Best Universities for Job Prospects 2022

Through a combination of superb on-campus careers guidance service, phenomenal teaching and the option for students to add a placement year to their degrees, the University of East Anglia tops our list this year with fantastic graduate outcomes. The institution continues to run their highly successful ‘CareerCentral’ scheme, ensuring that graduates and students are supported as they begin their careers.

Graduates from Imperial College London continue to find success after university, with a staggering average graduate salary of £39,000 within six months of completing their degree. With a focus on producing high quality graduates in Computer Science, Medicine and Engineering, graduates from ICL can expect fantastic careers support all the way from planning to application and interview guidance.

Rounding out the top three this year is Ulster University, whose focus on securing academic placements has led to 94% of graduates either starting their careers or continuing to further study within six months of graduation. Students at Ulster praise the personable and caring careers team in their reviews, who help students to find positions where they can excel and demonstrate what they have learnt over the duration of their degree.

As the top university in Scotland for Student Employability, Robert Gordon deserves to retain its top 10 spot on our list. Through its extensive ‘eHub’ careers portal, and supporting students through academic placements, RGU assists students in learning the real world skills required to excel post-graduation. The university has excellent links to industry, pairing graduates with companies where they can get the best possible start to their careers.

Students at St Andrews continue to rate their education positively, stating that the high quality of teaching leads to excellent employment outcomes. With a typical graduate salary of between £27,000 and £30,000, and a supportive careers service, those studying at St Andrews can be confident that their time studying in Scotland is setting them up for career success.

Liverpool boasts an award-winning careers and employability service, dedicated to giving its graduates a head start in the job market through a variety of seminars, career fairs and interview practice. Impressively, 88% of all Liverpool graduates are in work or further study within six months of completing their degrees, with students singing the praises of Liverpool's careers services in their reviews.

Graduates from the University of Cardiff can access its extensive careers advice and support for up to three years after graduation. With careers coaching sessions, trial interviews and access to graduate resources and support, students at Cardiff are set up well to succeed in their careers. Students praise the careers service offered in their reviews, citing that staff are keen to help and want students to succeed.

Scoring above average in almost every metric of graduate employability, GCU thoroughly deserves its spot in our top 10. With 93% of students either in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating, Glasgow Caledonian University proves that their superb education programmes, coupled with an extensive careers network providing a wide range of services, produces graduates in high demand across the professional world.

With supportive staff and great teaching, Staffordshire University graduates continue to do well after graduation. With a large focus on vocational careers, Staffordshire are able to tailor their careers advice with specific knowledge and guidance, helping to guide graduates into their dream roles. Students at Staffordshire can expect an average salary of £25,000 after graduating.

Rounding out the top 10 is Newcastle University, whose careers guidance service and excellent teaching has seen them feature on this list for another year. Students have praised Newcastle's careers support network in their reviews, with assistance ranging from CV help through to mock interviews. 94% of graduates from Newcastle are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their degrees.

The University of Reading moved back into the top 20 this year, with reviews brimming with praise for their competent and proactive careers services. With 94% of students either employed or in further education within 15 months of finishing their degrees, Reading's focus on relevance within its courses leads to graduates being set up to succeed in roles across various industries.

Students continue to maintain that Aston’s ‘first priority is employability’, with the institution continuing to support students with tailored career guidance and a curriculum built around relevance and industry skills. That level of commitment is reflected in salaries too, with graduates from Aston able to expect an average salary of £28,000 when they finish their degree.

Loughborough University aims to ensure that graduates are equipped with all the skills and knowledge they need to tackle every aspect of their life and career. Through a well-optimised focus on placements, Loughborough allows students to develop relationships with companies before they even graduate. The university is ranked top 10 in graduate outcome across all of the major league tables.

With a staggering 97% of graduates in work or further education within six months of graduating, Lancaster is thoroughly deserving of a top 20 placing. The universities 'CareerAhead' service helps academic students to become more confident in their abilities, equipping them with interview, teamwork, problem-solving and communication skills. Students review the careers service as "incredible" and value the assistance that is continued after graduation.

Northumbria believes that hands-on experience is critical in developing the confidence, stamina and determination required to do well in life after graduation. Through providing live projects with real companies for students to work on, as well as a whole host of placement opportunities, NU provides its students with opportunities to develop these skills. The institution is ranked top 25 in the UK for graduate outcomes in highly-skilled employment.

With fantastic links to well-regarded companies and a dedicated careers service, Cardiff Metropolitan University has managed to attain an almost 95% employment or further education status for its graduates. High praise is attributed by students to the careers network, which is staffed by people who want to see students succeed and released into spaces where they fulfil their potential.

With a strategy based around drawing out and developing students' natural attributes and skills, Sheffield has elicited praise for its personable and individual approach to developing students. Through their dedicated ‘MySkills’ platform, students are encouraged to record and develop their abilities, with the aim of increasing employability. This focus on developing individuals creates highly employable and independent graduates.

Running regular employer events on campus and plenty of volunteer opportunities seems to have worked for Warwick, who have achieved an average graduate salary of over £30,000. With an extensive careers support network, they’re able to provide in-depth support to students, helping them to target and prepare for the positions they desire after graduation.

Featuring in our top 20 is Liverpool Hope University, with students quick to praise their careers advice services. The institution promotes placement years amongst its students to allow them to build relationships with companies before they graduate. The careers team at LHU allows students to focus on short, medium and long-term goals, setting them up for success in the workplace.

Norwich has managed to find great success in leading creative students to employment, with a strong support network of tutors and career professionals guiding applicants through a historically-tough process. The university has fantastic links to industry and has secured itself as a reputable source of creative graduates. Students at NUA are able to harness these powerful industry connections to secure competitive roles in creative workplaces.