The UK 300: the most popular graduate employers for 2020/21
The UK 300 reveals the top 300 graduate employers, as voted for by students and graduates, and you can see the full list below.
We asked Trendence UK, a research business owned by the same parent company as TARGETjobs, to conduct a survey of university students’ attitudes towards employers and job hunting, and 71,713 students and graduates from 140 universities responded between 1 October 2019 to 15 January 2020, making it the most comprehensive survey of its kind in the UK. Now we can reveal not only the most popular 300 graduate employers in the UK but also the top employers in 19 different career sectors.
Ever since the UK 300’s first rankings appeared in 2012/13, we’ve been tracking students’ attitudes to employers through different economic climates – from the post-credit crunch and austerity years to (arguable) green shoots of growth to the uncertainty triggered by Brexit. One thing that has been constant throughout is that students’ top employers have been unwaveringly driven by their values and priorities, rather than the economic backdrop. This is why we are confident that, despite the survey closing before the pandemic really took hold of the UK, the rankings still provide valuable insight and inspiration for you.
How we compiled the survey that reveals the top 300 employers of graduates
Firstly, the survey asked respondents to declare a broad career sector in which they were interested. Secondly, they were provided with a list of employers and asked to select all employers/brands that they are aware of. Thirdly, they selected the top ten employers that they would consider working for and then the top three that they would definitely apply to.
Once collected, the data was weighted by the size of the university based on the Higher Education Statistic Agency’s (HESA’s) figures to ensure that findings are representative of the UK student population.
Who completed the survey?
Of the survey respondents, 24% were in their first year, 29% were in a middle year, 32% were finalists and 15% had already obtained an undergraduate degree
NB: Percentages have been rounded.
Last year: 1
Career sectors: IT and technology
Cancer Research UK
Last year: 2
Career sectors: Public service, charity and social work
BBC
Career sectors: Media, journalism and publishing
MI6 – Secret Intelligence Service
Last year: 4
Career sectors: Public service, charity and social work
Rolls-Royce plc
Last year: 9
Career sectors: Engineering
Last year: 7
Career sectors: Financial services and insurance, IT and technology, Investment banking and investment
MI5 – The Security Service
Last year: 11
Career sectors: Public service, charity and social work
Civil Service Fast Stream
Last year: 16
Career sectors: Engineering, Public service, charity and social work, Science and research
Microsoft
Last year: 8
Career sectors: IT and technology
British Airways
Last year: 13
Career sectors: Accountancy and financial management, Engineering, Aerospace, Electronic and electrical
PwC
Last year: 10
Career sectors: Accountancy and financial management, Law solicitors, Management consulting, Public service, charity and social work
ASOS
Career sectors: Retail, buying and merchandising
Unilever
Last year: 12
Career sectors: Consumer goods and FMCG
Deloitte
Last year: 14
Career sectors: Accountancy and financial management, Management consulting
Penguin Random House
Last year: 17
Career sectors: Media, journalism and publishing
Jaguar Land Rover
Last year: 18
Career sectors: Engineering
AstraZeneca
Last year: 21
Career sectors: HR and recruitment, IT and technology, Logistics, transport and supply chain, Science and research
KPMG
Last year: 24
Career sectors: Accountancy and financial management, IT and technology, Management consulting
Arup
Last year: 28
Career sectors: Civil and structural engineering, Construction and building services, Engineering, IT and technology, Quantity surveying and building surveying
NHS
Last year: 36
Career sectors: Public service, charity and social work
Teach First
Last year: 27
Career sectors: Public service, charity and social work, Teaching and education
Airbus
Last year: 19
Career sectors: Engineering
Barclays
Last year: 33
Career sectors: Financial services and insurance
Apple
Last year: 31
