Students in the UK are missing out on top jobs in Europe because they do not have the skills or the right attitudes, a study suggests.

A survey of 5,000 students across Europe found that British students were less likely than most to speak a foreign language and were more likely to say they would not want to leave their friends to work abroad.

The study was carried out by the education and recruitment group Hobsons.

Researchers canvassed 5,000 students aged from 19 to 29 in 28 different countries.

Language gap

British students were the least likely to say they had the right skills to work abroad - only 36% said they had what it takes.

They were much less confident than their counterparts across the rest of Europe, where 63% said they were equipped to work abroad for their first proper job.

Going some way to explaining the lack of confidence perhaps, almost half of British students said they spoke no second language.

In Germany, Italy and Spain, about nine out of 10 students said they spoke English as a second language.

Only the Irish Republic fared worse than the UK, with 59% saying they had no second language.

Missing you

Chris Letcher, the managing director of Hobsons, said: "Our research shows that UK students do not view the European job market as a serious career option.

"This is worrying in the light of the fact that increasingly companies and universities are looking to recruit students across borders in Europe."

Half of the UK students questioned said they would seriously consider working abroad for their first job, but more than a quarter said they would miss their friends too much.

The Italians and Spanish were least likely to say their friendships would stop them working abroad. Only 4% of Italians said this and 5% of Spanish.

Chris Letcher says British students are holding themselves back: "UK students stand to miss out on tops jobs in Europe if they do not develop a European outlook and adapt their skill sets accordingly."