The QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2018 will be published on September 12.

When choosing what and where to study, one of the most important factors for all students is knowing the degree and university they’ve chosen will lead to a lucrative, successful graduate career. Given this, the Graduate Employability Rankings is arguably one of the most important rankings available to students.

Now featuring more universities than ever before (500 in total), this year’s ranking features an improved methodology. The same five indicators have been used to assess universities (employer reputation, alumni outcomes, employer partnerships, employer-student connections and graduate employment rates), but the weighting for alumni outcomes has been increased to 25%. This ensures this year’s ranking places greater emphasis on how successfully universities produce talented graduates. Employer-student connections, which measures the presence of employers on campus at events such as careers fairs, has been reduced in weighting to 10%.

Read more about the methodology in the Graduate Employability Rankings here.

Last year, Stanford University was crowned the best university in the world for graduate employability. Having been ranked second in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2018 earlier this year, Stanford will be hoping to retain its crown, although several top universities (including many in the US) are breathing down its neck.

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If you’re heading off to university, you’ll be packing your life away, and it’s easy to forget certain items that could make a massive difference to every day student life – check out Yasmin (YagmanX on YouTube)’s list of university essentials to make sure you don’t forget a thing! Whatever type of student you are, we’ve got you covered.

Have we forgotten something? Let us know in the comments below!

Video by Yasmin Curren for TopUniversities.com (@YagmanX)

Click here to discover the 10 strongest Australian universities for graduate employability in 2019.

There are 21 Australian universities featured in this year’s QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2018, a ranking aiming to celebrate the institutions producing the most employable graduates, based on a methodology which considers each university’s alumni outcomes, employer reputation, graduate employment rate and more.

Read on for an overview of this year’s 10 highest ranked Australian universities for graduate employability, plus a look at how New Zealand universities fared in the ranking.

1. The University of Sydney

The University of Sydney continues to be the highest ranked Australian university for graduate employability this year, ranked fourth in the world and achieving its highest score for Employer-Student Connections (it’s ranked eighth). It boasts top-50 scores for every indicator, with its next highest score being for the Partnerships with Employers category (14^th). The university is active in hosting careers fairs, employer information sessions, workshops and other events to help students and employers network with each other.

2. The University of Melbourne

Climbing four places to rank seventh in the world for graduate employability this year, the University of Melbourne achieves the highest score among all Australian universities for its Graduate Employment Rate (ranked 10^th globally). The university counts four Australian prime ministers among its alumni, plus other successful figures such as Germaine Greer and Barry Humphries. Its start-up accelerator, Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP), was named the eighth best in the world in 2015.

Trying to decide between the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne? View a comparison of the two here.

3. The University of New South Wales (UNSW)

Next in our look at the 10 best Australian universities for graduate employability is the University of New South Wales (UNSW), a new entrant at 36^th. UNSW achieves its highest score for the Employer Reputation indicator, and was recently awarded the maximum of five stars for “Getting a Job” in the Good Universities Guide, which also found that 76% of undergraduates find a job within four months of graduating.

4. The University of Queensland (UQ)

Up from 51-60 to 49^th in the world for graduate employability this year, the University of Queensland (UQ) receives its highest score for the Partnerships with Employers category. Boasting a higher graduate employment rate than the national average, UQ offers its students a free online employability course and has other initiatives to help maximize students’ success, such as short-term global experiences and student exchange programs, internships, career workshops and more.

5. University of Technology, Sydney (UTS)

University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) is ranked 69^th in the world for graduate employability, and gets its highest score for the Graduate Employment Rate category, with the latest figures showing that 76% of Australian-resident UTS graduates are in employment three months after study, earning an average salary of AU$67,047 (~US$53,130). UTS runs a variety of careers fairs and events, and offers students work-ready programs such as the UTS Accomplish Intensive program, a course of career workshops.

6. Monash University

Heading to Melbourne for the next in our look at the best universities in Australia for graduate employability, where Monash University is ranked 79^th in the world this year and is featured in the global top 50 for its Employer Reputation, reflecting its reputation as one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Monash runs a range of careers events, industry panels and seminars such as the Global Careers Panel, facilitated by Raw Talent.

7. Australian National University (ANU)

Ranked 84^th in the world for graduate employability, Australian National University (ANU) achieves an impressive score of 20^th in the Graduate Employment Rate indicator, with 88% of ANU’s domestic graduates employed full-time four months after completing their studies, according to the results of the Graduate Destination Report 2016. The university offers a range of diverse volunteering opportunities, including the new ANU+ initiative.

