HBO Monitor results 2025: Saxion graduates are well-positioned in the labour market and are satisfied with their study programmes

The HBO-Monitor is an annual survey of all applied university graduates. The survey was completed in the autumn of 2025 by graduates from academic year 2023/2024. The ratings for the various themes in the HBO Monitor are generally in line with last year’s (see the factsheet) and are largely in line with the national averages.
 
Strong position in the job market 
Saxion graduates find work quickly: 81% have a job straight away and 89% have found a job within three months of graduating. Furthermore, 76% of Saxion graduates hold a position that matches their level of education, 77% work in their field of study, and 65% have a permanent appointment. The unemployment rate among Saxion graduates is 3.8%, which is in line with the national unemployment rate of graduates from universities of applied sciences (4.1%).

Well prepared for the labour market
We see that Saxion graduates believe their study programme provides a good foundation for entering the labour market (58%). This is similar to the national average of 61%, but slightly lower than last year’s figure (62%). Saxion graduates also believe that the study programme provides a solid foundation for further developing their knowledge and skills (69%, in line with the national average of 68%). The rating for career preparation is 48%, which is slightly lower than last year, but comparable to the national average (51%).
 
Satisfied 
Looking back on their study programme, 63% are satisfied with their studies in general and 66% of Saxion graduates would recommend their study programme to family and/or friends. Saxion graduates are also satisfied with the lecturers (70%), a figure that matches the national average. Satisfaction with the content of the study programme (55%) and the embedding of applied research (57%) is slightly lower than the national average (58% and 60% respectively).

A clear overview of results  
The attached factsheet  gives a clear overview of Saxion’s ratings in key aspects of the HBO Monitor. 

About the HBO Monitor 
The HBO Monitor is an annual review of the employment market position of applied university graduates, approximately one-and-a-half years after their graduation. The survey is conducted under the supervision of the Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences (Vereniging Hogescholen). The 2025 survey concerns applied university graduates from the academic year 2023/2024. The survey was conducted in the autumn of 2025. 45% of Saxion students who graduated in the academic year 2023/2024 took part in the HBO Monitor 2025. The national response rate was 38%.