Since 2010, Kiel University of Applied Sciences has been conducting graduate surveys. Since then, it has regularly participated in the Cooperative Graduate Survey Project (KOAB), initially under the coordination of the International Centre for Higher Education Research (INCHER) Kassel. In 2016/17, project coordination was transferred to the Institute for Applied Statistics in Kassel (ISTAT). Along with Kiel University of Applied Sciences, many other universities in Germany participate in this cooperative project, using a comparable questionnaire for their university-wide graduate surveys. Kiel University of Applied Sciences receives the responses from its own graduates for internal evaluation and also receives result presentations in the context of nationwide data. This significantly enhances the insights gained from the responses for Kiel University of Applied Sciences.

The main focus areas of the survey are the retrospective evaluation of the study program, the transition into the job market, and the employment situation at the time of the survey. Surveys are typically conducted one to two years after graduation.

The graduates' evaluations are made fully available to the respective departments at the program level (without revealing individual identities) and contribute to the further development of existing study programs and offerings. Additionally, the results are used in the reaccreditation process of the study programs.

Why Graduate Surveys?

The feedback from graduates is a vital source for Kiel University of Applied Sciences to adjust study conditions and content to the needs of its students. The results also play a fundamental role in reaccreditations. Departments can assess whether their expectations regarding skill acquisition and employment fields align with the practical experiences of their graduates. The information gathered provides a wide range of opportunities for university development and the improvement of the services offered by the university and its departments. Based on the results, offerings for key and additional qualifications can be specifically expanded. Insights into study and career paths also enhance the advice provided by the Career Service and Academic Advising.