10 of the best universities in the world for employability

Choosing a university can be a daunting decision under normal circumstances, but the COVID-19 outbreak is causing even more challenges as students choose where to spend the next few years of their tertiary education. 

According to the International Student Survey 2020, more than 70 percent of students deciding where to study will prioritise a course that is linked to their future career. The pandemic outbreak has only increased focus on career prospects and opportunities, so it makes sense to choose a university with a strong record of producing employable graduates. 

 The graduate employability section of QS Stars measures how successfully each institution’s graduates find work, allowing students to identify universities which are good at preparing their students for the challenges of finding work. 

Measuring employability with QS Stars 

Universities are assessed for employability using three key criteria: 

• Employer reputation or campus employer presence: Universities must either have received nominations from employers through the QS Global Employer Survey or be able to demonstrate significant numbers of employers have attended campus events in the last year 

• Graduate employment rate: How many graduates have found employment or started a business within two years of graduation? 

• Careers service support: This looks at several factors, from the number of career counsellors at the university, to the availability of career interview training, careers fairs and online career portals. 

Wondering which universities are among the best in the world for employability? More than 100 universities have achieved a perfect rating for employability in QS Stars. We’ve highlighted 10 of them below, all of which also feature in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings. 

University of Bristol 

One of the top universities in the UK, the University of Bristol is also one of the most targeted institutions by leading UK employers. The university’s careers service offers students an array of online resources including tools to help prepare for employer selection activities (e.g. interviews). Some faculties, such as engineering and law, have dedicated mentoring schemes and established industry connections which students can take advantage of. 

University of Canterbury 

The second oldest university in New Zealand, the University of Canterbury has regular careers fairs and events on campus. This year, employers present at these events will include Deloitte, EY, PwC New Zealand, DLA Piper NZ, and Schick Civil Construction. 

Coventry University 

The second university from the UK to feature in our list, Coventry University offers “career-focused” education to all its students and helps graduates find work through its dedicated recruitment agency thefutureworks. The agency connects graduates with local employers, such as Serco Integrated Services, ACS and ExactLogistics. 

Universidad de los Andes 

The University of Los Andes in Colombia provides an interdisciplinary education that ensures students graduate with the skills required in a modern workplace. As well as possessing a strong research focus, the university and its students also benefit from a vast international network of employers and other institutions. 

Universiti Malaya (UM) 

The University of Malaya (UM) is the oldest university in Malaysia and one of the most well-regarded too, having produced three Malaysian prime ministers among its alumni. The newly established Careers & Industrial Relationships unit at the university aims to provide students with career-related skills and to help them learn how to assess and compare different job opportunities. 

North Carolina State University 

Studying in the US is often seen as a fantastic way to progress in your career and that’s certainly true at North Carolina State University. The university works with over 60 public and private partners on initiatives aimed to kick-start the local and national economies, and thousands of jobs across both the US can be linked to research originating from North Carolina State University. 

Ritsumeikan University 

Located in the beautiful and historic city of Kyoto, Ritsumeikan University is one of four leading private universities in Japan. A wide range of career planning events occur on campus every year, with support services for international students offered in both English and Japanese. Students can take advantage of individual career counselling as well as workshops, networking events and seminars. 

RMIT University 

RMIT University, located in the city of Melbourne, is frequently ranked among the world’s top universities for producing employable graduates. Today, its alumni community spans the globe and contains more than 280,000 members. Students also benefit from one of the largest career mentoring programs in Australia. 

RUDN University 

Also known as the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, RUDN University began life as an institution offering higher education and career development opportunities to students from the Third World. Today, the university continues to offer learning and career pathways for international students, with internships available at Russian companies for all students. The university also holds regular careers events and conferences with global employers. 

University of Jordan 

The largest higher education institution in Jordan, the University of Jordan is well-placed to help its graduates enter the global workplace. Regular career counselling courses are offered by the university, and students can also take advantage of volunteering opportunities and Injaz Foundation