Strong employment outcomes for Sydney graduates, survey finds
The University of Sydney has performed strongly in the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, produced by the Australian Department of Education and Training.
The survey, undertaken by the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching survey program, found 81 percent of University of Sydney undergraduates found full-time work immediately after graduating.
This is the third highest rate amongst Australian universities and is almost eight points higher than the national university average, which sits at 73.3 percent.
Charles Sturt University and Charles Darwin University were the only two universities with higher undergraduate full-time employments rates, coming in at first and second respectively.
“It is always pleasing to see our students excel upon graduating and today’s results are a testament to our world-class teaching, facilities and to the students themselves,” said Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence.
Dr Spence pointed to the University’s reimagined undergraduate curriculum that sees students take on real-world industry, community, research and entrepreneurship projects with over 30 leading businesses, government and community organisations.
“Our new Sydney Undergraduate Experience will continue to prepare students for a future of work that is constantly evolving, ensuring they remain in-demand both in Australia and abroad.”
The survey also found 89 percent of University of Sydney undergraduates were employed in any form of work following graduation, above the national average of 87.2 percent for all Australian universities.
For postgraduates the news was just as positive, with 89.3 percent of University of Sydney postgraduate course work students finding full-time work immediately after graduating and 92.3 percent employed overall.
For postgraduate research students, 81.8 percent were in full-time employment, slightly above the all university average of 80 percent.
The results follow the 2019 QS Graduate Employability Rankings announced in September last year, which saw the University named number one in Australia and fifth in the world for graduate employability.
About the Graduate Outcomes Survey
The 2018 Graduate Outcomes Survey is primarily conducted as a national online survey among 102 higher education institutions including all Australian universities and other Non-University Higher Education Institutions.
The survey authors do take care to highlight that factors such as course offerings, the composition of the student population and variations in state/territory and regional labour markets may impact on employment and salary outcomes.
Key national findings:
- 72.9 percent of undergraduates were in full-time employment four months after completing their degree, up from 71.8 percent in 2017 and 70.9 per cent in 2016
- 86.9 percent up of postgraduate coursework graduates were in full-time employment, a slight improved from 86.1 percent in 2017 and 85.1 percent in 2016
- 82.3 percent of post-graduate research were in full time employment, an increase from 80.4 per cent in 2017 and 80.1 in 2016
