There are many international scholarships for African students available, including government scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships and university scholarships. Read on for our list of current opportunities, and download our free guide on how to find scholarships to study abroad here – happy scholarship hunting!

To study anywhere:

• Africa London Nagasaki (ALN) Fund – Graduate scholarships for African scientists to gain funding for a master’s degree in an area related to disease control in Africa. Scholarship winners can choose to study at London’s Institute of Tropical Medicine, the London School of the Hygiene and Tropical Medicine or Nagasaki University in Japan.
• Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship Programme – Need-based graduate scholarships for African students at master’s and PhD level to study anywhere in the world.
• Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships – International scholarships for African students within the Commonwealth* to study a master’s degree by distance learning from selected universities in the UK and worldwide.
• The Beit Trust Scholarships – International master’s degree and PhD scholarships for African students from Malawi, Zambia or Zimbabwe to study in the UK, Ireland or South Africa at a leading university.
• Wells Mountain Foundation Scholarships – Need-based international scholarships for students from developing countries (including African nations) to gain funding for university at home and abroad.
• Women Techmakers Scholars Program – Scholarships for women from Africa (as well as Europe and the Middle East) to study computer science, computer engineering or a closely related technical field at any study level at a university in one of the aforementioned regions.

To study in Africa:

• ACCESS Kenya – Scholarships for students from Kenya to gain funding to study at undergraduate level at an accredited university in Kenya.
• Mandela Rhodes Scholarships – Scholarships for Africans with strong leadership skills to study for an honors or master’s degree at a recognized university in South Africa.
• Jim Ovia Scholarship – Scholarships for Nigerian students to gain funding to study at undergraduate level in Nigeria.
• The Graduate Institute Geneva – A number list of unique Master and PhD scholarships for academically talented students from Africa. Financial aid packages may include cost-of-living scholarships, tuition reduction and/or a paid position, and is awarded based on the individual’s financial needs as well as academic merit.
• WAAW Foundation Scholarships – Scholarships for female African students looking to pursue a STEM-focused undergraduate program (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) at a recognized African university.

To study in Asia-Pacific:

• Master’s Degree ABE Initiative – Scholarship for Africans to study in Japan on a development-related master’s degree program at an accredited university.
• Australia Awards Africa – Australian government scholarships for Africans to gain funding to study in Australia on a professional training course or master’s degree.

To study in Europe:

To study in Belgium:

• VLIR-UOS Awards Scholarships – Graduate scholarships for international students from Africa, Asia and Latin America to study in Belgium on a development-related master’s degree or training program.

To study in Germany:

• DRD-DAAD Merit Scholarships – Scholarships for sub-Saharan Africans to study a development-related master’s or PhD program in Germany.

To study in Ireland:

• Irish Aid Scholarship Programme – Scholarships for Tanzanian students to study a master’s degree in Ireland.

To study in the Netherlands:

• Orange Knowledge Programme – A range of scholarships open to individuals and organizations in the field of higher and vocational education. Individual scholarships are open to mid-career professionals who are nationals of, and living and working in the listed countries. 
• Sub-Saharan Africa Excellence Scholarships @ TU Delft – Four scholarships are available for excellent students from Sub-Saharan Africa to study a MSc degree at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft).

To study in the UK: 