8. RMIT University

RMIT University is ranked 97^th in the world for graduate employability this year and also achieves a very high score for the Graduate Employment Rate category, ranking 15^th in the world. RMIT supports entrepreneurial students with its RMIT Activator, a tailored, interactive program which is committed to giving the RMIT community an opportunity to create ideas, access collaborative workspaces and launch start-ups.

9. Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Featured in the 111-120 range for graduate employability, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), located in Brisbane, is ranked in the global top 50 for the Employer-Student connections category. QUT has an international outlook and describes itself as “a university for the real world”. The university is active at promoting connections between employers and students via careers fairs, Work Integrated Learning (WIL), the Career Mentor Scheme, and the CareerHub jobs board.

10. Macquarie University

And finally, the last in our look at the 10 best Australian universities for graduate employability is the Sydney-based Macquarie University, ranked in the 121-130 band, with a top-50 score for the Graduate Employment Rate category. Looking at the 2016 Macquarie University Graduate Destination Survey, 89% of Macquarie graduates were in full-time work or study almost a year after finishing their course. Macquarie offers students the chance to get practical experience within their degree via the unique PACE (Professional and Community Engagement) program.

Top universities in New Zealand for graduate employability

Alternatively, if you’d like to study in nearby New Zealand, the country has seven entrants in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings, led by the University of Auckland at 75^th in the world, which achieves its highest score in the Graduate Employment Rate category, at 12^th. The other six universities in New Zealand in the ranking are all ranked in the 301-500 range, with Auckland University of Technology (AUT) featuring in the top 50 for the Graduate Employment Rate category, while Massey University is in the top 150.

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Click here to discover the 10 highest ranked Canadian universities for graduate employability in 2019.

The results of the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2018 are in, and 18 Canadian universities are featured among the world’s best for producing the most employable graduates. The ranking aims to highlight the institutions leading the way in graduate employability, based on a methodology which assesses employment rates, alumni outcomes, employer reputations and more. Read on for an overview of the 10 highest ranked Canadian universities for graduate employability in 2018.

1. University of Toronto

Up four places this year to now rank 15^th in the world for graduate employability, the University of Toronto receives the highest rank of any Canadian university for the Alumni Outcomes indicator. Many former students of the university have gone on to make their mark in the arts, sciences, politics, business and other ventures, with four Canadian prime ministers among its alumni, plus other notable figures such as Donald Sutherland and Margaret Atwood.

2. University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo is ranked 24^th in the world for graduate employability and achieves an impressive score for the Partnerships with Employers category (fourth in the world), an assessment of both research and employment-related partnerships. Waterloo has been named Canada’s most innovative university for 25 years, and considers itself a model of co-operative education, offering more than 120 accredited co-op programs to allow students to combine their studies with work experience.

3. University of British Columbia

Another of the best Canadian universities for graduate employability is the University of British Columbia, up six places this year to rank 35^th in the world, with its highest score for the Employer Reputation category (37^th in the world). Like Waterloo, the university has a number of co-op programs available, and the university also has a venture accelerator, entrepreneurship@UBC, to help students and recent graduates launch their own start-ups.

4. McGill University

Ranked 42^nd in the world for graduate employability, McGill University receives scores within the global top 50 for Employer Reputation and Alumni Outcomes. McGill has graduated many notable alumni, such as 12 Nobel Laureates and 142 Rhodes Scholars (both the most among Canadian universities), plus three Canadian prime ministers (including incumbent Justin Trudeau), and other successful figures such as Leonard Cohen, William Shatner, and the president of Médecins Sans Frontières, Joanne Liu.

5. University of Alberta

Next in our look at the best Canadian universities for graduate employability, the University of Alberta is ranked 94^th globally, and receives its highest score for its Graduate Employment Rate. The university’s employability programs and events include a career mentoring program, internship and work experience programs, career fairs, employer information sessions, and a Job Shadow week, which matches students and alumni with professionals in the community.

6. McMaster University

McMaster University is ranked in the 101-110 band for graduate employability this year, achieving its highest score for its Partnerships with Employers. Located in Hamilton, Ontario, the university is part of a thriving entrepreneurship community in the local area, and runs The Forge, an on-campus start-up initiative, and the award-winning McMaster Innovation Park, which aims to “transform ideas from vision to commercial reality”.

7. Queen's University

Ranked 111-120 for graduate employability, Queen’s University has graduated some of Canada’s most prominent politicians, business leaders and academics, as well as 57 Rhodes scholars. Queen’s runs a range of careers fairs throughout the year to allow students to meet employers, and also secures paid internships of up to 16 months in length for both domestic and international students.

