Best Universities for Job Prospects 2023
Discover the top 20 best universities for graduate employability according to student reviews.
Every student hopes that the knowledge, skills and experience they gain at university will equip them to get a great job when they graduate. Students want to be set up for a stellar career in whatever industry they are passionate about. That’s why hearing directly from current students on their experience is so important in shaping student university choices.
We are thrilled to reveal the StudentCrowd Best University for Job Prospects 2023 is Ulster University. Scroll down to view the top 20 winners who are successfully preparing students for graduate jobs.
What are graduate outcomes and why are they important?
Many universities promote their courses on the basis of sufficiently preparing students for work, whether that is providing work experience opportunities or offering contact details or access to graduate recruiters. Top universities in the United Kingdom produce highly-sought-after and skilled graduates.
The higher education sector requires students to pay tuition fees, but of course those students expect to get a good return on their investment. After years of studying, undergraduate students are either going to go into postgraduate study or work. Universities also offer careers services for students to check their CV, apply for jobs and practise their interview skills. This can support outcomes for graduates in all courses, though this can be further assisted in speciality subjects by faculty teams.
While at university, students can develop work skills, obtain hands-on practical experience and access important placement opportunities. Industry links to employers will look very different depending on the study subject. For example, work opportunities for medical students will not be available to art students.
How can you tell if a course has good job prospects?
Every year the Graduates Outcomes survey is completed by thousands of university alumni in the UK. Students of the previous academic year complete the survey with information on their salary, job title and career progression. The data is used to evaluate job prospects, the results of which are promoted on university course pages.
To find out the best graduate salaries, the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data combines results of one, three and five years after graduation to show progression and offers a wider perspective. Some students may not get their first graduate job straight away, so this data considers this.
The following league table is based on student perceptions of job prospects, according to verified reviews.
How was this top 20 university league table worked out?
To calculate this league table, we analysed 24,041 authentic student reviews written on StudentCrowd between June 2021 and May 2023. When students review their course, they give it a rating out of 5 stars for ‘Job prospects’. We used this rating for every university in the UK to showcase the best 20 across all courses.
The StudentCrowd Awards 2023 is the only university ranking based 100% on verified students in the UK, using their ac.uk email address. Please note this includes international students who attend UK universities.
View the Best Universities for Job Prospects 2022
Find more top performing universities in our other league tables…
Read about all of the StudentCrowd University Awards 2023 and FAQs for the awards here.
Scroll down below to see the Top 20 Best Universities for Job Prospects 2023!
Job Prospects League Table 2023
Image Credit
Ulster University
Brilliant campus, great careers advice and global opportunities!
92% of Ulster University students are starting their career or progressing into further study six months after graduation (HESA). The university career development centre helps offer 2,000 work placements every year, giving students experience in their desired industry. Also, many courses at Ulster include professional accreditations, enhancing student employability.
Image Credit
Loughborough University
...Lecturers are always on hand to answer questions whether it's during classes or by email, and your personal tutor is there to help too. Job prospects are promising both due to the field itself as well as the amazing university the degree and reputation comes from.
Loughborough University graduates are employed across all sectors including engineering, finance, business, arts and sports. The university places a focus on work experience and industry placements, encouraging students to seek out opportunities to improve their job prospects. The resulting impact is that a massive 92% of graduates are in work or further study after graduation (HESA).
Image Credit
University of Liverpool
I know my future is secured with this course in Liverpool! I have people supporting me with exams related stuff and my career prospects
Students at the University of Liverpool have excellent job prospects. While at university, students have access to ‘My Liverpool’, an online hub for seeking out extra-curricular activities and skill-building opportunities to improve their CVs. Throughout the year, hundreds of employers visit the University of Liverpool to speak to prospective graduates about job opportunities across all faculties.
Image Credit
The University of Sheffield
Goes above and beyond to help students with their onward study or placement/graduate jobs.
Degrees at The University of Sheffield include industry knowledge within the curriculum, preparing all students for employment after graduation. This has reflected well in graduate outcome statistics, with 92% of Sheffield graduates in work or further study (HESA).
Image Credit
Durham University
It ranks as one of the highest and most outstanding schools for LLB hons law degree in the United Kingdom. Job prospects for Durham graduates are unlimited and vast. The tutors and staff are outstanding and wonderful to be around.
90% of Durham University graduates are in work or further study, showing how effective the employability and careers development services are at this institution (HESA). Graduates go on to successful careers in academia, business and industry across all subject areas. In reviews, students have shared how helpful the careers service at Durham is.
Image Credit
University of St Andrews
The best aspect of coming to St Andrews has been my department, the courses are taught to an incredibly high level, I have a very strong supervisor, the staff are really friendly and available to talk/ help. There are several job fairs and opportunities.
St Andrews have featured in our Job Prospects league table again this year, with students feeling satisfied with their future graduate outcomes. The university careers service offers support through every student’s career journey, from helping students to figure out their interests, to providing job opportunities and showcasing graduate-schemes.
Image Credit
City, University of London
...The career support team is excellent help in figuring out options for you based on your prospects, past exposure, and strengths. The international modules gives you opportunities to travel across the world during your MBA.
City, University of London, invests in each students’ employability from the moment they begin their degree. For example, through four-week micro-placements, more students have access to work experience whilst studying. 87% of graduates from City, University of London are in work or further education (HESA).
Image Credit
Sheffield Hallam University
Great course if you want to go into education in any way! It creates a wide range of career opportunities and job prospects! Also includes yearly placements!
