University education and transition into the labour market during the financial crisis. Spanish evidence

ABSTRACT

This research using a time survival model is aimed at analysing which factors determine the time it took Spanish university graduates to find their first job during the 2009–15 period, a time framework where the Spanish economy underwent the worst effects of the financial crisis. As far as training is concerned, both the type of degree (bachelor or master) and the field of knowledge decisively influence the employability process. Other factors also contribute to significantly reduce the time to obtain the first job. Among these are studying at a private university, taking a university master’s degree and studying abroad, as well as speaking some languages and having been awarded any grant. Gender does not seem to exercise any influence.

KEYWORDS:

• Higher education
• employability
• economic cycle
• survival model

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.