The European Network on Graduate Tracking enters its 2025–2027 cycle with a renewed commitment to deepen cooperation, enhance data comparability, and support evidence-based policymaking across the EU and EEA. Together with the publication of the final results of Eurograduate 2022 in autumn 2025, the Eurograduate 2026 round has been launched by EHESO, the European Higher Education Sector Observatory. In cooperation with EHESO the Network has held a PLA on ‘the development of internationally comparable indicators’, focusing on the implementation of a new EHESO pilot data collection. This January newsletter features a closer look on these EU-level developments and activities, as well as on national developments from Ireland and Norway.
News
The fourth peer learning activity (PLA) of the European Network on Graduate Tracking explored ways to enhance the comparability of graduate tracking data across EU and EEA countries. Building on the 2024 PLA, key discussions focused on developing internationally comparable indicators, primarily based on administrative data, and a roadmap for a centralised European data platform in view of a pilot data collection of aggregated indicators by the European Higher Education Sector Observatory.
Eurograduate 2026 preparatory activities are advancing swiftly: the questionnaire has been extensively revised, including an extended module on graduate competences developed by the ACME project, while the EHESO consortium is also setting up the translation process. Further, detailed specifications for the Central Survey Tool have been defined in order to enable a final decision on the technical platform. Discussions with Eurostat on hosting the Scientific Use File and ensuring data confidentiality are progressing constructively. Finally, the preparation of national data collection plans will start in February 2026.
Events
A renowned moment for the higher education community, the event brings together university practitioners, policymakers and students to shape the future of education. Registrations are currently open for those who want to join the discussion in Amsterdam. Please note that this is a fee-paying event.
On 4 October 2023, representatives of the participating EUROGRADUATE 2022 countries and the EUROGRADUATE consortium will meet in Hanover, Germany. The project meeting will be followed by the international conference ‘The future of higher education and science – A turn of times?’ (October 5-6) taking place in Hanover as well. A session at this conference will be dedicated to EUROGRADUATE 2022, offering an opportunity to discuss research ideas and publications using EUROGRADUATE data.