Career sectors: IT and technology
British Council
Last year: 25
Career sectors: Public service, charity and social work
Pfizer
Last year: 37
Career sectors: Science and research
National Graduate Development Programme for Local Government (ngdp)
Last year: 32
Career sectors: Management and business, Public service, charity and social work
European Commission
Last year: 30
Career sectors: Public service, charity and social work
Bloomberg
Last year: 43
Career sectors: Financial services and insurance, IT and technology, Media, journalism and publishing
IBM
Last year: 34
Career sectors: IT and technology, Management consulting
Last year: 57
Career sectors: Law solicitors, Banking, Capital markets, Corporate, Insolvency, Private equity, Real estate, Tax
Last year: 40
Career sectors: IT and technology, Investment banking and investment
Johnson & Johnson
Last year: 44
Career sectors: Consumer goods and FMCG, Engineering, Healthcare
McLaren
Last year: 54
Career sectors: Engineering
Oxfam
Last year: 53
Career sectors: Public service, charity and social work
McKinsey & Company
Last year: 41
Career sectors: Management consulting
Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains Ltd
Last year: 63
Career sectors: Engineering
Boeing
Last year: 55
Career sectors: Aerospace
Dyson
Last year: 58
Career sectors: Consumer goods and FMCG, Engineering, IT and technology
Siemens
Last year: 60
Career sectors: Engineering, Electronic and electrical, Manufacturing, Mechanical
Hilton
Last year: 70
Career sectors: Hospitality, leisure and travel
Rockstar Games
Last year: 52
Career sectors: IT and technology
Atkins
Last year: 174
Career sectors: Civil and structural engineering, Construction and building services
BMW Group
Last year: 56
Career sectors: Engineering
Arcadia Group Ltd
Last year: 66
Career sectors: Retail, buying and merchandising
Shell
Last year: 45
Career sectors: Engineering
STFC
Last year: 75
Career sectors: Science and research
Network Rail
Last year: 72
Career sectors: Civil and structural engineering, Engineering, Logistics, transport and supply chain
The Boston Consulting Group
Last year: 51
Career sectors: Management consulting
AECOM
Last year: 49
Career sectors: Construction and building services, Engineering, Quantity surveying and building surveying
Royal Air Force
Last year: 61
Career sectors: Public service, charity and social work
Bank of England
Last year: 62
Career sectors: Financial services and insurance
National Probation Service
Career sectors: Public service, charity and social work
Last year: 73
Career sectors: IT and technology, Investment banking and investment
Last year: 85
Career sectors: Accountancy and financial management, Financial services and insurance, Insurance, Retail banking, Investment banking and investment, Risk management & control
BlackRock
Last year: 71
Career sectors: Financial services and insurance, IT and technology, Investment banking and investment
Last year: 68
Career sectors: Accountancy and financial management, Corporate finance, Internal audit, IT and technology, Investment banking and investment, Corporate banking, Investment banking, Investment management, Markets, Operations, Private wealth management, Risk management & control, Structured finance
Last year: 83
Career sectors: Civil and structural engineering, Construction and building services, Engineering, Quantity surveying and building surveying
Royal Navy
Last year: 76
Career sectors: Engineering, Public service, charity and social work
Ubisoft
Last year: 78
Career sectors: IT and technology
Aston Martin
Last year: 48
Career sectors: Engineering
EDF Energy
Last year: 86
Career sectors: Civil and structural engineering, Engineering, Electronic and electrical, Mechanical, Quantity surveying and building surveying
Marks & Spencer
Last year: 74
Career sectors: Retail, buying and merchandising
Mars
Last year: 77
Career sectors: Consumer goods and FMCG
GE
Last year: 99
Career sectors: Engineering
Nestlé UK & Ireland
Last year: 81
Career sectors: Consumer goods and FMCG
BT
Last year: 97
Career sectors: IT and technology, Marketing, advertising and PR, Retail, buying and merchandising
Bain & Company
Last year: 84
Career sectors: Management consulting
ExxonMobil
Last year: 88
Career sectors: Engineering
Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd
