Graduate outcomes: August 2020 to July 2021

The Graduate Outcomes record includes a survey of graduates approximately 15 months after they complete their studies. This survey is delivered by the Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA). The largest Graduate Outcomes cohort for 2020/21 began to finish their qualifications in May 2021, when COVID-19 restrictions were being gradually phased out. An insight briefing (HESA) provides further detail on analysis undertaken to explore the impact of the pandemic, and the conclusions identified.

The reporting period is from 01 August in year 1 to 31 July in year 2. This means the 2020/21 Graduate Outcomes Survey Results record is in respect of students who completed eligible programmes of study between 01 August 2020 and 31 July 2021 and who actually completed the survey (or the minimum response required).

The data included in this headline is collected from graduates from UK publicly funded higher education (HE) institutions, and graduates from privately funded student alternative providers for whom student data is submitted to HESA. It also includes data for graduates from HE level courses at further education (FE) colleges in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

There were 355,050 UK graduates who responded to the 2020/21 Graduate Outcomes survey from the target population of 826,610, a rate of 43% complete responses. When including graduates who partially completed the survey, this response rate rises to 46%, increasing the number of usable responses to 383,575. 49% of graduates from providers in Wales and 55% of Welsh domiciled graduates from providers in the UK responded to the Graduate Outcomes survey for 2020/21 (including partial responses).

Graduates with an undergraduate degree from Welsh Higher Education Providers

• The majority (7,265 or 54%) of graduates surveyed were in full-time employment. 1,475 (11%) were in part-time employment. 1,320 (10%) were in full-time further study and 70 (1%) were in part-time further study.
• 710 (5%) of graduates were unemployed.
• Welsh providers had a lower percentage of graduates surveyed in full-time employment than all other UK providers (54% from Welsh providers compared to 57% from English providers, 59% from Scottish providers and 61% from Northern Irish providers).
• Welsh providers had a higher percentage of graduates surveyed in full-time further study compared to all other UK providers (10% from Welsh providers compared to 8% from English providers, 9% from Scottish providers and 7% from Northern Irish providers).

Graduates with a postgraduate degree from Welsh Higher Education Providers

• The majority (3,720 or 64%) of graduates surveyed were in full-time employment and 680 (12%) were in part-time employment. 280 (5%) of graduates surveyed were in full-time further study and 35 (1%) were in part-time further study.
• Welsh providers had a lower percentage of graduates surveyed in full-time employment than other UK providers (64% from Welsh providers compared to 68% from English providers, 67% from Scottish providers and 69% from Northern Irish providers).
• Welsh providers had a slightly higher percentage of graduates surveyed in part-time employment than other UK providers (12% from Welsh providers compared to 9% from English providers, 10% from Scottish providers and 10% from Northern Irish providers).
• 235 (4%) of graduates were unemployed.

Salaries of graduates from Welsh higher education providers who obtained first degree qualifications and entered full-time paid employment

• The median salary for graduates surveyed from Welsh providers was £25,000, the same as graduates surveyed from Northern Irish providers. The median salary for graduates from English and Scottish providers was slightly higher at £26,000.
• Graduates from medicine and dentistry subjects reported the highest median salaries at £34,000.

Welsh domiciled graduates

• 6,100 (56%) of undergraduates surveyed were in full-time employment and 1,300 (12%) were in part-time employment. 905 (8%) of undergraduates surveyed were in full-time study and 60 (1%) were in part-time further study. 475 (4%) were unemployed.
• 3,030 (68%) of postgraduates surveyed were in full-time employment and 470 (11%) were in part-time employment. 135 (3%) of postgraduates surveyed were in full-time further study and 15 (less than 1%) were in part-time further study. 130 (3%) were unemployed.
• 53% of full-time undergraduates from the most deprived areas of Wales (WIMD Quintile 1) were in full-time employment, while 59% from the least deprived areas (WIMD Quintile 5) were in full-time employment.