8. Université de Montréal

The French-speaking Université de Montréal is featured in the 121-130 range of this year’s Graduate Employability Rankings. The university is one of the largest in Canada and has produced many notable alumni, including the 15^th prime minister of Canada, Pierre Trudeau, and Louise Arbour, the fifth United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Among its employability initiatives are student placements, designed to promote the integration of students into the labor market.

=9. University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is featured in the 151-160 range for graduate employability, which is enough to ensure it ranks joint ninth in Canada with Western University. Boasting a graduate employment rate of 95%, the university runs a range of careers fairs and offers several co-op programs and internships, as well as information sessions to help students find out if an employer is a good fit for them.  

=9. Western University

Concluding our look at the best Canadian universities for graduate employability in 2018 is Western University, also ranked in the 151-160 range. Formerly known as the University of Western Ontario, the university’s Student Success Centre helps students improve their employability and prepare for the workplace via internships, co-ops, volunteering, global experiences, job shadowing and Community Engaged Learning (CEL) programs such as Alternative Spring Break.

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Click here to find out the 10 highest ranked European universities for graduate employability in 2019.

Want to study in Europe? Knowing you’ll find your dream job after graduation is vital when deciding where to study, so you might like to consider the latest QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2018, with a total of 208 European universities featured in the global top 500 for graduate employability. The ranking is based on assessments of each university’s employer reputation, graduate employment rate, alumni outcomes and other factors. The UK has 47 universities in the ranking, Germany 27, while France and Spain have 15 each.

We’ve covered the top 10 UK universities in a separate article, so read on to find out the top universities for graduate employability in continental Europe.

1. ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)

The highest ranked university in continental Europe, Switzerland’s ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) is ranked 16^th for graduate employability and features in the global top 50 for Employer Reputation and Partnerships with Employers. ETH Zurich is active in supporting budding entrepreneurs, for example with the Pioneer Fellowship Program, which is awarded to individuals looking to develop a highly innovative product or service. Pioneer fellows are able to further their research with the university’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship Lab (ieLab).

2. Ecole Polytechnique ParisTech

Heading to France, and Ecole Polytechnique ParisTech is ranked 28^th for graduate employability in 2018. It achieves the highest score among these European universities for the Graduate Employment Rate indicator, ranking sixth in the world.  Ecole Polytechnique is considered one of France’s most prestigious and selective grandes écoles in engineering, helping to earn it another top 10 score (for the Employer Reputation indicator).

3. KIT, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie

Germany’s highest-placed entrant in the Graduate Employability Rankings at 30^th in the world, KIT, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie receives its highest score (19^th) for the Partnerships with Employers category, as it maintains a strong cooperation with industry via strategic partnerships and research collaborations. The university also runs a series of company events, including Company Speed Dating for students to make contacts with employers, and the annual KIT Career Show. 

4. Politecnico di Milano

Next in our look at the best European universities for graduate employability is Italy’s Politecnico di Milano at 39^th in the world. Politecnico di Milano receives the highest score in this list for Partnerships with Employers (third in the world), with events such as the International Job Fair enabling students to meet companies from all over the world. Politecnico di Milano is also ranked joint eighth in the world for its Graduate Employment Rate.

5. Delft University of Technology

Ranked 40^th in the world for graduate employability, the Netherlands’ Delft University of Technology (also known as TU Delft) is featured in the global top 20 in the Partnerships with Employers category. TU Delft’s Career Centre offers a range of careers workshops, career coaching and events, as well as working closely with employers to create positive connections between them, the university and students.

6. Universidad de Navarra

The Universidad de Navarra, located in Pamplona, Spain, is ranked 48^th in the world for graduate employability this year, earning its highest score (24^th) for its Graduate Employment Rate. The university’s Navarra Business Foundation serves as a meeting point between business and the university, providing students and alumni with job contacts and placements.

7. Chalmers University of Technology

Ranked 67^th in the world for graduate employability, Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology is ranked within the top 20 for Partnerships with Employers (17^th) as well as the top 50 for the Employer-Student Connections category. The university maintains partnerships with major companies such as Ericsson, Volvo and SKF, and has a dedicated Chalmers School of Entrepreneurship, which includes both a master’s program and a pre-incubator. 

