High satisfaction with study conditions and career entry: HSZG impresses in Saxony-wide comparison in graduate study
The results of the 4th Saxon Graduate Survey are available and give the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences (HSZG) an above-average report card: Graduates from the 2019 and 2020 graduating classes rated their studies at HSZG very positively in almost all areas. Looking back, they particularly emphasized the high level of satisfaction with their choice of study, the special quality of the study conditions and the quick career entry.
According to the online survey coordinated by the Center for Quality Analysis (ZQA) at Dresden University of Technology (TUD), 83% of HSZG alumni surveyed said they were very or somewhat satisfied with their time studying at the HSZG - a result that is above the average for all universities of applied sciences in Saxony. Three out of four alumni would definitely study at the HSZG again.
The HSZG also performed excellently in terms of study conditions compared to all HAWs in Saxony. The sufficient number of places in courses, access to IT services (e-mail, internet, etc.), the atmosphere among students and the cooperation between students and lecturers received particularly good ratings.
The HSZG not only impresses students during their studies, but also during their transition into professional life: The clear majority of graduates in the years under review transition seamlessly from their studies to employment - this applies 100% to graduates of cooperative or dual studies. The fit between study content and professional activity is also rated as very good by the vast majority. Around 77% of respondents said they were very or fairly satisfied with their current professional situation.
We are very pleased with the consistently positive results of the 4th Saxon Graduate Survey. They show impressively that our graduates have fond memories of their studies at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences - with a high level of satisfaction, very good study conditions and a successful start to their careers. I am particularly proud that so many of our alumni remain loyal to the region and are shaping their professional future here. This strong feedback is a valuable confirmation for me and at the same time an incentive to continue developing our university with passion and vision.
”The strong regional ties are also noteworthy: around two thirds of HSZG graduates started their first job in the Free State of Saxony - an indicator of the university's close ties with the region and its attractiveness as a place to work and live.
The HSZG sees the positive results as an incentive to continue to ensure the quality of studies and to further develop them in a targeted manner, particularly in the areas of internationalization and digitalization. The study also shows that there is still potential for expansion in individual degree courses in terms of specialization and in-depth study options.
The Saxon Graduate Study has been conducted every five years since 2008 by the Competence Center for Education and Higher Education Research (KfBH) at the TUD's Center for Quality Analysis (ZQA). The survey covers key aspects of study experience, skills development, career entry and professional situation as well as regional mobility. The results of the 4th overall study across all participating Saxon universities are expected to be published on the TUD's ZQA website by the end of August 2025.
Authors: Julia Rülicke, Peggy Sommer