• African Excellence Fee Waiver @ The University of Glasgow – International scholarships for African students worth the full tuition fee of a master’s degree at the University of Glasgow. Applicants will automatically be considered based on academic merit.
• African Graduate scholarships @ UCL – Scholarships for Africans to study in the UK at UCL (University College London) on a master’s program within the Institute for Global Health. (The 2018 deadline has passed; check back at a later date for the next round of applications.)
• African Postgraduate Scholarships @ Edinburgh Napier University – Merit-based scholarships for Africans to gain partial funding to study in the UK at Edinburgh Napier University.
• Commonwealth Scholarships @ SOAS – Commonwealth scholarships open to students from African commonwealth countries* to study in the UK at SOAS (London) on a development-related master’s degree.
• Ruth First Scholarship @ Durham University – Scholarships for Africans from Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe to undertake postgraduate study in the UK at Durham University.
• Oppenheimer Fund Scholarships @ Oxford University – Scholarships for African students who have previously studied at South African universities to study in the UK at Oxford University.
• African Scholarships @ The University of Edinburgh – Merit-based graduate scholarships to study in the UK at the University of Edinburgh (Scotland) on a master’s or PhD program.
• The Centre of African Studies Visiting Fellowship @ The University of Cambridge – Two visiting fellowships for African students to conduct research and writing at the University of Cambridge.
• The Ibrahim Scholarship Programme – Master’s degree scholarships for aspiring African leaders to study in the UK at London Business School, SOAS or the University of Birmingham.

To study in the US: 

• Fulbright Foreign Student Program – International scholarships for graduate students, young professionals and artists across the globe to study in the US for a year or more.
• Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders – Scholarships for African students from sub-Saharan Africa to study in the US and gain leadership and business skills.
• MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program – Scholarships for African students to study in the US and Africa.
• MSFS Full-Tuition Scholarship @ Georgetown University – Scholarships for Africans from sub-Saharan Africa to study in the US on the Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) program at Georgetown University in Washington DC.
• Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship @ Stanford University – Scholarships for Africans wishing to study at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business on the MBA program. Applicants should show commitment to the development of their home country.
• Zawadi Africa Education Fund for Young African Women – Scholarships for female students from disadvantaged backgrounds from Africa to study in other African countries or the US.

Note that the list above is NOT exhaustive – there are lots of other scholarships open to African students. To find more opportunities, check the website of your chosen university and research funding offered via government schemes or external organizations (e.g. the IET offers funds for engineering students).

You could also be eligible for the QS Scholarships scheme, which offers US$7 million in funding each year. To find out more, and to get personal advice for your application, register to attend the QS World Grad School Tour for free.

* African Commonwealth countries: Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia.

** Sub-Saharan African countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

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This article was originally published in April 2015. It was last updated in November 2018. 

Whether you’re studying law at undergraduate level, graduate level, or just want to know the types of funding available worldwide before applying to study law, you’ve come to the right place!

Take a look below at the selection of law school scholarships and grants currently available to law students around the world, and click the links to find out more.

Law scholarships to study anywhere in the world

• FUNED Scholarships for Mexican Students – Graduate law scholarships for Mexican students enrolling on a master’s program at a leading university in the top 200 of the QS World University Rankings® anywhere in the world. (Information in Spanish).
• HM Hubbard Law Scholarship – Law scholarships for trainee and qualified solicitors in the UK to undertake further study in France, Spain or Canada.
• Law Foundation Graduate Scholarships – Scholarships for law students pursuing a graduate degree in law or a related subject to study at recognized universities in Canada, the US and elsewhere. To be eligible, you must be from British Columbia (Canada) or have graduated from a law school there.
• MENZIES Foundation Scholarships – Scholarships for Australian citizens to gain funding for postgraduate study in international law.

Law scholarships to study in Australia & New Zealand

To study in Australia:

• Equity Scholarships Scheme @ QUT – Need-based scholarships at Australia’s Queensland University of Technology, available to students of all levels studying law, business, education, health, science or engineering.
• Juris Doctor (JD) Scholarship for International Students @ UNSW – Law scholarships for international students undertaking the JD program at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia.
• Postgraduate Scholarships @ University of Sydney – Various scholarships for students of all study levels enrolled at the University of Sydney’s Law School.
• TC Beirne School of Law Masters Scholarships @ UQ – Need-based LLM scholarships for students enrolling on the LLM or Master of International Commercial Law program at the University of Queensland in Australia.

