Comparing Graduates of Universities of Applied Sciences to Graduates of Universities: R&D Activities, Labour Market Outcomes, Competences, and Mobility

Tasks

This project compares the role of graduates of German universities of applied sciences to that of graduates of German universities with respect to their research and innovation activities (R&D activities) in the German labour market. In addition, possible differences in labour market outcomes such as income, cognitive skills, regional mobility, and family background are analysed. To achieve the highest possible degree of comparability between graduates from universities of applied sciences and graduates from universities, only graduates (students) working in comparable professions or who have completed comparable courses of study (are studying) are considered in this study, subject to data availability.

Methods

Descriptive analyses, regression analyses

Data and other sources

Micro Census; student and adult cohorts of the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS); Linked employer employee data (LIAB) of the Institute for Employment Research (IAB); Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC)

Results

There are hardly any differences between graduates of universities of applied sciences and graduates of universities with respect to their professional R&D activities. In some occupations and fields of study, R&D activities are higher among graduates of universities, and particularly among engineers/technicians - the group with the most R&D activities. On average, graduates of universities have higher incomes than graduates of universities of applied sciences, even within the same field of study. Significant income advantages arise for economics and for some subjects in engineering. In line with higher incomes, graduates of universities have better average reading and numeracy skills than graduates of universities of applied sciences. The higher income earnings can partly be explained by the higher level of numeracy skills of university graduates. No clear results emerge for the regional mobility of both groups of graduates. In terms of familiy background, substantial differences between the two groups of graduates emerge: students at universities are more likely to have two parents with a tertiary education degree and parents who exercise a highly-skilled profession. There are no differences with respect to the migration background of students' parents.

Publication on the project

Fichtl, Anita and Marc Piopiunik, Absolventen von Fachhochschulen und Universitäten im Vergleich: FuE-Tätigkeiten, Arbeitsmarktergebnisse, Kompetenzen und Mobilität, Studien zum deutschen Innovationssystem 14, Expertenkommission Forschung und Innovation (EFI), Berlin, 2017