8. Technische Universität Darmstadt

Back to Germany, where Technische Universität Darmstadt, also known as TU Darmstadt, is ranked 68^th in the world for graduate employability this year. It achieves its strongest score for its Graduate Employment Rate and supports student start-ups with the HIGHEST Start-up Centre, which also cooperates closely with a large number of external partners from science and industry in the local region.

9. Technische Universität München

Also in Germany, Technische Universität München (TUM) is ranked 70^th for graduate employability and achieves its highest score for Employer Reputation (21^st in the world). TUM considers itself an entrepreneurial university, with hundreds of start-ups originating at TUM, and the university offers support services to technology-focused entrepreneurs in its TUM Entrepreneurship Center, including the high-tech MakerSpace workshop.

10. Technische Universität Berlin

Ranked 78^th for graduate employability this year, Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) offers students a range of opportunities to study abroad elsewhere in Europe or further afield during their course, allowing them to improve their employability. Like TU Munich, TU Berlin fosters entrepreneurship in its students by supporting them through every stage of their start-up project.

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Click here to read the latest version of this article, based on the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019.

There are 81 US universities featured among the global top 500 for graduate employability in the recently published QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2018, including 19 in the top 50. This ranking aims to celebrate the universities which are skilled at preparing students for the workplace, based on a methodology which measures each university’s employer reputation, alumni outcomes, graduate employment rate and other aspects.

Read on to discover 10 of the best US universities for graduate employability in 2018. 

1. Stanford University

Continuing to rank first both in the US and the world for graduate employability, Stanford University is the best university in the world for the Partnerships with Employers indicator, as well as ranking second for Alumni Outcomes. Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford is known for producing many successful business leaders and entrepreneurs, including the founders or co-founders of household names such as Google, LinkedIn, YouTube, Nike, Netflix and Snapchat, to name a few. The university’s Career Development Center has recently been renamed BEAM (Bridging Education, Ambition & Meaningful Work) and offers career coaching appointments, employer connections events and fairs, expert advice, and experimental trips to explore different workplaces.

2. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Climbing from 15^th to second in the world in this year’s Graduate Employability Ranking, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) receives its strongest scores for Alumni Outcomes and Partnerships with Employers (ranked eighth in the world for both). Notable alumni of UCLA include seven Nobel Prize winners, the founders of Blizzard Entertainment, and entertainment figures such as Carol Burnett, George Takei and Francis Ford Coppola.

3. Harvard University

Having opted out of last year’s ranking, Harvard University enters this year at third place both in the world and the US. It receives an unbeatable first place score for Alumni Outcomes, reflecting the huge number of successful individuals who’ve studied at Harvard, such as Natalie Portman, Mark Zuckerberg, Barack Obama, Margaret Atwood and Matt Damon. Harvard achieves third place for Employer Reputation, with employers certainly respecting Harvard’s prestige.

4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Ranked fifth in the world for graduate employability, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is another of the best US universities for the Employer Reputation and Alumni Outcomes indicators (ranked fourth in the world for both). The university supports students’ career prospects with its Global Education and Career Development center, which also offers advice on going abroad for work or study.

Discover the 10 most successful MIT graduates >

5. University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

Another of the best US universities for graduate employability is the University of California, Berkeley (UCB), ranked ninth in the world and achieving its strongest score for the Employer Reputation indicator. The university’s Haas School of Business includes the Berkeley Haas Entrepreneurship Program, which integrates entrepreneurial thinking into the student experience, assisting students in launching new ventures, and UCB’s alumni include 33 Nobel Prize winners, 17 billionaires, and 11 Turing Award winners.

6. New York University (NYU)

Climbing an impressive 27 places this year to now rank 11^th in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings, New York University (NYU) achieves third place in the world for the Employer-Student Connection indicator, with the university running a range of careers fairs for all majors, plus fairs for specific academic majors. Ideally located in New York City (one of the world’s leading financial centers), NYU also ranks ninth for Alumni Outcomes.

7. Columbia University

Another New York City-based institution, Columbia University is ranked 12^th for graduate employability in 2018. Columbia receives its highest score for Alumni Outcomes, thanks to an array of successful alumni, including US presidents and other heads of state, 39 Nobel Prize winners, and other notable figures such as Jake Gyllenhaal, Katie Holmes and Leonard Cohen. Its Columbia University Center for Career Education aims to help students achieve their career goals through career fairs, counseling, workshops and more.

