The study

Why do young people take the Abitur or the Fachhochschulreife?
What are the reasons in favor of studying and what are the reasons against?
What factors influence the decision to take up vocational training?
Does a degree offer a benefit on the labor market?
What is the career entry process like?

These are just some of the questions investigated by the DZHW's Student Life Cycle Panel.

For more than 40 years, the DZHW has been asking selected cohorts of school and university graduates about their plans for the time after graduation:

  • their plans for the time after school and university,
  • their actual decisions,
  • their experiences during their studies, vocational training and employment.

This also allows analyses of developments over time.

The Student Life Cycle Panel is a longitudinal study.

In addition to snapshots, the so-called panel design also enables statements to be made about developments over time. For this purpose, we interview the same people several times:

  • The first survey of school graduates takes place in the final year of school. The second follows approximately six months after graduation. Further surveys follow at 2-year intervals.
  • The first survey of university graduates takes place approximately one and a half years after graduation. Further surveys follow every 2 years.

The Student Life Cycle Panel is a multi-cohort study.

Every four years, a new cohort of school graduates and a new cohort of university graduates are surveyed. The DZHW has been conducting such repeated surveys since 1976.

Survey frequency of the study

The first survey of a cohort of students with higher education entrance qualifications starts six months before they obtain their higher education entrance qualification. In addition, university graduates are surveyed for the first time one to one and a half years after obtaining a university degree. Further surveys of a cohort take place at intervals of approximately two years.

The results of the survey

The results and data dof the Student Life Cycle Study are used in a variety of ways. They serve as a basis for decision-making in education policy, enable new insights in higher education research and provide the public with information about developments in the transition to vocational qualifications and the labor market.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

How is the study funded?

The Student Life Cycle Panel is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and the Ministries of Education of the 16 federal states.

What questions are being asked?

There is a core set of questions that is asked in each cohort of higher education graduates. The first survey mainly looks back at the completed degree program and the decision to enter the labor market or pursue further academic qualifications such as a Master's degree. The follow-up surveys focus on the educational and professional paths taken, as well as questions about career development, professional outcomes or starting a family. Personal details such as gender, age, migration background and social origin are also asked in each examination cohort, as they represent important background characteristics, e.g., for explaining differences in educational decisions or career advancement.

In addition, each examination cohort emphasizes special topics, such as regional mobility, career orientation and social networks.

I have not studied and do not intend to study. Should I fill in the questionnaire anyway?

Yes, absolutely! The survey is aimed at all graduates, regardless of their future career path. We would also like to find out which groups of people do not go on to study despite having obtained a higher education entrance qualification and why they choose other educational and career paths.

How can I update my postal address or e-mail address?

You can inform us about your changed contact details at any time by e-mail to slc@dzhw.eu or by telephone. You can find the telephone numbers of our project assistants on our team page.

How do I know if I won the prize draw?

If we have a valid address (or e-mail address) from you, we will contact you in case of a win.

How is data protection ensured?

The DZHW is obliged to strictly comply with the data protection regulations applicable to the collection and processing of personal data. The evaluation of the collected data is carried out in such a way that it is not possible to draw conclusions about individuals. The survey data will be used exclusively for scientific and not for commercial purposes. Contact details will not be passed on to third parties. You can find detailed information here.

View all FAQs

Interesting information and results of the survey

  • Difficulties in decision-making

    The most common reasons why prospective students find it difficult to choose their post-secondary education are the limited number of options (45%), admission restrictions (43%) and uncertainty about their own interests (42%).

    (Survey of the 2018 cohort of school graduates)

  • The most popular degree programs

    The most popular fields of study among those eligible to study in 2018 are economics (12%), teacher training courses (11%) and mathematics/computer science (6%).

    (Survey of the 2018 cohort of students)

  • Positive assessment of own career prospects

    In contrast to students from previous surveys, students in the class of 2022 increasingly rate their own career prospects as very good or good.

    (Survey of the 2022 cohort of students)

  • Around four out of ten students feel well informed.

    Six months before leaving school, 41 percent of those eligible to study feel that they are fully informed about the various study and training options.

    (Survey of the 2018 cohort of students)