To study in New Zealand:

• Auckland Law School Postgraduate Scholarships – A range of scholarships to study law at postgraduate level at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. There are also undergraduate scholarships.
• Ethel Benjamin Scholarship – Law scholarships funded by the Law Foundation for New Zealand women to study law in New Zealand at postgraduate level. A similar scholarship is available at the Victoria University of Wellington.
• The New Zealand Law Foundation Doctoral Scholarship – Scholarships for Kiwi PhD students to carry out research in a defined area of the law for the benefit of New Zealand and its legal system.

Law scholarships to study in Europe

To study in Germany:

• DAAD Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance (PPGG) – Postgraduate scholarships for students from countries in Africa, Latin America, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, to undertake a master’s degree in public policy at a participating German university. Applicants should have studied a related undergraduate degree (e.g. law, economics or politics) and should intend to use their qualification within their country of origin.
• Max Planck Society Research Scholarships – Doctoral and postdoctoral law scholarships for doctoral students and researchers to study law in Germany.

To study in the Netherlands:

• Amsterdam Law School Merit Scholarships @ UvA – LLM scholarships for students to gain funding for study law at master’s level within the University of Amsterdam’s Faculty of Law. Applicants should already hold an LLB degree.
• Holland Scholarship @ University of Groningen – A €5,000 scholarship is available for bright undergraduate non-EU students who hold a degree from a university outside the Netherlands and have received an admission offer from the University of Groningen for one of the programs listed here. 

To study in the UK:

• Dickson Poon Undergraduate Law Scholarship Programme @ King’s College London – Undergraduate scholarships for law students studying at the Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London. 
• Henry Arthur Hollond Studentship in Law @ University of Cambridge – Studentship for an enrolling student on the LLM program at the University of Cambridge’s Trinity College. (Scroll down the page to view full scholarship details).
• John Bloom Law Bursary – UK scholarships for students looking to pursue a law degree at a recognized UK university. Available to UK citizens with financial need only.
• Law School Scholarships and Grants @ UCL – Various undergraduate scholarships for law students studying at UCL (University College London) in the Faculty of Laws.
• LLB Scholarships @ University of Birmingham – Various law scholarships and grants for domestic and international students to study the LLB (Bachelor of Laws) program at the University of Birmingham’s Law School.
• Margaret Bennett Scholarship for African Women @ LSE – LLM scholarships to study the Master of Laws program at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), open to female students from Africa (preference given to students from North Africa).
• Postgraduate Law School Funding @ QMUL – Scholarships for law students undertaking the LLM, MSc or PhD programs at Queen Mary University of London’s School of Law.
• Taught Postgraduate Scholarships @ University of Kent – Various postgraduate scholarships for students studying the Taught LLM program at the University of Kent.

Law scholarships to study in North America

To study in Canada:

• Schulich School of Law Scholarships @ Dalhousie University – Various law school scholarships to study at Dalhousie University.
• Master’s Scholarships for International Students @ Laval University – Graduate scholarships for law students enrolling on a master’s degree at Laval University. Open to all international students from Africa or Europe (excluding French students).
• Undergraduate Faculty Scholarships @ McGill University – Various undergraduate scholarships and prizes for bachelor-level law students studying at McGill University.

To study in the US:

• AABA Foundation Scholarships – US scholarships for law students interested in pursuing careers in public interest, for students from the Asia-Pacific and other underrepresented communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. International students are eligible, but must live in the Bay Area.
• ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund – Law school scholarships offered by the American Bar Association (ABA), open to first-year law students at ABA-accredited law schools in the US. Open to US citizens only.
• Arent Fox Diversity Scholarship Program – Scholarships for law students in their first and second year at an ABA-accredited law school in the US. Scholarship winners will receive a $20,000 award and a salaried summer associate position.
• Bradley R Corbett Scholarship – Law scholarships for US citizens offered by defense attorney, Bradley R Corbett.
• Federal Circuit Bar Association Scholarship – Law school scholarships for students pursuing a JD program at an accredited university in the US. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and interest in certain aspects of US law.
• MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program – Law school scholarships for Latino students interested in advancing Latino civil rights in their careers. Open to Latino US citizens studying law at any degree level in the US.
• National Bar Institute Law School Scholarships and Grants – Law school scholarships and grants available to US students enrolled at law school in the US. Funding for African-American and minority students available.
• NYU Law Scholarship Programs @ NYU – Various scholarships for law students undertaking the JD program at New York University (NYU) in the US. Scholarships also cover specializations such as cybersecurity.
• JD Scholarships @ University of San Diego – Various JD scholarships are available for entering students who show academic excellence (such as a strong academic background/LSAT score).
• Cohen & Cohen Civil Justice Scholarship – An $1,000 scholarship available to a student currently enrolled in an accredited community college, undergraduate, or graduate program in the US (including first-year university students, who graduated high school or have a GED), and any high school Junior or Senior.
• DREAM Act Scholarship – An $500 merit-based, essay-contest scholarship which aims to support individuals who wish to make a difference in the lives of immigrants and other non-native individuals living in the US.

