Where are Wales’ graduates going?

As the UK academic year concludes, thousands of Welsh graduates face decisions about their future careers. Understanding where Welsh talent is heading, and why, is crucial given the evolving Welsh economy and global opportunities. This exploration investigated whether graduates are staying in Wales, moving elsewhere in the UK, or seeking opportunities abroad, drawing insights from industry experts and graduates.

The Welsh Government aims for young people to "prosper and thrive in an innovative, fresh and forward-looking Wales", working to create new jobs across industries and supporting entrepreneurs and apprentices. But, despite this ambition and significant Welsh Government investment in higher education, questions remain about initiatives encouraging graduates to stay in Wales post-studies. Recent data reveals a concerning trend: nearly 80% of graduates from Wales's eight universities left the country last year, indicating a struggle to retain skilled talent.

We spoke to Dr. Owain James of Darogan to get his perspective. His company's online job board and career events, including Welsh-based fairs timed during holidays and GradCon Cymru in Cardiff, aim to engage Welsh students studying across the UK and those nearing graduation. Darogan also collaborates with the Cardiff Capital Region’s Venture Graduate Programme, placing over 100 graduates in Welsh roles.

Owain notes that graduates who left Wales for university are least likely to return, attributing this to greater opportunities at Russell Group Universities outside Wales and the dominance of south-east England at career fairs. Many Welsh students are influenced by English peers whose career aspirations lie outside Wales.

Career paths in certain sectors, especially finance and technology, draw many graduates away because those opportunities just don’t (yet) exist in Wales. Owain points out that the geography of Wales also plays a part: “Wales is comparable in size to most English regions, and regional disparities exist; for example, North Wales residents might look to Manchester for opportunities similar to those in Cardiff”.

Despite challenges, Wales leads in sectors like compound semiconductors and fintech, with companies like Admiral and Confused.com thriving. Creative industries are strong, with BBC and ITV investing in Welsh productions. Rural Wales also has the potential to lead the UK in green energy production due to access to renewable resources like tidal and offshore wind energy.

A key challenge for graduates in Wales is the limited number of large employers with resources for graduate schemes. Wales has many SMEs, which often prioritise experienced staff, so it might be that SMEs need more support to grow and offer entry-level graduate opportunities.

Owain added that he believes more should be done to retain graduates, saying: "Graduates who leave and gain experience elsewhere often return with fresh insights, but at present, there is little being done to actively bring them back… What’s needed now is a strategic, long-term plan that ensures Welsh graduates see a future for themselves in Wales".

GlobalWelsh member Liam co-founded a software company in Madrid, seeking an international outlook, diverse talent, and a cost-effective lifestyle. He noted that SaaS and creator-focused tools are more developed elsewhere, and Wales's early-stage startup ecosystem is currently less mature for investment and international scaling. He suggests showcasing more Welsh entrepreneurs and offering more mentorship or accelerator support programs would help retain young talent. Liam would return if he could see that Wales is investing in a stronger startup infrastructure, community, and access to talent/networks.

Another GlobalWelsh member, Lucy, moved to Spain after graduating from Swansea University. She felt professors at her university didn't encourage staying and suggested that Welsh Government incentives like student loan discounts or guaranteed jobs would have swayed her decision. Unlike Liam, Lucy is settled and does not plan to return to Wales in the foreseeable future.

This begs the question, what are universities doing? Wales’ largest university, Cardiff University, actively encourages retention through MEDR and Cardiff City Region-funded schemes, summer internships, and an Employer Engagement strategy to promote local employers. However, they acknowledge that the "overall volume of opportunities doesn’t always match the ambitions or specialisms of all our students. Wales still faces structural challenges around economic growth and business scale-up".

Cardiff University observes that many graduates want to stay in Cardiff for at least a year post-graduation, which is consistent with other university cities. Key challenges include transition to adulthood, career exploration, social pressure, and self-doubt, highlighting the need for strong support networks and a focus on "mental wealth and quality of life". The university aims to be an 'anchor institution' delivering cultural, social, economic, and environmental benefits.

Trade and Invest Wales promotes Wales as a business base with access to innovation, aiming for a stronger university-to-employment transition through strategic investment.

When looking, I found that Wales does offer a range of postgraduate schemes from organisations like the BBC, ITV, the NHS, and the Ministry of Justice. The NHS Wales General Management Graduate Programme, a successful example, provides placements, a funded master’s degree, and a competitive salary, making the NHS Cardiff University's largest employer of graduates in Wales.

Perhaps graduates perceive more opportunities elsewhere, though, as Owain shared, “Welsh opportunities do exist but are often not visible or well-promoted”.

Ultimately, it’s inevitable that graduates will seek opportunities elsewhere. This isn't necessarily negative; many will return to Wales in the future with valuable global experience, networks, skills and even in a position to invest or start a business. They come back not only as employees, but as entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers with the potential to enrich Welsh communities and the economy. Programmes like Taith support this journey by enabling international exchanges that strengthen both individual growth and national ties. GlobalWelsh provides a network for the Welsh diaspora, which includes Welsh graduates, connecting professionals abroad with opportunities back home, fostering identity, mentorship, and potential return migration or investment opportunities.

While it's important to support graduates in building careers in Wales, we must also recognise the long-term value of outward mobility. The key is connection. So whether you're bound for London, chasing a dream abroad, or staying local - keep Wales in your story. It's not about where you go, but how you stay connected. And with GlobalWelsh Connect, staying connected has never been easier.

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