Manchester Climbs in QS and THE Rankings, Stays Top Choice for Employers

Graduate Employers Name Manchester Among UK’s Most Targeted Universities

The Graduate Market in 2025 is an authoritative annual report published by High Fliers Research, which has once highlighted the University of Manchester as one of the leading universities in the UK for graduate recruitment. Now in its 21st year, the report offers a detailed analysis of graduate job trends across the United Kingdom, drawing on research conducted with 100 of the country’s leading employers. The newest edition reports that Manchester has retained the position of the second most popular UK university with graduate employers, just behind the University of Birmingham, and ahead of other excellent institutions such as Nottingham, Warwick, and Bristol. Thus, the recognition speaks to Manchester's consistent desirability amongst the competitive clientele of higher education rankings.

The report also said that the five institutions absorbing the most employer engagement during the academic cycle 2024-2025 were host to all manner of engagement from locally organised publicity campaigns, university career fairs, employer-led on-campus presentations, careers service promotions, and bespoke virtual events designed for each university.

In that light, Professor Duncan Ivison would have stressed that it was understood to be so by the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester, that the view of employers consistently favouring Manchester graduates was built not only on their academic abilities but also on their being creative and having a global perspective. It was further reported that he regarded graduate employability as a key indicator of institutional success, with a view that the "Manchester experience"-which couples teaching and research excellence with a strong social responsibility ethos-grooms students towards meaningful contribution to the workforce beginning from day one.

Apart from its graduate recruitment credentials, the University of Manchester continues to perform well in both national and world university ratings. Second in Morocco's Times Higher Education World University Rankings for impact in 2025 and 53rd in THE's overall world listing, the institution also rose to 46th globally and 13th in Europe in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) while placing 35th globally and 11th in Europe in the QS World University Rankings. Notably, it ranked 9th globally in the QS Sustainability Rankings, boosting its reputation further among international students in search of socially responsible yet academically rigorous postgraduate courses. The University of Manchester remains a leading choice for students who have the most appreciation of academic excellence, career readiness, and a lively student life in one of the most vibrant higher education settings in the UK due to its further success in employer engagement as well as global performance metrics.

Editor’s Note:

The University of Manchester’s continued success in graduate recruitment and global rankings, as reported in The Graduate Market in 2025, a respected annual publication by High Fliers Research. Now in its 21st year, the report draws on feedback from 100 leading UK employers and offers valuable insight into graduate job trends across the country. Manchester has retained its position as the second most targeted UK university by graduate employers, just behind Birmingham and ahead of Nottingham, Warwick and Bristol. This recognition reflects the university’s strong reputation within the competitive landscape of higher education rankings. The report also notes that the top five universities enjoyed significant levels of employer participation during the academic year 2024-2025. Some of the activities included career fairs, presentations on their campuses, career service promotions, and custom virtual events. Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester, is understood to have mentioned that employers value Manchester graduates not only for their academic prowess. Still, at the same time, he even regarded their creativity and thus spoke of their global outlook. He used the term graduate employability as one of the key measures he said institutes are successful at. He continues to note that "the Manchester experience" brings students fully prepared to meaningfully engage with the workforce from day one. Apart from being a very market-relevant institution, the University of Manchester has also performed very well in world rankings. Its second place in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for 2025 has also placed it at 53 in the overall global list published by THE. Furthermore, it is ranked 46th out of the 100 universities worldwide and 13th in Europe in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), and in the Global QS World University Rankings, it occupies the position of 35th worldwide and 11th in Europe. On the other hand, its 9th position in the QS Sustainability Rankings adds further attractiveness to the international students looking for socially responsible but academically rigorous postgraduate programs.

According to Skoobuzz, the University of Manchester is also one of the best universities for students who would like to excel in academics, be industry-ready, and also be a part of a vibrant student ambience in one of the most dynamically exciting setups of universities in the UK.

FAQs

1. What is the University of Manchester’s ranking in the UK

The University of Manchester is regularly ranked among the top universities in the UK. In recent national listings, it has placed within the top ten, with strong performance in areas such as research quality, teaching standards, and graduate outcomes. Its consistent presence in global rankings also reflects its high standing within the UK higher education sector.

2. Why is the University of Manchester popular with employers

Employers value Manchester graduates for their academic strength, creativity, and global perspective. The university runs a wide range of career events, including employer presentations, careers fairs, and virtual sessions, which help students connect with recruiters. Graduates are seen as well-prepared for the workplace, with practical skills and a strong sense of social responsibility.

3. How does UK university ranking work

UK university rankings are based on several factors, including student satisfaction, entry requirements, research output, graduate prospects, and investment in facilities. Different organisations use their own methods to assess universities, but most rankings aim to help students compare institutions and make informed choices about where to study.

4. What graduate jobs do Manchester students get

Manchester graduates enter a wide range of careers, including finance, law, engineering, healthcare, education, and public service. Many join structured graduate schemes with major employers, while others take up roles in charities, media, and technology. The university also offers its own graduate talent programme, helping students find paid roles within the institution and local organisations.

5. Is the University of Manchester good for international students

Yes, the University of Manchester is highly regarded by international students. It has a large and diverse student body, with learners from over 170 countries. The university offers strong academic support, guaranteed accommodation for eligible students, and a wide range of scholarships. Its global reputation, inclusive campus, and vibrant city life make it a popular choice for those studying from abroad.