When choosing a university, it’s important to think about lots of factors, from student experiences to reputation. One of the ways to weigh up a university is by how attractive its graduates are to employers.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the most popular universities for graduate employers, such as BBC, Google, Apple, Amazon, the Bank of England, Aldi, Microsoft and Dyson, to help you out. Using the most recent available data from High Fliers Research (as of Jan 2026), discover which unis attracted the largest number of top graduate recruiters for campus fairs, recruitment presentations or other local university promotions during 2024-2025.
Most popular universities for top graduate employers
The top UK universities targeted by famous graduate employers in the last year didn’t automatically flock to Oxbridge like many expect. Neither did the capital city of London. In fact it was the other UK cities that are home to the unis most attractive to employers. Find out if your uni is on the list!
1. University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham has long been a favourite with graduate employers thanks to its strong academic reputation, large student population and excellent industry links. Its location in the UK’s second city makes it especially attractive to employers in finance, engineering and professional services.
2. University of Manchester
Manchester consistently ranks as one of the most targeted universities by graduate employers. With strengths across business, engineering and science, plus a huge alumni network, it attracts major recruiters from across the UK and internationally.
3. University of Nottingham
Nottingham is well known for producing work-ready graduates, making it a popular choice for employers in business, law and the public sector. Its strong careers support and focus on employability skills help students stand out in competitive application processes.
4. University of Warwick
Warwick is a powerhouse for graduate recruitment, particularly in finance, consulting and tech. Its business school is one of the most respected in Europe, and many top employers actively target Warwick students for graduate schemes.
5. University of Bristol
Bristol combines academic prestige with creativity and innovation, which employers love. It is particularly attractive to recruiters in engineering, aerospace, media and technology-related industries.
6. University of Leeds
Leeds produces a large number of graduates every year, making it a key target for national employers. Strong links with law firms, financial institutions and corporate graduate schemes mean Leeds graduates are highly visible to recruiters.
7. University of Bath
Bath is consistently praised for graduate employability. Its strong emphasis on placements and real-world experience makes Bath graduates especially attractive to employers in engineering, management and science-based roles.
8. University of Exeter
Exeter has built a strong reputation with employers, particularly in finance, business and the civil service. Graduates are often valued for their academic grounding alongside strong communication and analytical skills.
9. Imperial College London
Imperial is one of the most employer-targeted universities in the world. STEM employers in particular actively recruit Imperial graduates, especially in engineering, medicine, data and technology.
10. Durham University
Durham is a major target for elite employers, especially in law, consulting and finance. Its academic rigour and traditional reputation continue to appeal strongly to top graduate recruiters.
11. University College London
UCL’s global reputation, London location and wide subject offering make it highly attractive to employers across multiple sectors, from finance and tech to healthcare, policy and research.
12. University of Southampton
Southampton is highly valued by engineering, science and maritime employers. Its research strengths and technical focus make it a frequent target for specialist graduate roles.
13. University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh combines academic excellence with strong international recognition. Employers particularly value its graduates in technology, data, engineering and finance-related fields.
14. University of Glasgow
Glasgow’s graduates are popular with employers thanks to strong teaching quality and an emphasis on transferable skills. It is especially well regarded in business, law and engineering.
15. University of Cambridge
Cambridge remains one of the most attractive universities for graduate employers globally. Its graduates are heavily recruited into finance, consulting, research and high-level technical roles.
16. King’s College London
King’s is especially attractive to employers in healthcare, law, international relations and business. Its central London location also gives students access to internships and networking opportunities throughout their degree.
17. Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary is increasingly targeted by employers, particularly in law, medicine and technology. Its strong research profile and London base give graduates a competitive edge.
18. University of Sheffield
Sheffield is highly regarded for engineering, manufacturing and data-driven disciplines. Employers value its practical focus and strong links between academia and industry.
19. University of Oxford
Oxford remains one of the most employer-targeted universities in the world. Graduates are heavily recruited across almost every sector, from finance and politics to technology and research.
20. University of Liverpool
Liverpool’s strong industry connections, particularly in life sciences, engineering and business, make it a popular choice for employers looking for well-rounded graduates.
FAQs on Graduate Employer Targeting at UK Universities
According to the latest High Fliers Research 2024 report, the top universities most targeted by graduate employers are the University of Birmingham, University of Manchester, University of Nottingham, University of Leeds, and University of Bristol — with Birmingham ranked first for employer engagement.
While Oxford and Cambridge are highly prestigious, they are not always the most targeted for direct recruitment. In the latest rankings, Oxford placed 15th and Cambridge 13th, behind universities like Birmingham, Manchester, and Nottingham, which have strong employer partnerships and larger graduate cohorts.
Globally, the University of Cambridge and University of Oxford lead for graduate employability, ranking in the top 10 worldwide. Imperial College London, LSE, and University College London also appear strongly in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings.
Graduate employers use careers fairs, assessment centres, guest lectures, sponsored projects, and networking events to connect with students. Many companies run tailored programmes at universities where they hire the most talent.
Not always. While a high-ranking university can boost your CV, job outcomes also depend on your degree subject, grades, work placements, and networking. Some lower-ranked universities excel in employability for specific industries.
Yes. Many top employers run on-campus recruitment events such as insight days, career talks, and networking evenings. These visits are especially common at universities with large graduate populations in fields like business, engineering, and tech.
Finance, consulting, technology, healthcare, law, and engineering are among the biggest recruiters. However, creative industries, start-ups, and the public sector are also growing employers for graduates from a variety of universities.
Absolutely. A placement or sandwich year provides real work experience and industry contacts, making graduates stand out to recruiters. Universities like Bath, Surrey, and Aston are well known for strong placement opportunities.
Not necessarily. While larger universities often attract more employer events, smaller universities with niche strengths or specialist courses can be highly valued in certain industries such as healthcare, design, or tech.
Students should use their careers service, attend employer events, complete internships or summer schemes, build a strong LinkedIn profile, and develop soft skills such as communication and teamwork to stand out in competitive fields.
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