Singapore grads enjoy higher pay amidst slowing economy

But they find it hard to secure a full-time permanent job.

A survey by Nanyang Technological University (NTU), National University of Singapore (NUS) and Singapore Management University (SMU) revealed that students who graduated from Singapore universities last year are earning higher starting salaries. However, they struggle to find and secure full-time permanent jobs.

Polling 10,904 of the 13,953 fresh graduates from NTU, NUS, and SMU last year, the joint graduate employment survey found out that fresh graduates earned a median starting pay of up to $3,360.

Meanwhile, the survey also noted that 89.7% of the graduates landed a job within six months of their final examination. However, the ratio of those that secured full-time permanent jobs fell from 83.1% in the past year to 80.2% in 2016.

Amongst the three schools, SMU graduates earned the highest median starting salary at $3,500. NUS graduates are earning $3,400 while NTU graduates have a $3,300 paycheck.