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Many more law scholarships in the US, from private law firms and external organizations, can be found listed on the University of Notre Dame’s law school website. Another US university listing external law school scholarships is the University of California, Berkeley.

This article was originally published in March 2015. It was updated in November 2018.

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Click here to read the latest version of this article, based on the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2018.

14 Australian universities are featured in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2017, which celebrates institutions around the world excelling in supporting employability. All universities in the ranking are assessed in five categories, including partnerships with employers, graduate employment rates and alumni outcomes.

Read on to discover 10 (actually 12, as some universities are ranked equally) of the best Australian universities for graduate employability in 2017…

1. University of Sydney

The University of Sydney is the only Australian university to appear in the top 10 of the employability ranking, at an impressive 4^th place. It ranks in the top 10 for the ‘graduate employment rate’ category, and the top 50 for all the other performance indicators. Sydney’s alumni community includes six Australian prime ministers (including incumbent Malcolm Turnbull), as well as five Nobel laureates and other notable figures such as writer Germaine Greer, actress Rose Byrne and activist Charles Perkins.

2. University of Melbourne

Ranked joint 11^th in the world for graduate employability, the University of Melbourne actually achieves even higher scores than Sydney for employer reputation and partnerships with employers. However, like Sydney, it achieves its highest score for its graduate employment rate. The university is active in supporting budding entrepreneurs, with its flagship Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP) funding and supporting start-ups. The MAP was voted the 8^th best university accelerator program in the world in 2015 and 1^st in Australia.

3. Australian National University (ANU)

The next of the best Australian universities for graduate employability is Australian National University (ANU), in 32^nd place. ANU achieves its highest score for employer-student connections and is currently in the process of launching ANU+, an initiative to encourage students to challenge themselves with community partnerships and volunteering, enhancing their employability in the process. The university also runs a number of international exchange programs, letting students improve their employability by gaining new experiences overseas.

4. Monash University

Ranked joint 42^nd in the world for graduate employability, Melbourne-based Monash University has a particularly strong score in the ‘employer reputation’ indicator. The university hosts a range of fairs, festivals and forums to give students the opportunity to meet employers from across Australia and beyond. It also runs a Queer Mentoring Program, an innovative, employability-focused mentoring program for Monash LGBTIQ students preparing to enter the world of work.

5. University of Queensland (UQ)

The University of Queensland (UQ) is this year ranked in the 51-60 range of the graduate employability ranking, and scores among the top 20 for employment rate and partnerships with employers. Known for its strong research focus, the university’s graduate employment rate is higher than the national average. UQ’s Advantage Office runs a range of career assistance workshops, short-term global experiences, undergraduate research programs (scholarships for research work during a semester break) and more.

6. Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

A neighbor of UQ in Brisbane, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is ranked 61-70 in the world for graduate employability in 2017. It comes 10^th for employer-student connections, reflecting its commitment to giving students opportunities to connect on campus through career fairs, employer presentations and more. Employers can post job prospects through the QUT CareerHub, and students have the opportunity to take part in Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programs.

