The Ontario University Graduate Survey (OUGS) is conducted annually by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) [(formely known as the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU)], with support from Ontario universities, and through a third party survey company. Each undergraduate cohort is surveyed two years after graduation from university. The survey’s purpose is to collect data on the employment rates and experiences of graduated students from undergraduate programs, both six months and two years after graduation. Students are requested to provide information on:
- employment status
- type of employment (permanent, temporary, or seasonal)
- reason for unemployment (unable to find work, returned to school)
- intensity of employment (30 hours per week, less than 30 hours per week)
- level of education required for their employment
- how closely the employment was related to the skills acquired at university
- how closely employment was related to their program of study, the salary range for their position
- satisfaction with program of study
In addition to these topical areas, the Ministry calculates an employment rate at both six months and two years after graduation. Employment rate is calculated as the percentage of graduates employed (based on employment survey respondents who reported that they were employed) divided by survey respondents considered to be in the labour force (employed or looking for employment).
If you are interested in the survey instrument or results, please send a request to IAP via the Survey data request form.