What is the Graduate Outcomes Survey?
The Graduate Outcomes Survey is the largest annual social survey in the UK. Its goal is to understand what graduates are doing after they leave university, and how the university and their course may have played a role.
Why participate?
The results could:
- enhance the reputation of your degree
- impact your university league table ranking
The results will also have national impact, by:
- influencing higher education policy across government
- informing journalists, charities and researchers
- telling prospective students what to expect after graduation
We also want to understand the graduate journey better, including both traditional and non-traditional routes that are taken following graduation.
As a student/graduate, what do I need to do and when will I be contacted?
Wait for an email containing a link to the survey.
It will be sent approximately 15 months after you leave us – whether you completed an undergraduate, postgraduate or other higher education course.
For example, if you completed your course in May – July 2024, you would be contacted in September – November 2025.
The survey link will be sent by [email protected]
You will receive your survey 15 months after completing your qualification, as shown in this table:
| Course completion | When you’ll receive your survey |
|---|---|
| August – October | December – February the following year |
| November – January | March – May the following year |
| February – April | June – August the following year |
| May – July | September – November the following year |
The email will be sent by the Higher Education Standards Agency (HESA), the government-appointed Designated Data Body for higher education in England. The survey will only take 10 minutes to complete and you don’t have to do it all in one go.
If HESA doesn’t hear from you, you will receive a call from the research agency IFF Research, where an operator will help you complete the survey over the phone.
Whether you’re a student or a graduate, it’s really important you make sure your contact details are up to date so that HESA can contact you. If you think your contact details might be out of date, please email:
HESA will provide detailed information on how your data will be processed, which is informed by GDPR regulation.
If you have any queries about how your data will be used please contact [email protected].
What will the questions be about?
The survey is looking to understand what you have been up to since you graduated. You will be asked to select from a list of activities and then choose which is your most important activity – whether paid or unpaid.
You may be employed full time and building a career.
Alternatively, you may be working towards long-term career goals, developing a portfolio, freelancing, volunteering, or looking for work. Consider providing a ‘job title’ for this activity, so that the activity can be properly measured. For example, if you are taking on graphic design assignments on an ad-hoc basis, your job title could be ‘Freelance Graphic Designer’.
It is important to remember there are no ‘wrong’ answers! Employment isn’t the only successful outcome: we want to know what you do, and really understand what you see as fulfilling.
Careers Support for Graduates
You can keep accessing our Careers services, support and resources for a further 3 years after graduation.
This includes:
- Individual careers advice and guidance with an experienced Careers Consultant
- Advice on applications and interview coaching
- Access to our online job vacancy listing
- Access to online careers workshops and events
- Access to online careers resources and information
The Westminster Enterprise Network (WeNetwork) also supports graduates (within 2 years) in taking the next steps in entrepreneurship, whether that is going freelance, becoming self-employed or starting your own business.
Opportunities include:
- Workshops, talks, and network events about entrepreneurship
- A regular newsletter of new, paid freelance work
- Bookable business advice and support
And much more.
Our Westminster Connect platform is an online community hub exclusively for Westminster Graduates. You can get in touch with Westminster alumni through WestminsterConnect.org where you can connect and engage with fellow alumni from all over the world. It will enable you to reach out to old friends, expand your employment network, and give access to resources and benefits exclusive to our graduates.