Universities excelling, while job market lets down students

Released today, The Good Universities Guide 2018 reveals that universities around the country are providing a high-quality experience for students. On average graduates were predominantly happy across the six key measures of student experience – Learning Resources, Learner Engagement, Student Support, Skills Development, Teaching Quality and Overall Experience.

When it comes to life after university, the employment outcomes are not so positive. The Good Universities Guide reveals that 69.5 per cent of undergraduates were employed full-time within four months of graduation, leaving around 30 per cent of graduates in the employment market without a position. The Guide can also reveal that the average salary for graduates employed full-time is $56,000 – the same post-graduation income vocational graduates achieve, according to figures published by the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research.

There were exceptions at a field of study level, with a general trend of healthcare sectors performing well. Students from rehabilitation, medicine, dentistry and pharmacy reported strong outcomes in the measure of Full-Time Employment, while dentistry, medicine and rehabilitation also surpassed the national average for Starting Salary.

“These outcomes correlate with job outlook predictions. Australia’s aging population will increase the need for qualified professionals in health-related fields, offering a pathway for students that will continue to expand and evolve throughout their career journey.

The Good Universities Guide is produced by Good Education Group, Australia’s leading provider of independent education ratings and information.