Participating universities all report high employment rates for graduates
Nearly nine in 10 fresh graduates in Singapore found employment within six months after completing their final examinations in 2023, according to the latest Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey.
From the 10,900 respondents in the survey, 89.6% said they were hired within six months after their final examinations, lower than the 93.8% recorded a year ago.
Among them, 84.1% were in full-time permanent employment, while 1.5% were freelancing.
Four per cent of the respondents were also under part-time or temporary employment, including 2.9% who were in it voluntarily and 1.1% who said it was involuntary.
There were 10.4% of the respondents who said they were unemployed when the survey was carried out, including 3.6% who said they weren't working but are about to start soon or about to launch a business ventured.
The median gross monthly salary for employees under full-time permanent employment was also higher in 2023 at $4,313, up from the $4,200 a year ago.
The findings come as getting high income remains on top of graduates' wish list for their future employers, with flexible work also a strong factor.
Universities highlight ‘essential skills’ of grads
The universities that participated in the survey include the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU), and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS).
SMU said 92.3% of its fresh graduates in 2023 were able to find work within six months. They were also offered a median gross monthly salary of $4,500.
Timothy Clark, SMU Provost, said they are delighted by the continued high demand for SMU graduates.
"This underscores the value employers place in our comprehensive and interdisciplinary educational approach, alongside a co-curricular programme which fosters values and essential skills critical in the professional arena," Clark said in a statement.
Close to nine in 10 graduates from NTU were also employed within six months after their final exams, with their median gross monthly salary reaching $4,250.
Among NUS graduates, 90.5% were employed within six months after their final exams, while their median gross salaries were up at $4,400 in 2023.
Close to nine in 10 graduates of SUSS were also hired within six months, with their median gross monthly salaries reaching $3,700.
