Increase in graduates at the tertiary level

During academic year 2012/2013, 2,153 graduates achieved an ISCED level 6 qualification, equivalent to a first degree. Graduates at ISCED level 6 increased by 8.8 per cent over 2012.

Female graduates at ISCED levels 6 and 7 outnumbered males, while male graduates at ISCED level 5 exceeded females by a slim majority.

The majority of graduates in both 2013 and 2012 were enrolled on a full-time basis. This was equivalent to 82.6 per cent of the total. The number of ISCED level 6 graduates following a full-time course increased by 8.4 per cent over 2012, while part time graduates at the same level increased by 13.2 per cent.

Part-time graduates in 2013 made up 17.4 per cent of the total, the majority of which achieved a qualification at ISCED level 7.

In 2013, the average age of students graduating at ISCED level 6 was 23.5 years and was similar to the average recorded in 2012 (23.4 years). Part-time graduates at all levels had a higher average age when compared with their full-time counterparts.

The average age estimated for graduates at ISCED level 5 decreased by 2.8 years over the previous year. In contrast, ISCED level 8 students had an average graduation age of 35.3 years.

The areas of social science, business and law were the most popular among students in 2013, resulting in 40.0 per cent of graduates majoring in this field. This was followed by graduates in science subjects, at 14.6 per cent of graduates. The fields of study favoured the most by male graduates were engineering, manufacturing and construction and science.

In contrast, females had a stronger presence in education and health.

In 2013, foreigners graduating in Malta totalled 199, equivalent to 5.2 per cent of total graduates. The number of graduates of foreign nationality in 2013 increased by 61 over 2012. Overall, the majority of foreign graduates were EU nationals.