The University of Cambridge has been named the top UK institution for graduate employability in the Global Employability University Ranking 2026.

Times Higher Education collaborated with HR consultancy Emerging to create the Global Employability Ranking. Now in its thirteenth year, it surveys major international employers to identify which universities they believe best prepare students for the workplace.

In total, 16 UK universities featured among the world’s 250 most employable institutions. Four are based in London, while St Andrews, Edinburgh, and Cardiff were also recognised.

Cambridge’s top performance is attributed to its international reputation, extensive alumni network, and distinctive teaching model. The University has more than 400 alumni groups worldwide, and recent funding initiatives have supported new approaches to teaching alongside the traditional supervision system.

A second-year undergraduate at Trinity Hall said: “I’m relieved to hear that Cambridge ranked first for graduate employability. You hear so much about how difficult the job market is, so it’s reassuring to know that employers still really value a Cambridge degree.”

Oxford ranked second, followed by Imperial College London in third place. Oxford’s position reflects its global reputation and competitive admissions, while Imperial’s strong ties to industry and the careers support available for up to three years post-graduation contributed to its high standing.

These results align with recent data showing that 89% of Cambridge students are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, surpassing the 83% of graduates nationwide. Of alumni already working, 91% are in high-skilled roles.

Cambridge has consistently performed strongly in the ranking, placing first among UK universities in both 2025 and 2024, and remaining within the top ten globally for several consecutive years.

The result comes after rankings released in September revealed that Cambridge ranked as the fourth best university in the UK, tying with its long-term rival Oxford. The result marked the first time since the rankings began that neither university held a place in the top 3 of the table, instead being replaced by the University of Durham.