At Sheffield Hallam University, 92% of students are in work or further study after graduation (HESA). The university offers online careers support and hosts hundreds of careers events throughout the year, giving students a thorough understanding of employability. The careers team offers CV advice, as well as advertising work experience and placement opportunities.
Image Credit
University of Birmingham
I love the course despite how difficult it is! It has great job prospects. The course content is very heavy but definitely expected since it’s a professional course
The rate of employment or study for graduates is high at the University of Birmingham, at 90% (HESA). During their degree, students can receive employability advice from the Careers Network, including one-to-one consultations and job fairs. The university also helps students to secure work experience and internships to facilitate their graduate employment journey.
Image Credit
Aston University
Biomedical Science is a great course for those with a keen interest in Biology with a bit of Chemistry. The course also provides many opportunities for professional development, which greatly improves student's job prospects post graduation.
Aston University has a huge focus on student employability across all faculties, offering placements, internships and work experience to every student throughout their degree. The university has strong industry links, bringing these connections into course content to enhance student knowledge and skills.
Image Credit
Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU)
Love the range of topics in this course. Many available opportunities to help with gaining future career prospects and experience. Staff are very helpful.
91% of Liverpool John Moores University graduates are in work or further study (HESA). The university Student Futures team offers year-round support for students including interview advice, job listings, employer talks and e-learning courses. Also, LJMU alumni can apply for the LJMU Graduate Future funding project, which supports small businesses in Liverpool.
Image Credit
Nottingham Trent University (NTU)
I think the teaching staff and their attentiveness have been consistent and positive. The content of the course is incredibly relevant and applicable to future prospects (this was the general feedback on our Portfolios from potential employers). We have been prepared for our futures after University already. We have a module that has a specific goal for preparing us. We had to submit a CV, Cover Letter and Portfolio. This was to that we were ready for mock interviews prior to finding our placements. This meant that when it came to applying, we had everything ready to a very good standard.
After graduating from Nottingham Trent University, 91% of students are in work or further study (HESA). If any students are not in paid employment 12 months afer graduation, they can apply for the NTU Graduate Employment Promise scheme. This scheme offers students a guaranteed short paid internship to kick off their career journey. Students also have access to careers services and job listings through the employability team.
Image Credit
Northumbria University
interesting course with good teaching, good future prospects
Courses at Northumbria University receive input from employers and accrediting bodies, ensuring that the curriculum aligns with industry skills and knowledge. Students also have access to specialist careers guidance sessions and online employability resources. This has reflected in graduate outcomes, with an impressive 92% of Northumbria graduates in work or further study (HESA).
Image Credit
University of Nottingham
Honestly, I couldn't be happier with my course. Being small, I feel supported and included in everything we do. I know all of my lecturers on a first-name, conversational basis and they are supportive and engaging... Job prospects are amazing; the range of clinical placements were have access to are great and being taught in a medical school that is in a hospital makes you feel immersed in a clinical environment the minute you start your course.
At the University of Nottingham, students have access to careers support meetings, advice and online resources. Students can apply for the University of Nottingham Internship Scheme which provides paid work experience with small- to medium-sized organisations. According to HESA, 85% of Nottingham graduates are in work or further education.
Image Credit
University College London (UCL)
Great course with a huge range of job prospects.
UCL and Students' Union UCL work together to run a skills development programme called 'Skills Sessions' for students throughout the year. This is available to all students, and includes employer visits, CV writing workshops and mock interviews. 90% of graduates from UCL are in work or further study (HESA).
Image Credit
University of Portsmouth
the course is very interesting and has good job prospects
At the University of Portsmouth, 89% of graduates are in work or further study (HESA). This figure is a representation of the high quality support students receive whilst at university in Portsmouth. The Careers and Employability Service promotes part-time work, volunteering opportunities and graduates roles to all students, as well as one-to-one consultancy sessions.
Image Credit
University of Exeter
Enables me to go into the job market with a competitive stance. Enjoyable and fun course.
The University of Exeter has strong links to hundreds of international, national and regional employers. Job prospects support includes careers fairs and other events, so students can meet future employers. Additionally, employability modules are included in the curriculum across all subject areas and degree programmes. This reflects in statistics as 90% of graduates from the University of Exeter are in work or further study (HESA).
Image Credit
Newcastle University
The course is great, the teachers are too. The level of education provided is amazing and the job prospects post uni are so rich and diverse
All students at Newcastle University have access to drop-in CV clinics, online resources and advice on their future employment. The excellent careers service at Newcastle University has proven effective, as 89% of graduates are in work or further study (HESA). Graduates at Newcastle benefit from careers support for three years after graduation, as well as business start-up support and guidance.
Image Credit
University of Chester
Good if you want to mix your business knowledge with accountancy and finance. Very broad job prospects too after the course I think
At the University of Chester, 91% of graduates are in work or further study (HESA). This is partly due to the quality Careers and Employability service offered to students, with employer contacts, group sessions and an industry-focused curriculum. Under-represented students also have access to Inspiring Futures, which hosts regular careers events and informs students of industry insights.
Image Credit
University of Warwick
This course is intense but has alot of job opportunities in the future.
The University of Warwick seeks to fulfil student career ambitions by giving them the skills and knowledge to excel in industry. Students have access to thousands of employer vacancies they can apply for, alongside CV advice and LinkedIn Profile guidance. 90% of graduates from the University of Warwick are in work or further study (HESA).
