Record numbers graduated last year
John Walshe
Education Editor
THE number of graduates has more than doubled to 50,000.
A new survey also shows that most are doing well in the job stakes with only 3pc of graduates out of work nine months after graduation.
Best paid are architects with around two-thirds of them starting on salaries of at least 25,000 a year, and some of them earning more than 33,000. More than half of the engineering graduates began on salaries of at least 25,000 a year. More than half the 'working' graduates have jobs on the east coast - mainly in the Dublin area, while only 3pc are working in the northwest and Donegal, with slightly more in the midlands.
Carried out by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), the survey covers the record 48,126 students who graduated in 2004 and was conducted nine months after they qualified. At the time of the survey, 56pc of the graduates had found jobs and another 36pc were engaged in further studies.
Year out
The remainder were either out of work or unavailable for work, including a large number who took a year out before looking for work. The numbers graduating in 2005 were up and this year's are expected to be higher again.
"With participation in higher education at an all-time high of 56pc, these latest data show that demand for higher education remains a very strong feature of the system," said HEA chief executive, Tom Boland.
Starting salaries are generally better for those with higher awards and the survey shows that almost one in five of those graduating now has a postgraduate diploma, master's or doctorate degree. In 2002, 9,337 graduated with postgraduate awards, up from 8,223 in the previous year. This showed Irish students were availing of the improved opportunities to engage in graduate studies and research, as provided by such major investments as the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, the HEA said.
"Sustained improvement in graduate studies is a key requirement for the future health of the Irish economy and continued investment in this vital area will reap lasting results for the country," said Mr Boland.
The numbers graduating continue to increase, despite the drop in the 18-year-old population. This is explained by higher percentages of school leavers staying in the education system, by more mature students, and by more students from overseas.
"We need to ensure that the sector has high-quality facilities to accommodate this rising student population. We also need . . . to provide our economy with the right mix of skills to sustain our development," said Mr Boland.