Success Rate of Graduates in the Labour Market: Expectations of Youth from Studying at the University

Abstract

The article highlights issues of the quality of higher education in Russia. Both domestic and foreign scientists’ approaches to assessing the quality of higher professional education are systematised. It was found that most researchers associate the quality of higher education with the success of a graduate in the labour market although understand the meaning of this term differently. Based on the results of a sociological survey conducted among students at four major universities in St. Petersburg (The Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, St. Petersburg State University of Economics, North-West Institute of Management of the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, National Research University Higher School of Economics), it was concluded that the quality of education in Russian universities is determined by the relevance of theoretical knowledge and practical skills provided by an educational institution; professionalism of teachers, which consists in not only a deep knowledge of their professional area and new development trends but also the ability to transfer knowledge to students; relations between an educational institution and enterprises of the real sector of the economy, since this gives the opportunity for internships in companies thus providing subsequent employment prospects. The authors of the article conclude that the quality of the education obtained is one of the most important criteria for choosing a university by Russian students. Future graduates associate success in the professional field, a decent position in society, and a decent level of income from professional activities with the quality of the education they receive.