85.5% of TUS graduates secure employment within nine months, significantly outperforming the national average.
For the third-year running, the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) has secured the highest graduate employment rate in the country, according to the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey released by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
The figures confirm that 85.5% of TUS honours degree graduates were employed within nine months of graduation—significantly ahead of the national university average of 74.9%.
The survey highlights not just the quantity, but the quality of roles secured by TUS graduates. Over 62% are working in highly skilled roles classified as professional, management, or associate professional occupations.
In a clear signal of the value of a TUS degree, almost 18% of graduates in the area of Social Sciences, Journalism and Information commenced employment on starting salaries between €60,000 and €69,999.
Employment stability is also a key theme, with 55.5% of all TUS undergraduates acquiring permanent contracts. Specific sectors performed exceptionally well:
- 73.7% of Engineering undergraduates secured permanent contracts.
- 72.7% of undergraduates from Social Sciences, Journalism and Information secured permanent contracts.
Reflecting the university’s mandate to drive development in the Midlands and Midwest, graduates are making significant economic contributions locally. Employment concentrations are strong in Limerick (31.4%), Dublin (13.1%), Westmeath (8.3%), and Galway (7.2%).
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-centred 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 84% of TUS Research postgraduates and 77.3% of Taught postgraduates are in full-time employment nine months post-graduation.
Aoife Prendergast, Careers & Employability Manager at TUS, explained the strategy: “Our graduates’ success stems from a comprehensive and integrated cycle of trust with our industry partners. This cycle begins when employers co-design our curriculum. They then supervise our students on placement, attend our annual Careers Fairs, and ultimately hire them—often before graduation.
“This deep involvement ensures that when a student graduates from TUS, they are already known, trusted, and fully equipped with the skills required by the employer.”
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 & 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.”