Graduate outcomes: August 2021 to July 2022

HESA identified inconsistences with their published data for standard occupation Classification (SOC), Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) and Location of employment. In correcting this error, an issue was corrected with median salary calculations. These inconsistences have been corrected and updated in this publication.

The Graduate Outcomes record includes a survey of graduates approximately 15 months after they complete their studies. This survey is delivered by the Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA). 

The 2021/22 Graduate Outcomes record is in respect of students who completed eligible programmes of study between 1 August 2021 and 31 July 2022 and who actually completed the survey (or the minimum response required).

This headline contains information regarding graduates from providers who are publicly funded or regulated, and submit data to the HESA Student and Student Alternative (HESA) records.

It also includes data for graduates from HE level courses at further education (FE) colleges in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

There were 351,220 graduates who responded to the 2021/22 Graduate Outcomes survey from the target population of 870,295, a rate of 40% complete responses. When including graduates who partially completed the survey, this response rate rises to 44%, increasing the number of usable responses to 381,945. 47% of graduates from providers in Wales and 54% of Welsh domiciled graduates from providers in the UK responded to the Graduate Outcomes survey for 2021/22 (including partial responses).

• 58% of graduates surveyed from Welsh providers were in full-time employment (61% from English providers, 63% from Scottish providers and 63% from Northern Irish providers).
• 11% of graduates surveyed from Welsh providers were in part-time employment, 6% were in full-time further study, less than 1% were in part-time further study and 5% were unemployed.

• 60% of Welsh domiciled graduates surveyed were in full-time employment (61% of English domiciles, 64% of Scottish domiciles and 64% of Northern Irish domiciles).
• 12% of Welsh domiciled graduates surveyed were in part-time employment, 5% were in full-time further study, less than 1% were in part-time further study and 4% were unemployed.
• 51% of Welsh domiciled full-time undergraduates surveyed from the most deprived areas of Wales (WIMD quintile 1) were in full-time employment, while 56% from the least deprived areas (WIMD quintile 5) were in full-time employment.

The following data is taken from respondents who indicated that work was their most important activity.

Main points

• Of those Welsh domiciled respondents working in the UK, 72% were working in Wales, 27% were working in England, 1% were working in Scotland, and less than 1% were working in Northern Ireland.
• Of those Welsh domiciled respondents who left Wales to study, 43% returned to work in Wales, whereas 57% did not return.
• Of those Welsh domiciled respondents who stayed in Wales to study, 89%(r) stayed in Wales to work, while 11%(r) left to work outside Wales.
• Of those non-Welsh domiciled respondents who studied in Wales, 21% stayed in Wales to work and 79% left Wales to work.

(r) Revised on 11 July 2024

The following data is taken from respondents who indicated that work was their most important activity.

Main points

• The median salary of respondents from Welsh providers was £26,990 (£28,000(r) from English providers, £27,999 from Scottish providers and £25,975 from Northern Irish providers).

(r) Revised on 11 July 2024

Statistician: Sedeek Ameer
Email: highereducationandstudentfinance.stats@gov.wales

Media: 0300 025 8099