Trying to decide between NYU and Columbia? Read a comparison of the two here >

8. Princeton University

Next in our look at the best US universities for graduate employability is Princeton University, which is ranked 13^th in the world. As well as having a top-50 score for Employer Reputation, Princeton receives its highest score for Alumni Outcomes, again graduating successful figures in business, politics, engineering, entertainment and other ventures. The university’s Princeton University Entrepreneurial Hub serves as a start-up incubator space for encouraging the exchange of ideas.

=9. Cornell University

Ranked joint 18^th in the world for graduate employability, Cornell University is another of the best US universities for Alumni Outcomes (achieving a strong score of 12^th for this indicator). Each year, Cornell’s Career Services hosts over 400 career workshops and events on campus, and offers students’ advice on understanding their strengths, exploring their options and taking action for their next steps.

=9.  Yale University

Concluding our look at the 10 best US universities for graduate employability is Yale University, a new entrant at joint 18^th with Cornell.  Yale is ranked 15^th for Employer Reputation, reflecting its Ivy League reputation, and sixth for Alumni Outcomes. Prominent Yale alumni include Meryl Streep, five US presidents, Boeing founder William Boeing and Peace corps founder Sargent Shriver.

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Click here to find out the 10 highest ranked UK universities for graduate employability in 2019.

There are 47 UK universities featured in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2018, including 14 in the global top 100. Unsurprisingly, given their highly respected reputations, the list below is led by Oxbridge. However, the ranking doesn’t just consider employer reputation, it also assesses alumni outcomes, graduate employment rates, employer partnerships and employer-student connections.

Read on for an overview of the 10 best UK universities for graduate employability.

1. University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge continues to be the highest ranked UK university in the Graduate Employability Ranking as well as the sixth best in the world, receiving an unbeatable score in the Employer Reputation indicator. Cambridge also receives a top 10 score for the Alumni Outcomes category, as it’s known for producing very successful alumni, including Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, David Attenborough, Emma Thompson, Arianna Huffington and Stephen Hawking, just to name a few.  

2. University of Oxford

Ranked eighth in the world for graduate employability, the University of Oxford is just one place behind Cambridge for Employer Reputation (ranked second in the world) and achieves a higher score than its rival Cambridge for Alumni Outcomes (ranked third), with 27 British Prime Ministers among its alumni. Other famous Oxford graduates include Oscar Wilde, Hugh Grant, J.R.R. Tolkien, Nigella Lawson, Felicity Jones, T.S. Eliot and Benazir Bhutto.

3. UCL (University College London)

Up seven places this year to rank 17^th in the world for graduate employability, UCL achieves its highest score for Employer Reputation. According to a survey from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), UCL graduates on taught programs earn an average of £30,628 (~US$39,660) as their starting salary – those in research programs earn even more, an average of £36,720 (~US$47,600).

4. Imperial College London

Imperial College London is ranked 29^th in the world for graduate employability, with a particularly impressive score in the Employer Reputation category (eighth in the world). As a science-focused university, Imperial produces very in-demand graduates, with six-month industrial placements included in the third year of the university’s MEng course, providing students with invaluable real-world experience.

5. The University of Manchester

Next in our look at the best UK universities for graduate employability is the University of Manchester, ranked 33^rd in the world. It’s ranked 20^th for the Employer Reputation category, its strongest score, and is a member of the prestigious Russell Group. According to 2016 statistics from the Higher Education Statistics Agency, 94% of Manchester’s graduates go straight into employment or further study.

6. University of Bristol

Ranked 50^th in the world for graduate employability, the University of Bristol offers students the chance to get involved with a wide variety of employability events such as careers fairs, interactive workshops, skill placement days, employer presentations and more. It also supports student enterprises and start-ups with its Business Basecamp, a service providing mentoring support to help get student start-ups off the ground.

7. London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

Another London-based institution to rank as one of the best UK universities for graduate employability, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) climbed from 61-70 to 54^th this year. LSE is known for being a leading university for social sciences subjects, and boasts a very high score for its Employer Reputation (seventh in the world). LSE graduates earn an average starting salary of £29,000 (~US$37,500).

8. The University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham is ranked 55^th for graduate employability and is one of the top 10 UK universities targeted by the largest number of leading graduate recruiters, according to the results of the Graduate Market in 2017 report from High Fliers. It’s invested £1 million into its careers service and has also been named University of the Year for Graduate Employability in The Times’ Good University Guide 2017.

9. University of Edinburgh

In Scotland, the University of Edinburgh is placed 60^th in the world for graduate employability, with 90% of graduates in employment in further study six months after graduating. The university aims to help students develop their ‘Edinburgh EdGE’ to stand out in the competitive jobs market, and provides the EdGE database to help students get involved with student societies, work experience, volunteering, travel abroad and more.

