Limerick technological university has the highest rate of employment after graduation

FOR the third year in a row, the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) has the highest graduate employment rate in the country. 

Out of all of their graduates 85.5% of TUS graduates get a job within nine months of finishing their course. 

This is significantly ahead of the national average of 74.9%, according to figures from the latest graduate outcomes survey released by the Higher Education Authority. 

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Of the 85.5%, more than 62% secure highly skilled jobs classed as being professional, management or associate professional occupations. 

Almost 18% of graduates in the area of social sciences, journalism and information commenced employment on starting salaries between €60,000 and €69,999. 

As well as starting jobs soon after graduation, 55% of the TUS graduates are also getting permanent contracts, and the rates are higher in engineering (73.7%), as well as social sciences, journalism and information (72.7%). 

Just over 31% of the TUS graduates work and stay in Limerick, while 13.1% go to Dublin, 8.3% go to Westmeath and 7.2% go to Galway. 

President of TUS, Professor Vincent Cunnane, said: “These outstanding outcomes reflect our mission as a university deeply connected to its regions and focused on student success. Our care-based, student-centered approach combines academic excellence with employability and personal support. 

“We extend our sincere thanks to our staff across the university, and our regional employers and industry partners. Their collaboration is vital; their engagement ensures every graduate’s success.”

The survey also found that 80% of TUS graduates consider their programme relevant to their current role, substantially higher than the national figure of just over 60%. 

Dean of flexible and work-based learning, Seamus Hoyne, added: “Work-based and active learning approaches are central to how TUS prepares students for the future of work. Embedding structured placements and work-based projects across our programmes means students are constantly applying what they learn to real-world problems.”