About the Graduate Outcomes Survey

Your experience matters – help shape the future of higher education.

Around 15 months after you finish your course, you’ll receive an email inviting you to complete the Graduate Outcomes Survey. This national survey is run by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). It's the largest annual survey of graduate activity in the UK.

By taking part, you help build an accurate picture of life after university. This helps future students to make informed decisions and universities to improve the support they offer. The survey takes less than ten minutes to complete.

Why your response is important

Completing the Graduate Outcomes survey helps to:

  • show you're using your skills and experience after your degree
  • shape future ARU courses and services, ensuring they support the needs of students entering a changing job market
  • guide prospective students, who rely on this national data when choosing a course or career path
  • provide insight for universities and government to improve higher education across the UK.

Although ARU is legally required to provide graduate contact details to HESA, taking part in the survey is your choice, but your contribution makes a real difference.

If you’ve completed a course at ARU (full-time or part-time, from HNC level upwards) you’ll be invited to complete the survey.

Everyone is asked the same questions, whether you progressed to postgraduate study, entered employment, or stayed within the university sector.

  • You’ll receive an email from HESA with a secure, personalised link.
  • You may also receive a phone call offering the chance to complete the survey over the phone.
  • If HESA cannot reach you, they may contact a third party (such as a family member) to update your contact details.
  • It is not compulsory to complete the survey, but we hope you understand the benefit that your input will have for the future of education. To opt-out, use the opt-out link in the footer of the email invitation, email [email protected], or let the team know when they call you.

If you think you should have received the survey or are having issues accessing it, contact us at [email protected].

Want to know more?

Visit the official Graduate Outcomes website for full information about how your data is used and why the survey exists.