If you have big ambitions of landing a great job when you graduate university, choosing the right institution to study at is a really important step.
Employers around the world are looking for work-ready graduates from amazing universities that have strong industry links. But which universities are these exactly? Which will give you the best chance of getting a great job after you’ve graduated?
The Times Higher Education Global Employability survey ranks universities according to the number of graduates who get a job in their field as soon as they receive that all-important degree.
Below, we take a deep dive into the top 10 universities in the world for graduate employability in 2025…
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US
MIT was founded in response to the growing need for a workforce qualified to fuel the city’s industrial revolution, so it’s no surprise it does well in this ranking – it has a long history of giving students the skills demanded by the job market.
Its specialist STEM focus sees MIT score highly in the eyes of employers. The college is also beginning to top university league tables across other metrics, too, boosting its global reputation, and the job prospects of its graduates.
Keen to study here? Check out our range of MIT off-campus housing.
2. California Institute of Technology, US
The California Institute of Technology is a small, private university in the US, but its size does not mirror its influence in the jobs market. The college’s focus on science and technology subjects means its graduates, of which there are less than 1,000 a year, are well equipped with specialist skills to bring to the workplace.
This was key to Caltech’s high-ranking position; employers who took part in the survey said that specialist knowledge was the most important thing they look for in graduates. It also ranks among the best universities in the US across all performance indicators.
3. Stanford University, US
The second Californian institution in the list, Stanford University is located around 30 miles from the global epicentre of the tech industry: San Francisco. Its location outside the city hasn’t stopped the college from building and maintaining close ties with major companies, and its international prestige as one of the best universities in the world stands its graduates in good stead when it comes to finding work.
Stanford’s law students fare particularly well in the employment stakes; recent research found 97% of its law students were employed by the time they attended their graduation ceremonies.
4. Harvard University, US
Harvard University is one of the most famous colleges in the world. Located near Boston in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and with hundreds of years of influence and excellence in higher education, it’s not surprising to see its graduates at the top of the list for employment prospects. Above all, the institution’s brand is the key to its success in the rankings; employers around the world recognise Harvard as a leading university and clamber to hire their graduates.
US universities dominate this year’s ranking, thanks in part to employer perceptions of the country’s higher education system: they rate the work-readiness of graduates more highly than in any other developed economy.
Want to study at this university? Explore our range of Harvard off-campus housing.
5. University of Cambridge, UK
Cambridge, UK is home to one of the world’s oldest universities and has a global reputation for its leading research programmes. Its high standards and tough entry exams mean its alumni are sought after in the job market both in the UK and abroad.
The university dropped one spot compared to the previous year, seemingly as employer perceptions of US universities have improved.
Moving to the UK for your studies? Check out our University of Cambridge accommodation.
6. Princeton University, US
Originally founded in 1746 to train ministers, Princeton is now globally famous for its research and teaching excellence, with a humanities department that is among the very best in the world.
Recent research found that 89% of its graduates were employed or continuing their education within six months of leaving Princeton.
7. University of Oxford, UK
Along with Cambridge, the University of Oxford has a claim to being the UK’s most prestigious, and one of the top universities in the world.
The university attracts students from around the world (a huge 45% of its students are from overseas) and its reputation among employers is no doubt part of its appeal.
Keen to study here? Check out our University of Oxford accommodation.
8. University of Tokyo, Japan
One of two Asian universities on this list, the University of Tokyo is Japan’s top university and an excellent place to study if you’re looking to boost your employment prospects.
It’s also Japan’s oldest imperial university and has a long history of producing Nobel Prize winners, prime ministers and other influential figures.
Heading to Japan for university? Browse our student housing in Tokyo.
9. National University of Singapore, Singapore
Founded in 1905, the National University of Singapore is Singapore’s oldest country and the second university based in Asia on this list.
It’s an extremely prestigious university, ranking in the top 10 globally for a number of subjects along with graduate employment prospects.
If you’re interested in applying here, we have an amazing range of apartments near the National University of Singapore.
10. Imperial College London, UK
Rounding off the list, Imperial College London is the only university from the UK capital to make the top 10. It’s primarily known for its focus on science, engineering, medicine and business.
The appeal of London is no doubt a key factor for employers who value graduates able to operate in a truly global, cosmopolitan environment.
Want to study here? Explore our selection of ICL accommodation.
Your student journey awaits…
The university rankings were based on the votes of more than 2,000 recruiters and over 2,000 managing directors of international companies across 20 countries. It found that the area of degree specialisation is the most important criterion that employers consider in graduate applicants.
Once you’ve chosen where to study, you’ll need to find some accommodation. You’ve come to the right place for that! Here at Student.com we offer student accommodation in hundreds of cities around the world, so wherever you’re going to study, there’s a good chance we list some properties there.
i want to study in any one of the above list university. after graduation i can work any country and place.
The page is so nice…may I ask how can I get scholarship in one of those institutions…
This is great, thanks!
How do I get a scholarship to study in uk
Thank you.
pls I’ll love to study abroad, am a Nigerian I finished secondary school 2011 but can’t secure admission…. I need your help,a less expensive one and were I can do a per term job to sustain myself too,pls am waiting your reoly
very incorrect list. 150 from around the world including Notthingham and Bristol in UK, and Durham is missing. when Durham is one of the 25 world universities that blue chip companies target their graduate
University of Tokyo, Japan – my favourite…