7. University of Western Australia (UWA)

Heading to the other side of the country to Perth for the next of the best Australian universities for graduate employability, the University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked 71-80, achieving a top-50 score for its partnerships with employers. Examples of UWA’s schemes to promote employability include the Career Mentor Link, which matches employers and students, as well as workshops and events to increase connections. 

8. RMIT University

RMIT University is ranked 71-80 in the world for graduate employability, and within the top 50 for the ‘partnerships with employers’ indicator. The university runs the RMIT Activator, a community for students interested in start-ups, in which students can gain practical skills, network, and access collaborative workspaces. RMIT also runs the Prince’s Lead Your Own Business Program and the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) to support the creation of small businesses.

9. University of Adelaide

Ranked 101-150 for graduate employability, the University of Adelaide receives its strongest score for the ‘partnerships with employers’ category. The university offers students a range of opportunities for industry placements and internships to increase employability, and was also awarded a five-star rating for graduate salaries by the Good Universities Guide 2016, with average starting salaries of Adelaide alumni far higher than the national average. 

=10. Curtin University

Heading back to Western Australia, Curtin University (located in the Bentley suburb of Perth) is ranked 151-200 for graduate employability this year, achieving a top-50 score for its graduate employment rate. The university adopts a global focus, with overseas campuses in Malaysia and Singapore, and has a number of partnerships with employers, providing work-integrated learning opportunities for students. 

=10. Macquarie University

Next up is Sydney-based Macquarie University, also ranked 151-200 for graduate employability in 2017. Macquarie receives a very high score for its graduate employment rate and is ranked 8^th for this indicator – the second-highest score amongst Australian universities, after Sydney. The university’s unique PACE (Professional and Community Engagement) program offers students the chance to broaden their experience by embedding real-world activities into their degree.

=10. University of Wollongong

Concluding our list and also ranked 151-200 for graduate employability this year is the University of Wollongong, which also features at 12^th in the world for its graduate employment rate. The university’s careers center offers a number of work-integrated learning programs (such as Career Accelerate, for high-achieving students), employability workshops and opportunities to meet employers on campus at career expos, industry panels and other events. 

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Sponsored by the University of Helsinki

Universities worldwide are offering a growing number of master’s degrees specifically designed for international students, often fully taught in English. In Finland, the University of Helsinki has just launched 28 international master’s programs – one example of the rapidly increasing number of options available to students seeking a master’s abroad.

With more possibilities than ever before, how should you decide on the best master’s degree for you? Here are six essential factors to consider when finding and comparing master’s degrees abroad…

1. Be smart about location.

When deciding on a study destination, consider a wide range of factors, such as cultural atmosphere, tuition fees and living standards. Depending on your personality and aspirations, you’ll want to prioritize different aspects of local life. Do you enjoy vegan food? Hiking? Live music? Exploring new landscapes? Connect with current students online to get a feel for the lifestyle. And if you’re hoping to work alongside or after your studies, make sure there are relevant opportunities and review the visa regulations.

2. Check out subject rankings.  

As well as consulting international rankings tables, take a look at specialized subject rankings to discover which institutions are at the top of your field. The University of Helsinki, for instance, ranks 91^st in the QS World University Rankings® 2016-2017. But how well does it fare in your subject area? If you’re interested in studying geography, Earth and marine sciences, English literature or economics (amongst other subjects), it could be a particularly good option for your master’s abroad. So, don’t neglect the subject rankings; they’re a great way to discover new options and focus your search.

3. Keep an eye out for universities that offer grants.

Studying a master’s abroad inevitably involves an investment… And a grant could really help you slash through the costs. The University of Helsinki offers generous grants covering between 50% and 100% of tuition fees, in addition to living stipends, awarded to students on the basis of academic merit. Could you be one of the next happy recipients? Find out more here.

4. Choose a course with a practical focus.

This is a pretty big one. Your master’s degree should prepare you for work in the real world – and this is not always guaranteed. When reading course descriptions, ask yourself:

• Does the course involve applying theory to real-life situations?
• Will I develop skills which are valued by employers?
• Are there opportunities to gain practical experience?

