Graduate Outcomes Survey

What is the Graduate Outcomes survey?

The Graduate Outcomes survey is the UK’s biggest annual national survey which gathers information about the activities and viewpoints of graduates 15 months after they’ve finished their studies.   

All graduates will be asked to take part in the survey, to help current and future students gain an insight into career destinations and development. Your anonymised responses will also help University of Derby to evaluate and promote our courses. 

Why should I complete the survey?

It will help future students make informed decisions, as the anonymised data is used for websites such as Discover Uni. It allows you to have your say about what graduate success means to you.

Graduate Outcomes is of national significance, as it allows policy makers, charities, journalists, researchers and others to understand the higher education sector and the state of the graduate labour market. 

How will I be surveyed?

The Graduate Outcomes survey is delivered by HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency) on behalf of all higher education providers. You can complete the survey on most devices, and it only takes around 10 minutes. 

You’ll be contacted by either: 

Are your contact details up to date?

The University of Derby will supply the contact details they hold for you to HESA for the sole purpose of conducting the Graduate Outcomes survey. 

We are therefore required to hold accurate contact details for you including a personal email address, at least one telephone number and a postal address.   

If your contact details have changed, please let us know to ensure your graduate voice is heard.  You can update your details by filling in this form or by emailing us at GraduateOutcomes@derby.ac.uk 

When will I be contacted?

You will be contacted to complete the Graduate Outcomes survey approximately 15 months after you complete your course (as shown in the table below).

End date of course Survey invitation Survey period
August - October December December - February
November - January March March - May
February - April June June - August
May - July September September - November

How will my responses be used?

All responses will be anonymised; full details on how your data will be processed including who will receive it and how it will be used can be found here:  Graduate Outcomes Privacy Information 

You can view some of the sector-wide statistics on HESA’s Graduate Outcomes Survey Results webpage.

What next?

Don’t forget about our three-year promise to you! For three years after you graduate you have full access to the University’s Careers and Employment Service.

Visit the Careers and Employment Service website and register as a graduate to access the support available. 

Still have questions?

If you have any questions or queries regarding the Graduate Outcomes survey please don't hesitate to contact the Graduate Outcomes Team at graduateoutcomes@derby.ac.uk

For information specific to the survey including the kind of questions you may be asked, please visit the official Graduate Outcomes website.

Graduate Outcomes video

View Video video transcript