SUTD Graduates - Class of 2020: Strong demand and high starting salaries despite uncertain economy

30 Mar 2021

• Overall employment rate of SUTD graduates at 95.9%¹

• 94.4% of fresh graduates who secured full-time permanent employment received at least one job offer, while 50.3% of them received two or more job offers

95.9% of fresh graduates from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) in the labour force were employed within six months of completing their final examinations, reflecting strong demand for SUTD graduates despite the uncertain economic situation. 80.9% of SUTD graduates in the labour force secured full-time permanent employment. 302 out of SUTD’s sixth batch of 372 fresh graduates participated in the latest Graduate Employment Survey.
 
Among those who were in full-time permanent employment, 94.4% received at least one job offer, while 50.3% received two or more job offers. 26.1% of those who secured full-time permanent employment received return job offers arising from their internships, which are compulsory for SUTD students. Another 2.5% of SUTD fresh graduates in the labour force have either accepted a job offer but have yet to start work or are not working but are actively starting a business venture.  
 
Salaries commanded by SUTD fresh graduates remain competitive with median gross monthly salary² for fresh graduates employed in full-time permanent employment at $4,100 in 2020, compared to $4,072 in 2019. The mean gross monthly salary among SUTD’s fresh graduates employed in full-time permanent employment increased to $4,369 in 2020, compared to $4,235 in 2019. For the Class of 2020, the top hiring industries include Information & Communication, Financial & Insurance and Scientific Research & Development.
 
Employment Status of Graduates Who Participated in the Follow-up Survey
46 out of 62 SUTD graduates in the Architecture and Sustainable Design (ASD) degree programme who had graduated in 2017 participated in the 2020 follow-up survey. Majority of these students had taken up SUTD’s Master of Architecture programme and participated in the survey upon completion of their practical training. Of those in the labour force, 100% of them have secured employment.
 
Professor Chong Tow Chong, SUTD's President, said: "Despite the uncertain economic outlook, this year’s Graduate Employment Survey results show that SUTD graduates are still highly sought after by employers, with a number of those employed receiving more than one job offer. Starting salaries for our graduates are even slightly higher than last year. SUTD's unique interdisciplinary, design-centric education and research experience has taught our students robust critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities that will prepare them well to improve society and better the world. Our gratitude goes to employers for their unwavering support and recognition of the value of our graduates.”