When discussing the program with the university, ask how this particular master’s abroad will prepare you for the job market, and decide for yourself how convincing the answer sounds.

5. Find a university with a good language center.

While your master’s abroad may be taught in English, this is a great opportunity to increase your employability by learning a second (or third/fourth/fifth) language. Your university should be able to help you with this. Does it have a language center? How big is it, how many languages are offered, and how easy is it to join a course? The language center at the University of Helsinki employs more than 70 full-time staff members, offering training in over 30 languages!

6. Ensure that the university mirrors your personality and priorities.

Your number one priority should be to find a master’s degree and university that resemble you and your preoccupations and values. Don’t be afraid of being introspective: what do you care the most about? Is it your earning potential? Problem-solving? Expressing your creativity? Improving people’s lives?

Whatever it is, make sure your institution’s ethos reflects your own. If you’re passionate about sustainability, the University of Helsinki could be your perfect match, being well-known for its research focus in this field. Many programs at the school involve contact with public policy organizations and businesses to find credible solutions to global crises. Sound like your kind of challenge?

Sleep on it. 

The QS Graduate Employability Rankings is an annual ranking of universities around the world, celebrating institutions which are committed to and effective in preparing students for the workplace. First published as a pilot edition in 2015, the ranking now features 300 institutions, providing the world’s students with a unique tool by which to compare university performance in this area. Each institution’s total score is compiled based on the following five indicators. 

The results are published in an interactive online table, which can be sorted by each of the five indicators listed above. To access the full functionality of the results table, including the option to view direct comparisons of specific universities, you first need to log in or register as a site member (completely free).

The Silicon Valley-based and famously entrepreneurial Stanford University tops the first full edition of the QS Graduate Employability Rankings, published today. Following last year’s pilot, this year’s expanded edition features 300 leading universities across the world, all assessed in five categories related to graduate employability.

US universities claim five of the top 10 spots, joined by both halves of the UK’s Oxbridge, and one entry each for China, France and Australia.

Stanford and MIT, first and second in the employability ranking, also lead the latest overall QS World University Rankings®, in reversed order. But in general the employability ranking follows a different pattern, with a more diverse spread of nations featured at the top, and a notably strong performance for STEM-focused institutions.

Also of note is the prominent representation of Chinese universities. Tsinghua University, in third place, is joined within the top 20 by Peking University (joint 11^th) and Fudan University (14^th).

The ranking aims to help prospective students identify institutions with a strong commitment to and outstanding outcomes on graduate employability. As well as incorporating the views of employers through a global survey, it also considers alumni outcomes, employment rates, industry partnerships and student-employer connections.

Note: As this ranking is still in its early stages, universities are able to opt-out of inclusion if they wish, and a number have done so this year.

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Click here to read the latest version of this article, based on the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2018.

The results of the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2017 are in, and European universities are well-represented among the top 300 in the world for graduate employability. The ranking assesses performance in five categories, including graduate employment rates, industry partnerships and student-employer connections. The UK claims 37 representatives in the ranking, Germany 15, France 11, and Spain 10. 

We’ve covered the UK in a separate article, so read on for 10 of the best continental European universities for graduate employability…

1. Ecole Polytechnique ParisTech

Ranked 6^th in the world for graduate employability, and the only non-UK European university in the top 10, France’s Ecole Polytechnique ParisTech receives its highest score in the ‘employer reputation’ category – reflecting its esteemed status, as one of the country’s highly selective grandes écoles. The university is a partner of the ParisTech Entrepreneurs Incubator, a support structure for innovative digital start-up projects, which launched more than 350 companies in 2015.

2. ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)

Switzerland’s ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) places 16^th in the graduate employability ranking, achieving its strongest score for ‘employer reputation’. ETH Zurich is associated with 21 Nobel Prize winners, including Albert Einstein and Wolfgang Pauli. The university supports budding entrepreneurs with Pioneer Fellowships, which enable recipients to further develop their research in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab (ieLab).  

