PhD Employment Outcomes 2026
We present the seventh edition of the employment outcomes study of PhD graduates from the Catalan university system, prepared by AQU Catalunya and promoted by the Catalan public universities through their social councils, private universities and the Department of Education. The study provides periodic and representative data on the professional trajectories of PhD graduates three years after obtaining their degree, offering robust evidence in an international context where information is often limited.
Based on the participation of 3,200 PhD graduates (64% of the reference population), the report analyses where they work, which competences they acquire, what opportunities they have inside and outside academia, and what their working conditions and satisfaction levels are. This edition also incorporates new data on the usefulness of competences and mental health during doctoral studies.
Analysis and results
Report
Employment outcomes of PhD graduates from Catalan universities (July 2026)
Webinar presenting the study
Indicators
EUC Dades website. Survey results compared by institutions offering the programme.
What are the employment outcomes of PhD graduates from Catalan universities?
Technical characteristics
Fieldwork: November-December 2025 in the online phase and January-February 2026 in the telephone phase.
Participating universities: UB, UAB, UPC, UPF, UdG, UdL, URV, URL, UOC, UVic-UCC, UIC, UAO CEU.
Reference population and sample: The reference population consists of 5,048 graduates and the sample of 3,200. The cohorts analysed correspond to the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 academic years.
Data protection policy:
See the information on the origin and use of personal data from AQU Catalunya's employment outcomes survey