A bimonthly publication of AQU Catalunya

53

March 2011

The fourth AQU study of the labour market outcomes of graduates from Catalan universities is being carried out during 2011. All of the Catalan universities are participating in this year's study, which will be the most extensive analysis of this type ever carried out in the European Union. A population of 27,331 graduates in 2008 will be analysed, using a sample of 15,333 people. 

AQU is also carrying out the second study on the employment outcomes of students who graduated in 2006-2007 and those awarded a PhD on 2006 and 2007, as well as a new study relating to gender on graduates from ten years ago to establish any possible gender-based differences.

The purpose of the fourth study on the labour market outcomes of graduates and PhD holders from the higher education system in Catalonia is not just to obtain data on graduate employment, but to also gather information on the quality of their studies and their satisfaction, according to each degree programme and university.

The fourth study on graduate labour market outcomes is based on three surveys:

• Graduates 2006-2007. This will analyse the quality of the labour market outcomes of those students who graduated in the 2006-2007 academic year, and their impressions, three years afterwards, of their studies.
• PhDs 2006 and 2007. This will analyse the quality of the labour market outcomes of doctorate degree holders who read their thesis between 2005 and 2007, and their impressions, three years afterwards, of their studies.
• Gender monitoring 2001. This will analyse whether there are any gender-based differences or inequalities among graduates in the process of obtaining employment ten years after completing their studies. 

The surveys, which will be carried out by telephone, have just begun and will be completed in March. The analysis of the data given in the completed questionnaires will be carried out by the Agency.  

AQU Catalunya has been carrying out a survey of the labour market outcomes of graduates from Catalan universities once every three years since 2001.