3. KIT, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie

Ranked joint 20^th in the world for graduate employability, Germany’s KIT, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie places 11^th in the category assessing partnerships with employers, thanks to its strong cooperation with industry in a number of research projects and other collaborative efforts. KIT offers vocational training in more than 30 commercial, technical and scientific professions, and also offers the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) platform to help budding entrepreneurs. 

4. Technische Universität Darmstadt

Staying in Germany, Technische Universität Darmstadt (TU Darmstadt) is ranked joint 30^th in the world for graduate employability in 2017. It claims its highest score in the industry partnerships category, reflecting its involvement with global companies on research and employment-related partnerships. TU Darmstadt prides itself on its ‘Dual Career Service’, which advises students in finding employment and establishing contacts with employers in the region.

=5. University of Navarra

Heading to Pamplona, Spain, the University of Navarra (Universidad de Navarra) shares 37^th place with Politecnico di Milano in the employability ranking, with strong scores in the ‘employer pertnerships’ and ‘employer reputation’ indicators. The university aims to promote the professional development of its students, running the University of Navarra Business Foundation as a meeting point between businesses and students/alumni.

=5. Politecnico di Milano

Italian institution Politecnico di Milano places joint 37^th in the graduate employability ranking, achieving extremely high scores for both ‘partnerships with employers’ (2^nd in this category) and ‘graduate employment rate’ (3^rd). Politenico di Milano offers a range of international projects for student exchange, allowing students to study abroad at a partner university, and was the winner of the Nurturing Employability Award in the Wharton-QS Stars Awards 2014: Reimagine Education.

7. Chalmers University of Technology

Chalmers University of Technology, located in Gothenburg, Sweden, is ranked joint 40^th for graduate employability in 2017. It places 6^th in the list for its partnerships with employers, maintaining partnerships with companies such as Ericsson, Volvo and SKF. Notable former students of Chalmers include Nobel Prize-winning industrialist Gustaf Dalén, popular YouTube vlogger Felix Kjellberg (‘PewDiePie’) and architect Margit Hall.

8. Technische Universität München

Heading back to Germany for the next of our round-up of the best European universities for graduate employability, Technische Universität München (TUM) is ranked joint 42^nd this year, with its highest score for ‘employer reputation’ (21^st). As of 2016, more than 800 start-ups have come from TUM, and the university aims to foster a supportive environment for students with entrepreneurial ambitions to launch their ideas with a market-focused approach.

9. Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen

Also in Germany, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen (RWTH Aachen) is ranked 44^th in the world for graduate employability in 2017 and is not far behind TUM in its ‘employer reputation’ rank (24^th). The largest technical institution in Germany, RWTH Aachen maintains close links with industry, partnering with companies from various sectors to support the university in coaching, events and a broad range of other activities to support entrepreneurial students in achieving their goals.

10. Delft University of Technology

Concluding our look at some of the best European universities for graduate employability is the Netherlands’ Delft University of Technology (also known as TU Delft), ranked 47^th in the world for graduate employability in 2017 and also featuring in the top 50 of the ‘employer reputation’ indicator. The strong demand for its graduates is evidenced by a 2013 report which indicated that TU Delft graduates are more likely to find jobs faster and with a higher salary compared to the national average. 

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Click here to read the latest version of this article, based on the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2018.

The QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2017 features 37 of the best UK universities for graduate employability, of which 14 appear in the global top 100. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the two halves of Oxbridge are the UK’s leading representatives, reflecting the strength of their reputation among employers. However, the ranking is not only based on reputation; it also considers alumni outcomes, employment rates, industry partnerships and student-employer connections.

Here’s the UK’s top 10 in this year’s employability rankings…

1. University of Cambridge

The leading UK institution for graduate employability in 2017 is the University of Cambridge, which places 5^th in the list. Cambridge graduates are highly sought-after, and the university has the top score in the ‘employer reputation’ indicator. It also receives a high score for ‘alumni outcomes’, thanks to its many successful and renowned alumni. Famous Cambridge graduates include Stephen Hawking, Charles Darwin and Sylvia Plath.

