The Graduate Impact Survey (GIS) is an annual survey conducted by the European Commission in collaboration with the Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA)’s Policy and Quality Assurance unit. The survey evaluates the impact of Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) programmes on personal and professional development in graduates.
It analyses the experience of 3 different cohorts of EMJMD graduates. In the GIS 2022/23, graduates from cohorts 2012/13, 2017/18 and 2021/22 were invited to participate by e-mail and 3.396 of them completed the survey. This was the first edition in which self-funded students and Erasmus Mundus scholarship holders were included. To enhance representativity, the data were weighted to reflect the overall distribution of gender, region, field of study, and cohort. The newest edition of this survey included relevant topics, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on studies and entry into the labour market.
Over time, there has been a noticeable shift in the mobility background of graduates, with fewer European graduates and more alumni from Africa and Latin America. This change is attributed to evolving mobility rules under different Erasmus Mundus program generations. The gender distribution varied significantly across fields of study, with women making up 32-41% in STEM and 51-67% in other fields like Social Sciences and Humanities. The role of scholarships has evolved, with a slight increase in non-scholarship holders between 2012/13 and 2021/22. The proportion of graduates who relied solely on scholarships rose from 52% in 2012/13 to 63% in 2021/22, especially among alumni from the global south and women— the reliance on scholarships varied across different fields of study.
The primary motive for pursuing an Erasmus Mundus Master was the availability of scholarships (24%), followed by the opportunity for international experiences. Career prospects and skill improvement were the least important motives. Overall satisfaction with the Erasmus Mundus programme remained high, averaging 4.3 out of 5, though a slight decline was in more recent cohorts. Graduates suggested improvements in practical relevance and career impact, highlighting the need for more training in information technology, programming languages, soft skills, and career guidance. Many called for increased support for internships and networking opportunities with potential employers. Additionally, there was a strong demand for better promotion of the Erasmus Mundus Master programmes in their countries and greater access to scholarships.
Respondents noted the need for enhanced coordination between host universities, improved curriculum flexibility, and better support for visa applications and accommodation. There were also calls for organized social activities at host universities to strengthen integration and a more practical orientation in degree programs. Some graduates criticized the varying quality of universities in the program and recommended expanding collaborations to offer more diverse opportunities.
Overall, the survey highlights the Erasmus Mundus programme's positive impact while identifying areas for enhancement to prepare graduates for the labour market better and improve their overall experience.
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Last Updated 10 June 2024
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