The second cycle of the National Graduate Tracking Survey was addressed to graduates of the academic years 2017-18 and 2021-22. The data collection took place during January and June 2024 through an online questionnaire which was administered in two languages, Greek and English. The questionnaire included questions in six thematic areas: “Education History”, “Transition to Employment”, “Employment”, “Skills/Competencies”, “Upskilling and Reskilling in Employment” and “Regional Mobility”. It is noted that, an additional section collected data on personal and social background. Various question types were included in the questionnaire, but also several standardized lists and taxonomies to enhance the quality and comparability of the gathered data.
The total target population for the National Graduate Tracking survey for 2023 comprised of 26.158 graduates, out of which 10.798 were 2017-18 graduates (i.e., five years after graduation-T+5) and 15.360 were 2021-22 graduates (one year after graduation-T+1). During the Invitation and Reminders phases, 3.950 graduates were unreachable, therefore the net population decreased to 22.208. A total of 2.251 graduates responded to the questionnaire. Based on our definition for valid cases (as defined in the first cycle), the total number of respondents was 2.156, 829 for T+5 (2017-18) and 1.327 for T+1 (2021-22).
The selection criteria for participants in the National Graduate Tracking survey for 2023 were the following:
- Graduates of academic years 2017-18 and 2021-22 from all Higher Education Institutions in Cyprus, both private and public universities and institutions.
- Graduates holding degrees corresponding to ISCED 2011/ NQF levels 5, 6, and 7 and 8. It is noted that, in the second cycle, doctoral students (level 8) participated for the first time.
- Graduates of all nationalities, irrespective of their location prior to their education (e.g., school or first degree) and their current or permanent location after graduation (the survey sample includes graduates of Cyprus Higher Education, whether they reside within or outside Cyprus).
- Graduates of all enrolment statuses (e.g., full-time, part-time, distance learning).
The total population of Cyprus Higher Education graduates for the academic years 2017-18 and 2021-22 comes from 46 and 52 public and private Higher Education Institutions respectively. Namely, the Cyprus Higher Education Institutions whose graduates formed the surveys’ population are:
It is also noted that, the EUROGRADUATE survey excluded graduates who studied in institutions where students are employed and which are run by an employer, such as military or police universities/colleges, or corporate universities. An example of this is the Cyprus Police Academy, where graduates are employed after passing the relevant examination to enter the Academy and after the successful completion of their studies in the Police Academy. It is important to note that the Cyprus Police Academy was not excluded from the National Graduate Tracking Survey however, their data were included and presented only in some sections of the report.