press release
Published: 17 September 2021

University of Surrey becomes “University of the Year for Graduate Employment”

The University of Surrey has been awarded the prestigious accolade of University of the Year for Graduate Employment in the Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide for 2022. 

 

The award recognises the University’s consistently high performance in the employability of its graduates.

Graduate Outcomes data collected by the Higher Education Standards Agency (HESA) rates the University of Surrey’s graduates as amongst the most employable in the UK, and second only to the University of Oxford in the southeast of England. These outcomes are a result of a consistent focus on preparing our students for employment in our curriculum, our successful Professional Training Year and other placement schemes and the excellent support provided by our Employability and Careers team – exemplified by the University winning the Best University Placement Service in the National Undergraduate Employability Awards three years in a row.

We also ranked first in the UK and 12th in the world for work placements and research partnerships with employers, according to the globally respected QS World Employability Rankings 2020.

This summer, we introduced 50 new funded internships for our students, focused on under-represented groups to help boost their employment prospects when they graduate – and we will look to grow this scheme in the years to come.

Professor Graham Miller, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean

Professor Graham Miller, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean, University lead on employability at the University of Surrey, said:

“We have always placed a huge emphasis on developing the employability of our graduates, and we are always proud when the impact of this for our graduates is recognised. We are also proud of the data that shows approaching 90 per cent of our graduates consistently finding higher-skilled work. We will continue to invest and innovate to ensure our graduates always have an advantage in the ever-changing jobs market.

Alastair McCall, Editor of The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said:

“Surrey has an enviable record in the graduate jobs market, with consistently large numbers of graduates going into high-skilled jobs when they leave. This is no accident; the pathways to their later success are laid down during their studies. The university has an exceptional placement programme for its students and is renowned for working closely with the business community. In an increasingly competitive graduate jobs market, a degree from the University of Surrey opens doors.” 

Frances Gow, Head of Employability and Careers at the University of Surrey, said: 

“This award is recognition of a consistent effort across the whole university. We have a mission to develop talented and highly sought-after global students and graduates. We’re delivering on that through excellence in employability, career management skills and entrepreneurship support, supported by practice-centred learning, our award-winning placement service and the creation of opportunities with local, national and international employers through relationships constantly built and nurtured by hundreds of colleagues.” 

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