10. King's College London (KCL)

Concluding our look at the 10 best UK universities for graduate employability is King’s College London (KCL), ranked 63^rd in the world. King’s Careers & Employability service and Entrepreneurship Institute are dedicated to encouraging entrepreneurial potential in current students and recent graduates, for example with the university’s year-long King's20 Accelerator program, and the university has its own exclusive vacancy board (CareerConnect).

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By Viv Mah

Flash forward ten years. Where are you working? With any luck, the answer will be in the career of your dreams. However, increasing reports of automation and an ever-changing workforce have many of us scurrying in search of security and stability.

Before you panic and enroll yourself in every skill-boosting course available — culinary school, anyone? — step back a moment. While it’s all well and good to future proof your ability to earn an income, it may turn out your degree and experience have already provided you with a solid grounding in the skills future employers want. 

A report published by The Atlantic identified six key drivers of change in the workforce for 2025. The rise of smart systems, a focus on big data, the ability to analyze the world from a programmatic perspective, an ever-evolving audience engagement with media and the global flattening of the world were highlighted as key considerations for how the workplace would evolve. 

In turn, several key skills were identified as being important for jobs of the future — some of which may look strikingly familiar. 

Sense-making and computational thinking

The advance of technology and data in the future work world will necessitate the ability to understand what the numbers mean. The data or abstract piece of information is, after all, only part of the equation; the ability to apply its significance and use in a variety of forms is the other half. 

Social intelligence, virtual collaboration and cross-cultural competency

Just as every team requires a strong manager to pull it together, a wider, broader and more scattered organization requires a superior set of connections to keep it functioning. In this context, social intelligence also extends to understanding the sensitivities and requirements of different communities across a wide range of platforms, and how to best elicit the desired interactions and responses.

Novel and adaptive thinking

The ability to parse the use of new media and understand an audience’s engagement with it, in order to help your organization utilize said media, won’t be an asset for marketing departments alone.

It’ll also play a role in how businesses - who are rapidly becoming aware of the importance of presentation both internally and externally - communicate themselves, their values and their capabilities to their key stakeholders. And the ever-evolving nature of media requires a certain amount of inventiveness when it comes to staying ahead of the usual players.

Design mindset

Doubtless you’ve heard of concepts like Kanban. The concept of being able to visualize one’s work and effectively track it is becoming more and more prevalent, in order to best understand the flow of work and priorities within an organization.

By the early 2020s, it’s likely even more concepts will have been invented, in order to promote a clutter-free workplace, with the desirable skill being the ability to manage such processes.

Viv Mah writes for Inspiring Interns, which specializes in finding candidates their perfect internship. To browse their graduate jobs London listings, visit their website. For senior roles, see the Inspiring Search page.

It’s well known that one of the many benefits of studying abroad is the opportunity to learn a new language, but that doesn’t always mean you want to study in a foreign language – especially if it’s hugely different from your own, or your course contains complex terminology. Fortunately, English is the most common second language in the world, and many universities abroad are increasing their range of available English-taught courses in order to attract more international students. We’ve looked at a range of places where you can study abroad in English here, but if you’re on a budget, this article will tell you where you can get a degree for US$5,000 or less.

Of course, you’ll still need to consider other expenses when budgeting to study abroad (student visa/university application fees, health insurance, accommodation, food and so on), but saving money on fees should ensure a cheaper student experience.

Iceland

The main language of instruction at universities in the land of ice and fire may be Icelandic, but affordable English-taught courses are available, albeit mostly at graduate level. Iceland’s four public universities don’t charge tuition fees, meaning you only need to pay an annual registration fee of ISK 75,000 (~US$700). If you’re willing to enroll in the spring semester, the registration fee at the University of Iceland is reduced to ISK 55,000 (~US$500). Non-EU/EEA students will also be charged an application fee when they apply – this is ISK 8,000 at the University of Iceland (~US$70).

Unfortunately, the catch is that Iceland is an expensive country to live in – the University of Iceland recommends students budget at least ISK 119,300 a month (~US$1,100). This means you’ll need at least US$13,200 for your living expenses each year. One other downside: no Icelandic universities feature in the QS World University Rankings 2018.

