In short, yes it does. This is suggested by the data provided by the Department of Education (DfE).
The data shows that women on average will earn £18,300 in their first year after graduation whilst men on average are likely to earn £19,900. The difference of £1,600 only increases over time. Women on average will earn £24,500 three years after graduating whilst men will earn £27,800, the difference has then increased to £3,300. These figures are from the latest DfE statistics which cover the financial year, 2015-16. The data is from groups of students at different points after they have graduated.
According to the stats, women are more likely to be in employment within a year of graduation, with 87.6% of females in employment. Whilst only 84.6% of men were in employment within a year after graduation.
The law states UK companies with 250 or more staff must publish their gender pay gap, and many employers, including the BBC, have been criticised for the disparities revealed.
Why is there a gap?
The debate of the graduate pay gap stems from employers paying women less and women choosing a lower paid careers. The job market plays a massive role as different sectors have have different proportions of male and female employees, for example in the voluntary sector there are more female employees than male ones. The question remains whether universities fail to prepare women to enter well - paid graduate roles.