The Graduate Outcomes survey is conducted 15 months after you complete your course. You'll be contacted directly by the survey team and asked questions that will look to understand whether you’re in employment, have continued with further study or are doing something else - and to what extent your qualification played a part.
As a recent graduate, your voice is invaluable. Whether you're working, pursuing further studies, or exploring new opportunities, your journey reflects the rich diversity of graduate paths and contributes to shaping the future of UK higher education.
Why your participation matters
By sharing your story, you play a key role in building a brighter, more informed future for the UK’s higher education sector. Your response will help to;
- Empower future graduates: Influence meaningful improvements in higher education
- Support student success: Provide data to help universities guide current and future students effectively
- Boost your university's reputation: Help enhance rankings in influential league tables like The Guardian University Guide
- Drive change: Offer crucial insights into employment trends and educational innovation to benefit policymakers and institutions.
Your responses are confidential but carry profound impact, helping universities, prospective students, and policymakers understand the graduate experience.
How to take part in the Graduate Outcomes survey
All graduates who completed a higher education course in the UK will be asked to take part in the survey 15 months after they finish their studies. It's important that you update your contact details so that you can be reached. This is how it works:
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Receive Your Invitation
About 15 months after graduation, you’ll be contacted by email or text by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), the organisation managing the survey. This timing allows you to reflect on your post-university experiences. -
Choose How to Respond
Complete the survey online using a secure link provided in your invitation. Follow-up reminders and optional telephone interviews ensure you have every opportunity to take part. -
Enjoy Flexibility and Accessibility
The survey is quick—taking just 10 minutes—and can be completed from any device. This makes it easy to share your experiences at a time and place that works for you.
What happens next?
Once you’ve submitted your responses, they’re anonymised and combined with data from thousands of other UK graduates. This collective insight directly impacts:
- University rankings: Informing league tables like The Guardian University Guide
- Policy decisions: Guiding government and institutional strategies to improve education and employment opportunities
- Future student guidance: Helping prospective students make informed choices about courses and careers.
By participating, you not only shape the future but also gain access to these findings, showcasing how graduates like you are influencing higher education and employment trends.
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