Learning from and with our alumni
Each year, Maastricht University (UM) invites its alumni to share their experiences and career development. The annual alumni surveys are of great value to us: they show how our graduates fare on the labour market, how they look back on their studies, and where we as a university can continue to improve. At the same time, the surveys provide a wealth of interesting and inspiring insights, which we are pleased to share with you.
A strong start on the labour market
The majority of our alumni quickly find their place on the labour market. As many as 95% of recent graduates are part of the labour force. Five years after graduation this rises to 97%, and after ten years to almost 100%. A considerable share of those not working immediately choose to continue studying: e.g. through post-master’s programmes and short courses offered by the UM Academy for Lifelong Development.
Well-prepared and in the right place
A UM degree generally matches well with labour market needs. Three-quarters of our alumni work in a position at master’s level or higher, and around four out of five are employed in a field related to their study background. This means that graduates not only find good jobs, but also roles that fit their education. Alumni from Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Psychology and Law in particular report a strong match with their field of study.
Career development and income
Another striking finding is the clear growth in alumni income. One-and-a-half years after graduation, UM graduates earn an average gross monthly salary of €3430, which increases to €4500 after five years. In some programmes the figures are even higher: graduates from the School of Business and Economics and the Faculty of Law report median monthly salaries of €5000 five years after graduation.
Alumni both near and far
UM alumni can be found across the globe, yet many also remain closely connected to the region. Almost half of all alumni still live or work within 100 kilometres of Maastricht five years after graduation. Among Health, Medicine and Life Sciences graduates this figure is as high as 60%. Moreover, 32% of students who originally lived outside the region before starting their studies choose to stay here afterwards to work and/or live – a great contribution to the local community.
Looking back on their studies
For the university, perhaps the most important figure is that three-quarters of all alumni would choose the same master’s programme at UM again. In some faculties, such as Law (87%) and Science and Engineering (83%), this figure is even higher. These results show that for many former students, their education at UM has been both valuable and well aligned with their expectations and career paths.
A new round of alumni surveys
This October, a new round of alumni surveys will begin. Once again, a number of master’s graduates will be invited to take part. Your participation is extremely important: your stories and input help us understand how our programmes support career success, and where UM can further strengthen its teaching and student support. The more experiences we gather, the better we can continue to develop – for today’s students, for future generations, and of course for our alumni themselves.
Keep an eye on your inbox, if you receive an invitation, we very much hope you will take part and share your experiences with us.
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