Tertiary-level graduates totalled 4,898 during 2019

Tertiary-level graduates totalled 4,898 during 2019, equivalent to an increase of 18.1% over the previous year.

The largest share of tertiary graduates (55.3%) attained a first-degree qualification at ISCED level 6 (Bachelor’s or equivalent). This was followed by 33.7% of total graduates who attained their qualification at ISCED Level 7 (Master’s or equivalent).

When compared to 2018, an increase of 31.1% was recorded in graduates at ISCED level 5 (Short-cycle tertiary education).

The majority of tertiary graduates (57.1%) were females, increasing by 1.4 percentage points when compared to 2018. Females surpassed males in all levels of tertiary education, with the exception of ISCED level 8.

The absolute majority, or 60.5% of tertiary-level graduates, were aged between 20 and 24 years.

During 2019, 72.2 per cent of graduates received a qualification from a full-time programme.

Foreign graduates totalled 640, equivalent to 13.1% of total tertiary-level graduates, increasing by 4.0 percentage points over the previous year. Non-EU nationals comprised the largest proportion of foreign tertiary graduates.

The ‘Business, administration and law’ field of education was the most popular field amongst tertiary graduates in 2019, accounting for more than one third of all tertiary-level graduates, at 34.4%.

This was followed by graduates in the ‘Health and Welfare’ field of education at 18.1%