Times Higher Education recently released the Global University Employability Ranking 2020. The THE ranking showcases the 250 universities with the highest graduate employability worldwide, whose graduates are highly favored by top employers in various industries.
We will also interpret this ranking; come see how your dream school fares in employability!
Ranking Methodology
This survey was designed by the French human resources consultancy Emerging, collecting votes and ratings from nearly 9,000 employers in 22 countries on 6,000 universities, generating 108,255 votes.
Ultimately, 250 universities from 43 countries and regions made the list.
Overview of Top 30 in Employability
Top 10: US Leads, US and UK Dominate Half
The top three universities in employability this year are still American: Caltech (1st), MIT (2nd), and Harvard (3rd).
The UK's Cambridge and Oxford follow closely, ranking 4th and 5th respectively. This marks Oxford's return to the Top 10 after placing 11th last year.
Stanford University (7th) and Yale University (10th) also made the Top 10.
In addition, some universities outside the US and UK also performed impressively: the University of Tokyo jumped from 12th in 2015 to 6th; the University of Toronto returned to the Top 10 for the first time in five years, ranking 8th; and the National University of Singapore also entered the Top 10, placing 9th.
Top 30: More Diversified, with Some Universities Rising Significantly
The universities ranked 11-30 in global employability are spread across 13 countries, indicating that employers are selecting graduates from a broader and more diverse pool.
Universities with rapid rises this year include Nanyang Technological University (29th), University of British Columbia (28th), and École Centrale Paris (22nd), some jumping over 40 spots.
Spain's IE University also performed well, having been in the Top 25 for five consecutive years. It boasts one of the best business schools in Europe.
Furthermore, Australian National University returned to the Top 15 for the first time since 2013.
Overview of Universities by Country
United States: 51 Universities on the List, Leading the World
In the 2020 Global University Employability Ranking, a total of 51 US universities made the list, with 5 occupying the top 10.
Take this year's No. 1 Caltech, for example. A high proportion of students find jobs immediately after graduation, and many are recruited even before graduating. The school's career center offers networking opportunities and organizes two career fairs each year (each fair attracts about 150 employers) to help students smoothly transition into employment.
MIT, ranked 2nd, leads technological innovation of our time. It collaborates deeply with companies in fields like computer science, biotechnology, and finance, including R&D applications such as 3D printing and bionic prosthetics. MIT counts 89 Nobel laureates among its alumni.
Harvard, ranked 3rd, is not only a globally recognized top academic institution but also widely favored by employers. The university's strong alumni network provides valuable connections for graduate employment.
Beyond these well-known powerhouses, New York University, which came in at 11th, also performed impressively, a reflection of its traditionally pragmatic approach.
Additionally, Northeastern University saw a remarkable rise, jumping from 224th to 148th. Its career center provides robust support for student employment.
Tuition at US universities varies by institution, and is especially expensive for international students. Choosing schools with strong employability and high return on investment becomes all the more important.
For example, some top US public universities like UC Berkeley (33rd) have lower tuition compared to private ones but boast strong employability, making them highly competitive in admissions.
United Kingdom: 14 Universities on the List, 7 in the Top 100
A total of 14 UK universities made the list, with 7 in the Top 100. They include G5 members Cambridge (4th), Oxford (5th), Imperial College London (18th), London School of Economics (37th), as well as popular choices King's College London (21st), University of Manchester (53rd), and London Business School (89th).
Among them, LSE saw a notable rise of 35 places.
Canada: 9 Universities on the List, 5 in the Top 100
Canada has 9 universities on the list, with the University of Toronto (8th) being the top choice for employers.
Other Canadian universities in the Top 100 include McGill University (23rd), University of British Columbia (28th), Université de Montréal (41st), and McMaster University (77th).
Take McGill University, for example. Students can participate in the annual Innovation Week, exploring topics like entrepreneurship and future healthcare, and network with innovative industry leaders. In addition, the university has entrepreneurship incubation programs offering startup competitions, technology projects, and mentorship support. Students can enhance their employability through entrepreneurial projects, internships, and public speaking training.
Moreover, Canadian universities generally have lower tuition fees and simpler application processes compared to their US and UK counterparts, making them increasingly popular among international students.
Australia: 10 Universities on the List, 6 in the Top 100
Australia, a popular study abroad destination, has 10 universities on the list.
Australian National University (15th) is the top-ranked Australian university for employability. Its career center offers abundant employment resources, including three weekly sessions with career advisors and regular campus recruitment fairs.
Other Australian universities in the Top 100 include the University of Sydney (38th), University of Queensland (85th), University of New South Wales (88th), and Monash University (98th). Among them, the University of Queensland made a significant leap of 47 places.
In addition, universities from Asian countries like China, Japan, and Singapore also have notably strong employability rankings.
For the complete THE Global University Employability Report, see:
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/best-univ...
Students, when selecting a university in the future, can use this THE Global University Employability Ranking as a cross-reference. Choosing a school with programs of interest and strong employability will maximize the benefits of studying abroad.
The ranking is for reference only. Rankings alone should not be the sole basis for university applications.
When choosing a target university, you should view various rankings rationally and take into account your own background and needs, ultimately making a more reasonable and personalized choice.
