23 occupational integration of university graduates (Master's, DUT, LP)

Around 9 out of 10 students who graduated with Master's degrees, vocational Bachelor's degrees (LP) and University technology diplomas (DUT) in 2012 were in employment in December 2014, some 30 months after leaving university. After 18 months, the integration process was already well advanced. Over 85% of LMD Master's graduates were in employment. However, the employment conditions differ according to the subject studied.

The sixth national survey on occupational integration of university graduates includes, for the first time, employment indicators 18 months after graduating, with an employment rate ¹ of over 80%. Slight differences appear according to the qualification, with 82% in DUT, 85% in LMD Master's degrees, 89% in vocational Bachelor's degrees (LP) (chart 23.01a).

Compared to the previous year, occupational integration 30 months after graduating is still almost as high. The employment rate for LMD Master's and DUT graduates fell slightly (less than 1 point), to reach 89% and 88% respectively, but the figure for vocational Bachelor's degree and Master of Education's graduates remains stable (92% and 97% respectively).

A large majority of graduates in employment have a stable job ² 30 months after leaving university, with however significant differences depending on the qualification: 79% for vocational Bachelor's degree graduates, 73% for Master's graduates and 64% for DUT graduates (chart 23.02a). For all qualifications, the jobs occupied are very largely full-time (over 90%). The jobs obtained are of a good level: 85% managers or intermediate professions for Master's graduates, 68% for vocational Bachelor's degree graduates and 58% for DUT graduates.

The median net monthly salary of graduates in full-time employment increased from 5% to 10% between 18 and 30 months after graduation (table 23.03). At 30 months, it reached €1,900 for Master's graduates. Salaries are much lower for vocational Bachelor's degree graduates (€1,600) and DUT graduates (€1,500). All are stable compared to the salaries of 2011 graduates.

Six out of ten Master's graduates work in a private company, two in the public sector and one in an association (chart 23.04a and chart 23.04b). The share of recruitment in private companies has increased, after falling for several years.

'Master of Education' courses designed to prepare students for the competitive entrance examinations for entering the teaching profession have very specific occupational integration, with an employment rate of 97% after 18 months. Their employment conditions do not change much between 18 and 30 months. They mainly work in the public sector (92%) and their salaries are lower than for other Master's graduates.

For the same qualification, the employment rate varies slightly per discipline. In particular, for LMD Master's graduates, Law, Economics and Management (LEM) graduates are more likely to be in employment 18 months after graduating than Human and Social Sciences (HSS) graduates. These differences persist one year later, with a 30-month employment rate of 90% for LEM and Science, Technology and Health (STH) graduates, compared to 86% for HSS and Humanities, Languages and Arts (HLA) (chart 23.01b).

Furthermore, as in previous years, LEM and STH graduates in employment enjoy more favourable employment conditions than HSS and HLA graduates. They often obtain more stable, full-time contracts, and their net median monthly salaries are 25% higher. The share of full-time employment is even lower if the discipline is dominated by women. Nine out of ten STH graduates obtain managerial or intermediate profession jobs compared to 72% to 83% for the other disciplines. The larger share of public or charity sector jobs obtained by HSS and HLA graduates partly explains these pay differences (chart 23.02b).

Louis-Alexandre Erb

¹ Number of graduates in employment out of all graduates present in the job market.
² In employment on a permanent contract, as a civil servant or a self-employed worker.