Number of graduates emigrating doubles despite improving economy

The number of graduates emigrating for work after getting their degrees has doubled in just four years.

Although graduate employment rates are improving strongly, one in 10 who got a level 8 (honours bachelor) degree last year was working overseas by March. The figure revealed in the latest report on what students do after graduation compares to a 5% figure in 2008.

But the Higher Education Authority (HEA) statistics, based on university graduates only, paint a brighter picture for those with higher qualifications. While 11% of those who graduated last year with a master’s or PhD degree (level 9 or 10) were working overseas, it is a fall from 13% of 2011’s graduates in that position.

“As the economy is starting to improve very slowly, it’s benefiting postgraduate students more,” said Vivienne Patterson of HEA’s statistics section. “Graduates with a level 8 degree who went overseas to work may have more chance of getting jobs more specific to their qualification.”

This is borne out by working graduates’ views of how well their jobs are linked to their degree, with level 8 degree-holders working overseas far more likely than those with jobs in Ireland to say it was relevant — 77% compared to 69%. Job relevance ranged from about 90% for health and computer science graduates to just 31% with work after an arts degree.

The overall figures show improvements in employment levels compared to earlier groups — up from 45% for the class of 2009 to 52%, and from 63% top 72% among higher-qualified graduates. Women were slightly more likely to get work after obtaining a level 8 degree but the trend is reversed for those with a master’s or PhD.

Although over one third with a level 8 degree go on to further studies or training, the number has fallen from 44% in three years, which may be partly due to less funding and cuts to postgraduate grants.

Most primary degree holders with work were earning less than €25,000, although more than 40% earned €25,000 to €45,000, a pay band that most PhD and master’s graduates fell into. However, research master’s graduates appear to command a considerable salary premium, as one in five have an annual salary of over €45,000 nine months after graduation.

More than 15,500 of last year’s 23,000 graduates responded to surveys by university careers offices nine months later, and the results form the HEA study’s basis. Almost half of arts degree holders went back to college, compared to just one in eight with a university education degree, which does not include primary teaching qualifications.

Education and health graduates have the highest employment rates, but next highest were the three quarters of computer science graduates in jobs — 90% of them working in Ireland — which rises to 82% of those with a master’s or PhD in the same category.

“The recent focus on expanding higher education capacity to produce computer science graduates is well-founded on the basis of the very strong employment outcomes,” said HEA chief executive Tom Boland.

However, only 44% of level 8 science and maths graduates got jobs within nine months, a figure the HEA said will require further analysis.