2025 Graduate Outcome Survey Release

Region of Employment The Western Corridor — spanning the West, Mid-West, and South-West — remains the most significant destination for UL graduates. In 2024, 63% of the class found employment within the region, reinforcing the strong link between UL’s talent pipeline and regional economic performance. Employers highlight that retention in the region is supported not only by the availability of graduate roles but also by lifestyle, affordability, and the flexibility offered by hybrid work models. While Dublin and the East continue to attract graduates, employment is now more evenly spread, with strong representation across healthcare, education, advanced manufacturing, financial services, and technology.

Northern Ireland

0%

1%

Border Region

West

9%

3%

27%

Midlands

East

40%

South-East

Mid-West

5%

South-West

14%

At the same time, employers responding to the Early Careers Employer Survey note a slowdown in foreign direct investment and more cautious hiring by multinationals, reflecting current global economic uncertainty. Despite this, regional resilience has been strengthened by a “nearshoring” approach, with employers decentralising operations without losing access to skilled graduates. This sustained flow of graduates into regional employment underlines UL’s critical role in building resilience, supporting employers, and contributing to the long-term competitiveness of Ireland’s western and southern regions. 17