as part of the largest ever crop of graduates.

And official statistics show that of those who found work in the UK, 34% found jobs in health, social or community work.

A further 47% found work in the finance and business services sector.

Today's figures from the Scottish Government show 74,515 youngsters successfully completed a higher education course in Scotland, more than 4,600 up on the previous year.

Of these, 40% gained a first degree, 37% a sub-degree qualification, and 23% a postgraduate qualification.

There was a total of 2,125 language graduates, up 38% on the previous year.

Architecture, 18%, education, 15%, and business, finance and administration, 12%, also saw a jump in numbers.

But engineering, technology and in particular agriculture, down 10%, and humanities, a 14% decrease, saw a a drop in graduates.

Six months after graduation, 57% had found permanent or temporary jobs within the UK, while a further 29% continued in study or training.

Three per cent found work overseas, and unemployment among graduates remained at a stable 5%.

Among postgraduates, 47% found permanent jobs within six months in finance and business services.

And 91% of graduates of Scottish origin who gained their degree north of the border, who found permanent work, did so in Scotland, the figures said.

That compares with 41% of graduates from the rest of the UK who came to Scotland to study.

Graduates from Scottish medical schools were the most likely to stay, with 90% working in Scotland after graduation.

Veterinary students were the least likely to stay, with only 30% working in Scotland.