85% of Northern Ireland graduates working locally after university, new report finds

New figures published by the Department for the Economy reveal that 85% of Northern Ireland graduates working in the UK were employed in their home region approximately 15 months after completing university.

The findings place Northern Ireland second among UK regions for graduate employment retention, behind Scotland.

Most local graduates remain in Northern Ireland

The report found that 94% of graduates who were originally from Northern Ireland and studied at a local higher education institution were working in Northern Ireland 15 months after graduation.

This was the highest proportion recorded for any UK region among graduates who studied in their home region.

Half of graduates return after studying away

The research also examined students who left Northern Ireland to attend universities elsewhere in the UK.

It found that half of these graduates had returned to Northern Ireland for employment within 15 months of completing their studies.

The remaining half were working elsewhere in the UK.

Northern Ireland among highest for student retention

Separate enrolment figures for 2024/25 show that 77% of Northern Ireland students attending UK higher education institutions were studying locally.

Only Scotland recorded a higher proportion, at 94%.

The Department for the Economy said the analysis provides an insight into student mobility and graduate employment patterns across the UK.

Department for the Economy — Northern Ireland Graduate Retention Analysis, 15 October 2026

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