The Guardian UK 300 is compiled from one of the biggest ever student surveys of UK employers and what students want from their graduate careers.

In the survey, students are asked which career sectors interest them the most and which organisations within those sectors they most want to work for. Students name employers that they know something about as opposed to recalling 'big brands they've heard about'.

The survey is detailed: it ranks the 300 most popular UK employers AND the most popular employers within 18 major graduate career sectors, including ranked lists by gender.

The in-depth data analysis in The Guardian UK 300 is based on the annual trendence Graduate Barometer survey of around 16,000 students conducted mainly via university Careers Services. It's the largest and most representative survey of its kind.