The graduation rate for Master of Science engineering programmes is the subject of periodic debate, with critics claiming that too few students who enrol on a programme go on to graduate.

For taxpayers, it is a loss if many people start a programme and do not complete it. Of those who begin an engineering degree, 55 per cent graduate within the standard duration of the programme plus three years. However, if we include those who have completed 90 per cent of the course requirements, the figure rises to 73 per cent.

Almost 60 per cent of our students secure a job before completing their final term, which explains why a large group of students enter the labour market while still having exams to sit or dissertations to finish – in other words, before completing their degree programme. If we add those who start a Master of Science in Engineering programme but ultimately graduate with a different degree, this adds a further 10 per cent.

To address the group of students who have completed almost the entire programme and found employment, but still have some outstanding modules, a focused evaluation is currently underway at KTH to gather further data. As we see that some of those who do not graduate have outstanding modules in mathematics, we are strengthening capacity in maths courses through so-called “collaborative learning”, where older students provide support to younger ones. We are also working on targeted initiatives within certain programmes and on pedagogical development to support students in their studies.

While some companies require a degree when hiring, most do not. Greater and clearer recognition of the value of a degree by the business sector prior to recruitment would, of course, be of great value in increasing graduation rates.

In other words, a significantly higher proportion than 55 per cent of the students enter the labour market. At the same time, we are working hard to create the conditions that will enable engineering students who are almost there to take the final steps required for graduation.