Malaysia

If you want to study in English somewhere a little warmer, Malaysia could be a good option for you. All courses at private universities are taught in English, and most postgraduate degrees at public universities are also English-taught (they are less common at undergraduate level). Malaysia has an ideal combination of low tuition fees and living costs, with capital city Kuala Lumpur ranked as the most affordable city for students in the QS Best Student Cities index in both 2016 and 2017. Most students pay tuition fees of less than US$3,000 in Kuala Lumpur, and you will only need around US$5,000 for living costs, according to StudyinMalaysia.com.

Highest-ranked university in Malaysia: Universiti Malaya (joint 114^th)

Saudi Arabia

With its universities frequently topping the QS University Rankings: Arab Region, Saudi Arabia offers high quality education at a low cost, with no tuition fees at universities such as King Saud University. The country’s strict interpretation of Islam might take a little getting used to, as alcohol is prohibited and there is a strict gender division. There are many courses with English as the medium of instruction, particularly at master’s level and for courses in engineering, science and medicine. Many residents speak English, but it’s worth learning conversational Arabic to help you settle in. Saudi Arabia’s capital and largest city, Riyadh, was ranked as the third most affordable city for students in the latest QS Best Student Cities index. However, living costs are high, and you can’t work during your studies.

Highest-ranked university in Saudi Arabia: King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (joint 173^rd)

Germany

An ever-popular destination with our readers, all students can study in Germany for free at public universities in all states except Baden-Württemberg, where fees have been reintroduced for non-EU students. However, if you’re a non-EU student in Baden-Württemberg your tuition fees will still be far lower than you’ll find elsewhere, at €3,000 (~US$3,500) per year. It’s possible that other states will also reintroduce fees in the future, so study here for free while you still can.

Elsewhere in the country, some master’s degrees do have tuition fees, and all students do need to pay a compulsory semester fee to cover administration costs – this is typically less than €300 (~US$350). Many German people know English but it’s still a good idea to learn basic German, especially if you’re thinking of working during or after your studies, as it will increase your employment prospects. If you want to study in Germany in English, you may have to be quite relaxed about your choice of program if studying a bachelor’s degree, as English-taught courses are much more common at master’s level. The Study-in.de website has a useful search tool for finding programs taught in English.

Highest-ranked university in Germany: Technical University of Munich (64^th)

Taiwan

Another good option if you want to study in English abroad is Taiwan, where there are around 120 English-taught courses available. Tuition fees vary between universities so there isn’t an average figure available, but, as an example, tuition fees at the country’s highest-ranked university, National Taiwan University, range between 100,920 and 124,200 TWD (~US$3,300-4,100) for most courses. For living costs, the university estimates that you’ll need up to 226,000 TWD (~US$7,450) per year. You can search for English-taught programs to study in Taiwan here.

Highest-ranked university in Taiwan: National Taiwan University (joint 76^th)

France

If you want to study in France but you don’t parle français, good news: there are about 1,200 English-taught courses available (more commonly at master’s level) and tuition fees are low. Bachelor’s (licence) degrees cost €184 (~US$215) per year, master’s degrees are €256 (~US$300) and PhDs are €391 (~US$460). French universities tend to bring up the price with additional administrative fees, but the final figure will nonetheless be far lower than other study destinations.  

Highest-ranked university in France: Ecole normale supérieure, Paris (43^rd)

India

A fascinatingly multicultural study destination, India’s official languages are Hindi and English, but English is the language of instruction at all universities. Tuition fees vary and are much lower than in many other study destinations, with private institutions charging higher fees than public universities. You can get a degree for as little as US$3,200, although some courses do cost up to US$7,700.

Even better news is that living costs in India are incredibly low: you can live comfortably on as little as US$5,000 per year. However, it’s important to note that you can’t work while you study in India, so you can’t earn extra funds this way.

Highest-ranked university in India: Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (172^nd)

Norway

English-taught courses are increasingly common in Norway, particularly at master’s level, making it an ideal place to study in English. Tuition is free for all students at all public universities in Norway, meaning you’ll only need to pay your university’s student welfare organization fee (300-600 NOK (~US$38-75) each semester. Unfortunately, living costs in Norway are high, with the University of Oslo recommending a budget of at least US$17,300 per year. Students can work in Norway during their studies (non-EU students will need a work permit) and you might be able to find a scholarship.

Highest-ranked university in Norway: University of Oslo (joint 142^nd)

Greece

How about studying in warm and sunny Greece, the birthplace of academia itself? As in other study destinations, you’ll find that English-taught courses are much more common at postgraduate level in Greece, with the postgraduate International Hellenic University being the only public university where all programs are taught exclusively in English. You can read about other Greek universities offering English-taught postgraduate courses here.

