10 of the Best UK Universities for Graduate Employability in 2019

Having achieved global recognition for its leadership in the social sciences, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is one of the world’s leading UK universities, boasting a high degree of excellence in both teaching and research.

Currently ranking joint 49^th in this year’s graduate employability rankings, LSE achieves remarkable scores across most graduate employability categories, with its highest score under the employer reputation indicator, at eighth in the world.

Located in the south-west of England and just under two hours away from London, the University of Bristol was founded in 1876, and is home to world-class teaching, cutting-edge global research, and strong industry connections.

The university has a worldwide alumni network of famous politicians, writers, journalists, scientists, musicians, and many more, and ranks 47^th in the world for graduate employability this year, gaining its highest score for employer reputation.

Ranked 29^th in the world according to this year’s world university rankings, the University of Manchester is a prestigious red brick and Russell Group university, offering over 1,000 degree programs in a variety of subject areas including the humanities, business, science, and engineering.

With 15 Nobel Prize winners among its current and former students and staff, the University of Manchester holds 35^th place in the world this year for graduate employability, achieving 20^th place for the employer reputation indicator.

As a world-renowned university with a prime focus on science, engineering, medicine, and business, Imperial College London is ranked eighth in the world in the QS university rankings. It was founded in 1907, however, its various constituent former medical schools (now wholly part of the university) were established as early as 1823.

Imperial College ranks joint 33^rd in the world for graduate employability this year, achieving an impressive seventh place for the employer reputation indicator – which is the indicator’s second-highest score of all the UK universities featured.

UCL (University College London) is recognized globally for its reputation in quality research and teaching, and excels in subjects such as medicine, astrophysics, law, engineering, languages, and history.

With 33 Nobel Laureates and counting amongst its alumni and faculty members, UCL ranks 18^th in this year’s graduate employability ranking and achieves its highest score in the employer reputation category, at 19^th.

As the world’s fifth best university according to the world university rankings, the University of Oxford continues to lead the league tables as the most prestigious UK university, together with its friendly rival Cambridge. With an academic pedigree tracing back to as early as the 11^th century, it’s the oldest university in the English-speaking world and comprises 44 colleges and halls, as well as the largest library system in the UK.

Oxford ranks 10^th in the world for graduate employability this year and scores perfect marks for employer reputation and alumni outcomes, with its third top score listed under partnerships with employers.

The list of famous Oxford alumni is endless, and includes world-renowned figures in science (such as the late Stephen Hawking), literature (C.S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien), politics (Bill Clinton and Benazir Bhutto), and business (Rupert Murdoch) – to name a few. 

With a history that spans 800 years, the University of Cambridge is the second-oldest University in the English-speaking world (after Oxford), and the fourth-oldest in the world. It consists of 31 autonomous colleges and excels in six academic schools which include arts and humanities, sciences, and technology.

Cambridge is the number one UK university for graduate employability this year, standing at seventh place. Just like Oxford, it leads the table for employer reputation, and scores a remarkable ninth place for alumni outcomes – which is no surprise, given its vast array of noteworthy alumni over the centuries, including influential scientist, mathematician and theologist Isaac Newton; famous British actor Hugh Laurie; and English broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough.

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