Study title

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The Doctoral Impact and Career Tracking Survey, 2013 was conducted as part of a study commissioned by Research Councils UK (RCUK), the Higher Education Funding Council England (HEFCE) and Higher Education Funding Council Wales (HEFCW). The study aimed to understand the career pathways and destinations for doctoral graduates over a seven to nine year period after graduation and to provide evidence of the economic, social and cultural impact of doctoral graduates.

The purpose of the study was to inform investment in doctoral training, policy relating to research training and careers, and researchers themselves and those advising them on career options. The survey was administered online between April and June 2013. Survey respondents had graduated with a doctoral qualification (mainly PhD, but also EngD, DClinPsy etc.) from a UK institution in the academic years 2003-04, 2004-05 or 2005-06. This includes overseas doctoral graduates although most respondents were UK or EU domiciled. The study was intended to build on earlier research exploring destinations of doctoral graduates six months and three and a half years after graduation.

Further information about this survey can be found on the RCUK webpage.


Main Topics:

This study covers destinations of doctoral graduates seven to nine years after graduation, including: employment status, occupational cluster, salary and contract type; number of jobs and employers and periods of unemployment since graduation; impact of doctorate; involvement in innovative activity; satisfaction with career to date and doctorate.