Media

The University of Hong Kong Graduate Employment Statistics, 2001

28 May 2002

 

Despite news of unemployment and lay-offs, HKU students who graduated in 2001 fared better than expected in the job market. While more first degree graduates were unemployed at six months after graduation, at the same time many received a higher salary than their predecessors. [Mean gross monthly income for first degree graduates increased from $15,448 in 2000 to $16,152 in 2001.] At the time of writing, all the graduates who reported as being unemployed have already secured employment. Only one exception remains.

With increased unemployment, more graduates chose to make use of the situation to up-grade their knowledge and skills, pursue a subject that they have keen interest in, or sit out the downturn by pursuing further studies. Those who completed a higher degree in 2001 did indeed secure a significantly higher salary than first degree graduates. Reported gross monthly income for each of the three groups of graduates are: first degree graduates -$16,152 p.m.; taught postgraduates - $20,663 p.m.; and research postgraduates – $19,298 p.m.

Employment Situation of 2001 First Degree Graduates (HKU)

Employment Situation / 2000 / 2001
Employed / 78% / 75%
Further Studies / 18% / 20%
Emigrated or not actively looking for employment / 3% / 3%
Unemployed / 1% / 2%
Population / 2748 / 2635

Employment Situation of 2001 Taught Postgraduates (HKU)

Employment Situation / 2000 / 2001
Employed / 91% / 89%
Further Studies / 4% / 7%
Emigrated or not actively looking for employment / 3% / 2%
Unemployed / 2% / 2%
Population / 749 / 784

Employment Situation of 2001 Research Postgraduates (HKU)

Employment Situation / 2000 / 2001
Employed / 71% / 67%
Further Studies / 16% / 22%
Emigrated or not actively looking for employment / 8% / 9%
Unemployed / 5% / 2%
Population / 348 / 309

Mean income across the board

Position / 2000 / 2001
Research Postgraduates / 23,786 / 19,298
Remarks: The high salary in year 2000 was achieved
by several exceptionally senior individuals
Taught Postgraduates / 20,963 / 20,663
Remarks:The reduced salary is caused by the lowering
of entry salary for several postgraduate positions.
First Degree Graduates / 15,448 / 16,152

Examples of high entry salary positions

Degree / Gross Monthly Income / Job Nature / Industry
PhD / $32,500 / Professional Staff / Construction
Master Degree (unspecified) / $45,000 / Self-employed
MEcon / $34,133 / Administration/Manufacturing
BA(ArchStud) / $23,095 / Professional Staff / Civil Service
BA / $28,075 / Administration / Civil Service
BEcon&Fin / $21,000 / Management / Engineering Services
BBA / $20,500 / Marketing / IT
BDS / $25,120 / Professional Staff / Hospital
BEd / $28,075 / Administration / Civil Service
BEng / $28,160 / Teaching / Education
LLB / $40,000 / Professional Staff / Law
MBBS / $49,000 / Professional Staff / Hospital
BSc / $23,000 / Professional Staff / Civil Service
BSocSc / $25,000 / Administration / Education

Prospects for 2002

Employment situation for 2002 is likely to be much better than expected. While the number of vacancies for new graduates dropped around 50%, the number of job offers received by students is similar to that of last year. Among the job offers notified to the Careers Education and Placement Centre, HKU finalists managed to secure around 60% of the total lot. Nevertheless, more work is needed in the summer to place all of the new graduates into employment.


Questions are welcome

The media is welcome to raise questions or interview 2001 graduates and final year students, some of whom have agreed to be interviewed. Please contact Miss Cindy Chan or Miss Amy Cheung at HKU's Career Education and Placement Centre at 2859-2314.