2. University of Oxford

Ranked 8^th in the world for graduate employability, the University of Oxford has a list of successful graduates to rival Cambridge, including 27 British Prime Ministers, and prominent figures such as Oscar Wilde, Helen Fielding, Hugh Grant, Rosamund Pike and Lewis Carroll. Coming second behind Cambridge for employer reputation, Oxford ranks slightly higher than its competitor for alumni outcomes, and reports that 95% of undergraduate leavers are employed or in further study within six months after graduation.

3. Imperial College London

Imperial College London is ranked joint 20^th in the graduate employability rankings, and is the highest-ranked representative from the UK capital. Imperial encourages students to get involved in a range of placements, internships and volunteering programs (such as Imperial Plus) to help them gain skills and experiences valued by employers. This science-focused institution is associated with 14 Nobel Laureates, as well as prominent figures such as H.G Wells and Alexander Fleming.

4. UCL (University College London)

Ranked 24^th in the world for graduate employability, UCL (University College London) receives its strongest score in the ‘employer reputation’ category. In March 2016, the university was hailed by UK newspaper The Guardian for being a "shining example of support" for student entrepreneurs through its center for entrepreneurship, UCL Innovation and Enterprise. It also receives one of the top 25 scores for ‘alumni outcomes’.

5. University of Manchester

One of the largest universities in the UK and a member of the prestigious Russell Group, the University of Manchester is ranked 35^th in the world for graduate employability, again receiving its strongest score in the employer reputation category. According to the Graduate Market in 2016 report from High Fliers, Manchester is the university which is targeted by the largest number of leading graduate employers in the UK. The university’s notable alumni include Benedict Cumberbatch, Meera Syal and Brian Cox.

6. University of Bristol

Another of the best UK universities for graduate employability is the University of Bristol, at 39^th in the employability rankings. Bristol is currently working to implement an institution-wide initiative known as Bristol Futures, which is built around three pathways: Innovation and Enterprise, Global Citizenship, and Sustainable Futures. Working in partnership with the local community, the initiative encourages students to build transferable skills and attributes beyond the context of their academic discipline.

7. University of Edinburgh

One of the most popular UK universities in terms of applicants, the University of Edinburgh is ranked 50^th in the world for graduate employability. Six months after graduating, 94% of its students are in employment or further study, which is higher than the UK average. The university works to help student entrepreneurs with its award-winning LAUNCH.ed program, which offers free one-to-one meetings with business advisors and aims to help students stand out in the competitive jobs market. 

8. University of Nottingham

In the 51-60 range of the employability ranking, the University of Nottingham is second after Manchester in High Fliers’ list of universities most-targeted by the UK’s leading graduate employers. Nottingham was also recently ranked as the best university in the UK for graduate employment according to the 2017 Times Good University Guide. The university has a large range of notable alumni, including actress Ruth Wilson, D.H. Lawrence, and the current prime minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak.

9. University of Leeds

Also appearing in the 51-60 range of the ranking, the University of Leeds won the Entrepreneurship Award at the Guardian University Awards 2016, in which it was praised for its InTechnology Enterprise Incubator on campus at the Leeds Innovation Centre, which helps support and encourage entrepreneurial students in their start-up goals, creating almost 50 successful start-ups each year so far.  The university also offers a number of scholarship schemes to help students work towards their start-up goals.

10. King's College London (KCL)

Concluding our look at the best UK universities for graduate employability, King’s College London is also ranked in the 51-60 range, but appears in the top 50 for ‘employer reputation’. The university runs the King's Leadership & Professional Skills Award (KLPSA), a program designed to enhance students’ employability skills. King’s has another impressive list of prominent alumni, including Peter Higgs, Virginia Woolf, Greer Garson, John Keats and Desmond Tutu.

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