Graduate study: Academics like to stay in Saxony for jobs

This year's study comes to the conclusion that an overwhelming majority of young graduates from Saxony - over 80 percent - start their professional careers in the Free State after completing their studies, which were rated extremely positively. However, a large number of graduates who come to Saxony from other regions to study also remain in Saxony for a job. The long-term study thus confirms that the local universities are training the skilled workers that Saxony urgently needs.

Starting a career after successfully graduating from university and, above all, establishing oneself professionally is a protracted process. In order to adequately record career progression and success, studies are needed that survey university graduates at a greater distance from graduation and, if possible, several times. This is what the Saxon Graduate Study does, which was conducted for the fourth time in 2023 after 2009, 2013 and 2018. According to the research design of this study, two current examination years are surveyed for the first time on career entry and career paths. At the same time, two follow-up surveys are conducted with the alumni who were included for the first time five and ten years ago. Due to the high response rate, the study is very informative.

Key findings of the study:

• Quality of studies is rated extremely positively: The respondents rated the organization of studies, teaching, examination organization, spatial and technical facilities and social climate even higher than the previous cohorts. As in the last survey, the organization of studies and examinations was rated best. The positive assessments have also increased significantly for the range of courses and facilities. Only in terms of teaching competence and support from lecturers did the increase not continue in the current survey.
• Study decision suits most: The proportion of those who would study again is very high: 94% (2019/20 cohort). Over 56% state that they would make an identical study decision again today, i.e. they would choose the same university - and therefore the same type of university - and the same subject again. Broken down by subject group, the figures are highest in the teaching profession and engineering sciences at just over 60 percent.
• Successful career entry: The employment rate rises quickly to a high level after graduation and then continues to grow. Among alumni with Master's, diploma and state examination degrees (excluding teacher training, where the preparatory service plays a role), the employment rate in the 2019/20 examination cohort is 47% immediately after graduation and 84% after 36 months.
• Over 60 percent of students remain in Saxony for their first job. This figure has increased over the years. Across the four cohorts surveyed, more and more graduates have taken up their first job in Saxony. In the 2006/07 cohort, it was 56% and in the 2019/20 cohort 61%.
• Skilled workers for Saxony: Over 80 percent of graduates from Saxony start their working life in the Free State. Compared to the two previous studies, this proportion has increased. However, the so-called "sticking effect" of studying should not be underestimated either: 44% of those who first came to Saxony to study start their working life here.