The 2023 National Graduates Survey (NGS) focuses on the education and labour market experiences of persons who graduated from public postsecondary educational institutions in 2020. The survey includes questions about academic paths, funding for postsecondary education and the transition into the labour market. It will also explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education and employment of graduates.
The data will be used by Statistics Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), provincial and territorial ministries of education, researchers and other interested organizations to examine various topics such as educational pathways, postsecondary funding, mobility, school-to-work transitions, labour market outcomes and pursuits of further postsecondary studies.
Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes. In addition, information from partially completed or unsaved questionnaires may be retained and used.
Collection period:
From April 03, 2023 to August 13, 2023
Collection methods:
An electronic questionnaire with telephone interview follow-up for non-response.
Survey participation:
Voluntary
Confidentiality
Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
Data sharing agreements and record linkage
Data sharing agreements
To avoid duplication in the collection of information and ensure uniform statistics, Statistics Canada has entered into agreements to share the information collected from the National Graduates Survey, with the provincial and territorial ministries of education as well as the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission. Your name, address, telephone number or other identifiers will not be shared. These organizations will keep the information confidential and use it for statistical purposes only. Your survey responses will only be shared with your consent.
Record linkage
To enhance the data from this survey and reduce response burden, Statistics Canada will combine the information you provide with data from the Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS), the Registered Apprenticeship Information System (RAIS) and personal tax data. Statistics Canada may also combine the information you provide with data from other surveys or administrative sources.
Topics covered in the survey
The survey asks questions about
- academic paths
- funding for postsecondary education
- transition into the labour market
- impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education and employment of graduates.
Published data
Statistics Canada publishes the results of its surveys in many formats. To find all the documents related to this survey, follow the links below and type the name of the survey in the search engine located at the left of your screen to filter the results.
Data: You will find tables, profiles of a community or region, thematic maps, public use microdata files, and data visualization tools.
Analysis: You will have direct access to Stats in brief (e.g., releases from The Daily, fact sheets), articles and reports, and journals and periodicals.
Survey-specific questions
What is the National Graduates Survey?
Statistics Canada, in partnership with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), is conducting the National Graduates Survey to collect information from graduates on academic paths, funding for postsecondary education and the transition into the labour market. It will also explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education and employment of graduates.
How long does it take to complete the questionnaire?
It will take approximately thirty minutes to complete the questionnaire.
How was I selected to participate?
Graduates from public postsecondary educational institutions across Canada were selected randomly from the Postsecondary Student Information System. The invitation letter includes instructions on how to identify the person within the household who has been selected to participate.
Can I choose not to answer certain questions?
Yes. Even after having agreed to participate in the survey, you may choose not to answer specific questions you find sensitive or where you feel uncomfortable providing a response.
When will the results be available?
Results from this survey will be available in Winter 2024. The release will be announced in The Daily, Statistics Canada's official release bulletin.
Where does Statistics Canada get my tax data?
Statistics Canada will get your tax information from the Canada Revenue Agency. Your tax information will only be used for statistical and research purposes.
How will you safeguard the confidentiality of my information?
As with all Statistics Canada surveys, any information provided will remain confidential pursuant to the Statistics Act. Statistics Canada takes the privacy of Canadians very seriously. Published data can never identify you or your household.
To find out more about the measures in place to safeguard the confidentiality of your information, visit Statistics Canada's Trust Centre.