University of London Member Recognised for Graduate Employability and Earnings

Employers Rank Queen Mary Among Leading Institutions for Career Preparedness

Queen Mary University London achieved unparalleled success in generating employment for its students in the University Compare UK University Employability Rankings 2026. The university secured 11th position and improved by 13 places from the previous year. The ranking was based on alumni opinions and assessed how universities trained their students with the required skills to thrive in the marketplace after completing their degree. However, this rising trend was reflected in the Graduate Market in 2025 by High Fliers Research, where Queen Mary was ranked 17th nationally. The report provides an annual snapshot of graduate recruitment trends and provides information on vacancies, starting salaries and preferences from employers across the UK. The university secured a rank in the top 20 for the first time in 2020 and has maintained the ranking for six years continuously, representing stable performance in graduating students for competitive University Jobs and Science and Innovation careers.

Moreover, Queen Mary’s Strategy 2030 confirmed that career development is an integral part of its planning, mainly focusing on how students will be successful in their careers after graduation. Under the strategy, the university provides a tailored careers service available for up to two years after their graduation, with formal opportunities in placements, internships, employer visits, volunteering and community engagement. Entrepreneurial assistance is also central, provided through a stand-alone incubator and student enterprise award, alongside postgraduate courses like the MSc in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management.

Additionally, independent rankings have validated Queen Mary’s employability credentials. The Daily Mail placed the university 12th in the UK for graduate earnings, while the Telegraph ranked two of its subjects in first position nationally. These outcomes reinforce the institution’s reputation for delivering high-impact Postgraduate Degrees and undergraduate programmes that translate into tangible career success. Reportedly, approximately 93% of graduates of Queen Mary progress into employment or further study and secure high-paying jobs. Alumni joined with leading employers such as Cisco, Deloitte, J.P. Morgan, Santander, and Goldman Sachs, with average starting salaries estimated at £34,500 per annum. These impressive figures reflect the university’s growing appeal among recruiters and its ability to equip students with the skills and experience required in today’s job market.

Institutionally, Queen Mary University London continues to distinguish itself within the University of London network. It is the only campus-based Russell Group university in London, offering a distinctive student experience across the Queen Mary Campus. The university’s inclusive ethos is reflected in its diversity profile: students represent over 170 nationalities, with 90% of home students educated in state schools and 49% being first-generation university entrants. This commitment to widening participation has earned Queen Mary recognition as the best UK university for social mobility, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies and Sutton Trust.

Globally, Queen Mary has a diverse group of International Students, currently making up 41% of the student population. Its global reach is represented through campuses and partnerships in Paris, Malta, Singapore, and China, making it among the top Global Universities. Its postgraduate package is also strong, with flagship Postgraduate Courses in AI, Business Analytics, Law, and Finance, and fees from £26,750 to £36,276.

In innovation and research, Queen Mary has recorded sector-leading performance. Based on the REF 2021 exercise, 92% of its research was categorised as internationally excellent or world-leading, placing it in 7th position in the UK for research outputs. Entrepreneurial activity has also flourished, with Queen Mary being 4th in the UK for innovation impact (Octopus Ventures, 2020) and generating £170 million in revenue over a span of five years through its commercial division, Queen Mary Innovation Ltd.

Queen Mary University London President and Principal Professor Colin Bailey CBE has attributed the school's sustained recognition to its strategic focus on inclusivity and excellence as well as employability. Professor Bailey clarified that employers would always place Queen Mary graduates very high in terms of academic rigour, intellectual diversity, and readiness to deliver real-value-added contributions to high-organisation settings. Queen Mary's climb in employability rankings is not just a statistical success; it is the culmination of an extended institutional dedication to student achievement, social mobility, and worldwide relevance. As the UK higher education landscape continues to shift, Queen Mary University London is an example of how intentional investment in careers, research, and inclusion can be translated into real-world influence. For graduates, for employers, and for the broader academic community, the message is clear: Queen Mary graduates are not only ready, they are set to lead.

Editor’s Note:

Queen Mary University of London's ascent of 13 places to 11th in the UK Employability Rankings is a testament to its consistent efforts, not a mere coincidence. It is a result of years of deliberate investment in students' careers, employer collaboration, and education for all. This is not about statistics; it's about results. With 93% of our graduates going into work or further study, and repeated endorsement by leading employers, Queen Mary is clearly making good on its promise. The university's own tailored careers service, offered for two years post-graduation, and partnerships with placements, internships, and enterprise provision, demonstrate a clear commitment to readying students for life after campus life. Its ongoing inclusion within the Graduate Market report and high graduate pay rankings only serve to further attest to this. What's particularly remarkable is Queen Mary's record in social mobility. With the distinction of being London's sole campus-based Russell Group university, it balances academic distinction with accessibility, opening its doors to students from varied backgrounds and converting potential into reality.

As per Skoobuzz, Queen Mary is pioneering change in a sector often criticised for its slow pace of adaptation. This accomplishment underscores that employability is not merely rhetoric but a fundamental responsibility.

FAQs

1. Why is Queen Mary ranked among the top UK universities for employers? 

Queen Mary University London is ranked 11th in the University Compare UK Employability Rankings 2026, having risen 13 places from the previous year. It is also placed 17th in the Graduate Market in 2025 report by High Fliers Research. These rankings reflect employer recognition of Queen Mary graduates’ preparedness, diversity of thought, and academic rigour. The university’s consistent presence in the top 20 since 2020 highlights its sustained appeal to leading employers such as Deloitte, Cisco, Goldman Sachs, and J.P. Morgan.

2. How does Queen Mary University support graduate employability?

Queen Mary’s Strategy 2030 places graduate success at its core. The university offers a personalised careers service available for up to two years after graduation, alongside structured opportunities in placements, internships, employer visits, volunteering, and community engagement. Entrepreneurial students benefit from a dedicated incubator and enterprise awards. Graduate outcomes data show that 93% of Queen Mary graduates enter employment or further study shortly after completing their degrees.

3. What are the best postgraduate courses at Queen Mary University of London? 

Queen Mary offers a wide range of high-impact Postgraduate Degrees, with standout programmes in:

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

• Business Analytics

• Law (LLM)

• Finance and Investment

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management

• Tuition fees for international postgraduate students typically range from £26,750 to £36,276, depending on the course and faculty.

4. How does Queen Mary compare to other top UK universities?

Queen Mary is a member of the Russell Group, and notably the only campus-based Russell Group university in London. It ranks 12th in the UK for graduate earnings (Daily Mail) and has two subjects ranked first nationally for earnings (Telegraph). In the REF 2021 exercise, 92% of its research was rated internationally excellent or world-leading, placing it 7th in the UK for research output. Its social mobility record is sector-leading, with 49% of students being first-generation university entrants.

5. What opportunities do international students have at Queen Mary?

International students make up 41% of Queen Mary’s student body, representing over 170 nationalities. They benefit from:

• Access to the full Queen Mary Campus experience in London

• Global partnerships and study options in Paris, Malta, Singapore, and China

• Tailored support services, including visa guidance, career mentoring, and postgraduate funding

• Entry into a diverse academic community with strong links to Global Universities and Research Institutes