Nearly half got a job before graduating
And 9 out of 10 former students were able to find a job within a year, according to the latest Candidate Survey from UiA.
Around half of former UiA students report that they had secured a job before completing their studies - an increase of 4 per cent from 2019. 77 per cent were employed within three months of completing their degree. And within a year, 9 out of 10 had found a job.
These are findings from the latest Candidate Survey where 8,350 former UiA students answered questions about how satisfied they are with their education, the perceived relevance of their education and the labour market situation.
“We have an important social responsibility to deliver graduates who meet the needs of employers. It is gratifying to see the positive responses. The survey also helps us identify where to make improvements,” says Gøril Hannås, vice rector for external relations and innovation at UiA.
Satisfied with their education
85 per cent of UiA graduates state that they would recommend UiA and their student town to others. Roughly an equal number answer that they are satisfied with their education, and 70 per cent would recommend their study programme to others. The previous survey showed similar findings.
Collaboration between students and the job market during the course of their studies is an important initiative for UiA, and cooperation regarding assignments and placements has increased in recent years.
82 per cent of the respondents report that they had contact with the job market during their studies. 1 in 10 got a job as a result.
“They report that such contact is very valuable. In the long run, we hope that more of our students will get employment opportunities in this way,” says Hannås.
This is the Candidate Survey:
- Conducted by the University of Agder (UiA) every three years and targets former students
- Surveys whether the students have found a relevant job, if they got to use their skills and expertise and are satisfied with their education
- The survey looks at the need for career development and skills upgrade, and gathers input on how UiA can improve
- This year’s survey was sent out in the autumn of 2022 to all students who graduated with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in 2019-2022. An additional survey was sent to candidates who completed their education between 2009-2019.
- A total of 8,350 former students responded to the survey.
More are staying in the region - and more would consider staying
The number of former UiA students who live and work in Agder today, compared to the number who lived in the region before they started studying, has had a net increase of 14 per cent in recent years - compared to 8 per cent in 2019.
There are various reasons why some former students move from Agder after their studies. Most state that this was the plan even before they started studying, and many want to live closer to their family and network.
“However, the answers show that more of our students would actually like to stay in Agder but view the job market as poor or see that there are better career opportunities elsewhere. The region has an important responsibility to make it more attractive to stay,” says Gøril Hannås, vice rector for external relations and innovation at UiA.
Among those who are open to moving, almost half of them say that they would prefer to work in Agder in the long term.
Excerpt from the 2022 Candidate Survey.
Strong need for future-oriented skills
Compared to previous surveys, the proportion of unemployed (4 per cent) and the proportion working involuntarily part-time (7 per cent) are historically low. However, 76 per cent report that they feel they have a relevant job – compared to 87 per cent in 2019.
“In a time characterised by major changes, we must continuously work to make our study programmes relevant to the job market. The survey also shows that there is a demand for future-oriented continuing education, something we are strongly committed to and will continue to invest in,” says Hannås.