How to find a university with a great graduate employability record | Top Universities
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How to find a university with a great graduate employability record

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Craig OCallaghan

Updated Sep 05, 2023
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A university degree is a necessary step in many professional career paths, particularly in fields such as engineering where the combination of hard and soft skills you’ll learn while at university are crucial for many roles.

However, not all university degrees will provide equal preparation for the workplace, which is why it’s important to find a university with a great graduate employability record. 

Sunway University in Malaysia has a proud record of graduate employability across many different degree programmes. Professor Sibrandes Poppema, President of Sunway University, told us: “The combination of research-infused knowledge, superb communication and digital skills...supplemented with career preparation activities through all study years, results in Sunway graduates being optimally prepared for employment.”

We spoke to Sunway University to learn more about how you can identify if a university will properly prepare you for the graduate career of your dreams.

Look at university rankings which focus on graduate employability

A good initial step when researching universities is to look at university rankings from reputable organisations, particularly if the ranking focuses on graduate employability or career outcomes.

As of 2024, the QS World University Rankings has an employment outcomes indicator, assessing the post-graduation careers which graduates go on to achieve from each institution.

This year, Sunway University was recognised as the top university in Malaysia for graduate employability by Talentbank for a second consecutive year, receiving a six-star employability rating across 25 different fields of study, including accounting, engineering and hospitality management. 

The Dean of Sunway Business School, Professor Lim Weng Marc, said, “Sunway University's unparalleled success in achieving [this] ranking for two consecutive years is a shining example of our relentless pursuit of academic distinction, ground-breaking research, and robust industry partnerships. 

“Our exceptional faculty and staff are devoted to equipping our students with the necessary tools to excel in the dynamic global job market, and this noteworthy recognition reflects their dedication and our students' accomplishments.”

Check if the degree programmes include experiential learning

There’s only so much you can learn from sitting in a lecture theatre, which is why the best universities include opportunities to put your learning into practice in a real-world setting.

When comparing universities, consider if their degree programmes include internships, work placements or other opportunities for experiential learning.

Professor Angela Amphawan, based within Sunway University’s School of Engineering and Technology, told us: "[Sunway University] is committed to fostering real-world experiences through internships, industrial placements, and professional networking opportunities, paving the way for our students' success."

What do current students think?

Finally, try to speak to current students to learn what they think of their university and how well it’s preparing them for the world of work. 

Attending university events or open days can be a great way to meet current students and get a perspective which you might not find in official prospectuses.

If you’re unable to speak to any current students directly, try to consult student satisfaction surveys and other sources of information that include student opinions.

For example, Sunway University scored an above-average student satisfaction score for ‘employment support’ in the International Student Barometer 2022 survey.

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