We're one of the best universities for student employability

17 Aug 2016

The University has been named among the very best for its students gaining employment after graduating, in a survey of individuals who recently completed their courses

The statistics for graduate-level work put the University top in the region, and fifth overall, in the rankings of the prestigious Russell Group of UK universities.

Every UK university is required to conduct the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey on behalf of the Higher Education Statistics Agency. It provides essential statistics on the employment and further study activities of higher education leavers, which are used to construct league tables and in publications such as The Times’ Good University Guide.

The University also utilises the data for statistical and research purposes, and its Careers Service uses it to help students and graduates to plan their futures.

The latest data for Manchester shows that 94% of its UK, full-time, first degree graduates were working or studying after six months, and that 82% were in graduate-level jobs and/or study.

In addition, 92% of graduates reported that they felt the University prepared them well for further study, and 85% felt that it prepared them well for future employment.

Sophia Bischof graduated last year from her Marketing course, and is now on an international graduate trainee programme with Barry Callebaut, one of the world's largest cocoa producers. “I was surrounded in Manchester by great staff, respected researchers in their fields, ambitious classmates and great facilities,” she said. “It was a tough course, but the marketing and business knowledge I gained was a great foundation for the working world. I believe that Manchester gives you the whole package that you’re looking for as a student.”

Frank Sowerby Thomas graduated last year from his European Studies with a Modern Language degree. “There is a really great careers service that I had access to, both while I was at Manchester and for some time afterwards, and they have a lot of resources to help students out,” he said. “The sales role I am now in is exactly the sort of job I was hoping to get, but if and when I look for other opportunities in years to come, I’m confident that with the tools I picked up at Manchester, I’ll be able to go wherever I want.”

Tammy Goldfeld, Head of the Careers Service, said: “These latest results clearly show that our students are increasingly landing excellent jobs after graduation. We are the most targeted university in the UK by graduate recruiters, and we work hard to prepare our students for entering the competitive graduate market.”