This longitudinal study focuses on the transition from higher education (HE) to worklife. Generally, the transition is considered to have become more complicated due to the changing conditions for work in a supercomplex society. More specifically, there is also still sparse knowledge about how students in PBL programmes cope with the transition process. Previous research on the topic has suggested that there is a need for more complex studies of the relationship between HE and work. The aim of the study is twofold, (i) to describe the way students experience their programme as seniors and later their work situation as novice workers, and (ii) if there are differences regarding these experiences in comparison between a PBL programme (psychology) and conventional progammes (mechanical engineering and political science). The transition from HE to worklife in the three programmes is analysed according to five dimensions; relation to space/areas of operation, identity/tracjectory, professional role characteristics, transition process and relationships between education and work. The results indicate that the PBL-programme is preparing for worklife in a rational way, both regarding generic skills and substantive knowledge. The conventional programmes stand out as preparing for worklife either by providing generic skills or by having a ritual character.