UoG among best UK universities for graduate outcomes

A survey conducted by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) has found that 94.8% of University of Gloucestershire graduates are in employment or further study 15 months after leaving university. This figure puts the University amongst the best in the country.

These glowing results represent a continuation of an already strong performance and are well above the sector average, placing the University third in the South West and 27th in the country for this important measure.

The Graduate Outcomes Survey is the biggest UK survey of its kind and tracks the progress of recent graduates after leaving university. All those who graduated in 2022/23 were invited to take part in the survey, 15 months after they finished their studies. The survey aims to help inform choices of current and future students by giving an insight into career destinations and development paths.

The survey’s key findings include:

• 94.8% of graduates from the University reported being employed or undertaking further study.  
• More than 70% of University of Gloucestershire graduates secured employment classified as “highly skilled” or went into further study.

Amongst the set of highly positive results, subject groups performing particularly well include Language and Area Studies, which ranked joint top nationally; Geography and Environmental Studies and Engineering and Technology, which both ranked 2nd nationally; and Law, which ranked joint 3rd. In each of these subject areas, 100% of University of Gloucestershire graduates reported being in employment or further study.

Subjects Allied to Medicine and Biological and Sports Sciences also performed well, with graduate outcomes being amongst the best in the country; 99.7% and 94.4% of graduates reported being in employment or further study, respectively.

Dame Clare Marchant DBE, Vice-Chancellor and CEO of University of Gloucestershire, said: “We couldn’t be prouder of our outstanding alumni and their incredible success – congratulations to you all.

“Graduate outcomes are one of the clearest indicators of a university’s impact, and these latest results are exceptional. They show that our students are thriving during their studies and launching into exciting, fulfilling careers. We’re delighted to once again be recognised among the top universities in the country.

“These results not only speak volumes about the calibre of our graduates, they also reflect the success of our Connected University approach, which puts career readiness at the heart of everything we do. We make three promises to our students: connections, accommodation, and careers. We embed real-world experience into courses through work-related learning and offer a rich programme of career development opportunities beyond the classroom.

“By building strong industry and employer links, we ensure our students are not just prepared for the world of work—they’re stepping into it with confidence, ambition and purpose.”

Any University of Gloucestershire graduate who is not in a job six months after graduating is guaranteed six months of free support, followed by the offer of a paid internship to kickstart their career. The University also offers lifetime career coaching to all graduates.

These Graduate Outcomes Survey results come amid a highly successful year for University of Gloucestershire. Last month the University revealed it had risen 16 places in the Complete University Guide and earlier this month it announced improvements in its results in the National Student Survey.