2013 Press Releases
Good news as UCC graduate employment rates soar
An employment survey of recent UCC graduates reveals good news for both existing and past students, as well as second-level students currently mulling over their CAO choices.
In spring 2012, the UCC graduates of 2011 were surveyed about their employment status by the UCC Careers Service, as part of the National Higher Education Authority ‘First Destinations of Graduates’ Survey.
Key points from the survey include:
- UCC graduate employment rates are now reflective of 2006 rates for both undergraduates and postgraduates.
- Over 50% of undergraduates responded that they went directly into employment and 70% of postgraduates entered employment on graduation. Most of the remaining students continued onto further study.
- 85% of graduates in employment reported that they were working in Ireland (93% in Ireland or the UK).
- 45% of undergraduates reported starting salaries in excess of €25k p.a., with 43% of postgraduates staring on salaries in excess of €29k p.a.
Commenting on the favourable outlook for second-level students in particular considering university when filling out their CAO forms, Seamus McEvoy, Head of Career Services at UCC, says: “These figures reflect the fact that UCC graduates develop the skills and attributes that employers want and demand. We are all aware of how difficult the jobs market is at the moment. It is very reassuring to see UCC graduates competing successfully in that challenging market. This is down to a strong academic curriculum combined with developing students employability skills through the wide range of accredited work placements and internship programmes which are now a core part of most UCC degree programmes. I believe this combination of work experience with a strong academic base gives UCC graduates the edge in the job market."
There continues to be a strong demand for UCC graduates, with over 130 graduate employers from all sectors visiting UCC in the last teaching period of 2012 to recruit UCC graduates of summer 2013.
Further details of the survey results are available at: http://www.ucc.ie/en/careers/staff/
Individual undergraduate programme reports for 2010 and 2011 graduates are available at: http://www.ucc.ie/en/careers/destinations/