If you’re an EU/EEA student, there’s good news: you won’t pay tuition fees at public Greek universities. If you’re not one of this lucky group, fees for non-EU students are nonetheless affordable at around €1,500 (~US$1,750). Living costs in Greece are also some of the lowest in Europe (unfortunately, this is due to the country’s recent economic problems), with students needing around US$8,400 per year.

Highest-ranked university in Greece: National Technical University of Athens (401-410)

Austria

Finally, our list of cheap places to study in English ends with this beautiful central European country, which has much to offer international students – prestigious universities, high quality of life, and exciting student cities. The majority of courses are taught in German at bachelor’s level, with a much wider range of English-taught courses at master’s level – StudienWahl.at has a useful search tool for finding programs (simply use the define filter tool to show only English-taught courses).

Many people speak English here, especially young people, but it’s still a good idea to try your hand at German. If you’re an EU/EEA national, you can study you bachelor’s or master’s degree for free provided you complete it in the minimum timeframe (plus two semesters of leeway). After this, you’ll need to pay a tuition fee of €363 (~US$425) for each additional semester. Non-EU students pay tuition fees of €1,453 (~US$1,700) per year, and all students also must pay the student union membership fee, which is around €18 (~US$21) per semester.

Highest-ranked university in Austria: University of Vienna (154^th)

Other places where EU students can study in English for free…

• Scotland: Scottish and EU students study for free in Scotland, although students from the rest of the UK do pay fees. Although this may not last much longer due to the UK leaving the European Union, the Scottish government has assured EU students entering in the 2018/19 academic year that they are guaranteed free tuition for the duration of their course.
• Denmark, Finland and Sweden: All three of these Nordic countries offer free tuition to EU students, with a large range of English-taught courses available. Unfortunately, non-EU students do need to pay tuition fees, and living costs in these countries are high.

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It may be one of the most popular sports in America, but if you’re planning to play full-contact football at college, you might want to think again. Earlier this year, scientists have found a link between playing the sport and degenerative brain disease, with 90% of American footballers playing at college level diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in a new study.

Of the 53 college players tested, a staggering 48 had CTE, a rare disease that is a risk factor for memory loss and dementia. The study attributes this trend to the repeated blows on the head caused by the rough sport, which leaves players particularly vulnerable to concussion and brain trauma. The ratio was higher in the National Football League, where a staggering 110 of the 111 NFL players tested were found to have CTE.

While this might have you thinking it would be better if we stopped playing the sport altogether (or at least changed the rules), some players remain undeterred by the study. Kenny Young, linebacker for UCLA, said he accepts the risks that come with playing the sport: “You make the decision to play football, and you have to accept the good and bad with that.

“I play football and I play linebacker. I’m tackling or hitting somebody every single play. The only thing you can control is how you do it. Do you want to be the guy that knocks people out every single play for entertainment? Or are you that guy that cares about your longterm health?”

Oregon State coach Gary Andersen stressed coaches must stay alert during practices and games and encourage players to report head injuries. He said: “Our first year here, we had a young man that definitely had an issue on the field during a game. I ran out to the numbers and grabbed him. The official looked at me like, ‘What the hell are you doing?’ I was like, ‘We’ve got to get this kid out of the game.’ So, you can’t see everything as a coach, but when you see something like that, you’ve got to act’.”

Dr Ann McKee, a neuroscientist at Boston University, worked on the study and warned that other factors may also be in play, such as diet and the use of steroids, medication and alcohol. Regardless, it’s more than enough to make some people think twice about whether playing football is good for their health. On the other hand, the lure of lucrative professional contracts will be enough to keep the most talented players on the field, risking their health for a shot at glory.

So, if young athletes aren’t going to be put off playing, what can be done to protect them from brain damage? Despite claims to the contrary, there is no conclusive evidence that wearing a protective helmet does anything to stop CTE. While protective helmets are important and do much to protect the skull, they can’t stop the brain from hitting hard into the skull and suffering devastating impacts. Fortunately, while there is no miracle helmet yet, efforts are being made to improve the culture of the sport, encouraging athletes to self-report injuries. The NFL has focused on educating athletes about the risks, while also adding 42 new rules since 2002 which have largely been designed to make the sport safer. Nowadays, athletes with a concussion are no longer granted same day clearance, and a team of doctors is deployed to each game where they enforce a strict concussion protocol to diagnose and treat head injuries immediately as they occur.

This may not be enough, but it will go some way to tackling the most serious head injuries caused by American football. The question is: would you still want to play such a dangerous sport?