Last year: 101
Career sectors: Engineering, HR and recruitment, Logistics, transport and supply chain
Bayer
Last year: 80
Career sectors: Science and research
Transport for London
Last year: 91
Career sectors: Engineering
Last year: 79
Career sectors: IT and technology
Roche
Last year: 93
Career sectors: Science and research
Last year: 102
Career sectors: Law solicitors, Banking, Capital markets, Commercial, Construction, Corporate, Criminal, Dispute resolution, Employment, Environmental, European & competition, Family, Human rights, IT & communications, Insolvency, Insurance, Intellectual property, Personal injury, Private client, Private equity, Real estate, Tax
Boots
Last year: 92
Career sectors: Retail, buying and merchandising
Diageo Plc
Last year: 110
Career sectors: Consumer goods and FMCG, Sales
Merlin Entertainments plc
Last year: 103
Career sectors: Hospitality, leisure and travel
National Grid
Last year: 105
Career sectors: Engineering
Sony Music
Last year: 113
Career sectors: IT and technology
Santander
Last year: 111
Career sectors: Financial services and insurance
Last year: 127
Career sectors: Accountancy and financial management, Financial services and insurance, Investment banking and investment
Last year: 120
Career sectors: Public service, charity and social work
Citi
Last year: 90
Career sectors: Investment banking and investment
Cisco Systems
Last year: 96
Career sectors: IT and technology, Sales
Explore Learning
Career sectors: Management and business, Sales, Teaching and education
RBS
Last year: 141
Career sectors: Financial services and insurance
Grant Thornton
Last year: 136
Career sectors: Accountancy and financial management, Financial services and insurance, Investment banking and investment
Balfour Beatty
Last year: 115
Career sectors: Construction and building services
Visa
Last year: 123
Career sectors: IT and technology
Bosch
Last year: 139
Career sectors: Engineering
Intel
Last year: 95
Career sectors: IT and technology
Jacobs
Last year: 118
Career sectors: Civil and structural engineering, Construction and building services, Engineering
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
Last year: 114
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Volkswagen Group UK
Last year: 143
Career sectors: Consumer goods and FMCG
Shoosmiths
Last year: 166
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Eversheds
Last year: 151
Career sectors: Law solicitors
BNP Paribas
Last year: 156
Career sectors: Investment banking and investment
Kier Group plc.
Last year: 135
Career sectors: Construction and building services
Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK
Last year: 150
Career sectors: Engineering, Logistics, transport and supply chain
Ford
Last year: 163
Career sectors: Engineering, HR and recruitment
nucleargraduates
Last year: 117
Career sectors: Civil and structural engineering, Engineering, Chemical, Civil and structural, Electronic and electrical, Materials and metals, Mechanical, Science and research
Abbott UK
Last year: 152
Career sectors: Healthcare
DSTL
Last year: 153
Career sectors: Engineering, Aerospace, Chemical, Electronic and electrical, Materials and metals, Mechanical, IT and technology, Science and research
Samsung
Last year: 29
Career sectors: Consumer goods and FMCG
Ministry of Defence – Defence Equipment & Support
Last year: 124
Career sectors: Accountancy and financial management, Engineering, Management and business
Willis Towers Watson
Career sectors: Financial services and insurance
Lloyd's
Last year: 121
Career sectors: Financial services and insurance
FTI Consulting
Career sectors: Accountancy and financial management, Financial services and insurance, Management consulting
WSP
Last year: 131
Career sectors: Civil and structural engineering, Engineering, Quantity surveying and building surveying
ScottishPower
Last year: 165
Career sectors: Engineering
SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy)
Last year: 214
Career sectors: Engineering
Schlumberger
Last year: 135
Career sectors: Engineering, IT and technology, Science and research
Capgemini
Last year: 133
Career sectors: IT and technology, Management consulting
Yorkshire Water
Last year: 146
Career sectors: Engineering
PA Consulting
Last year: 125
Career sectors: IT and technology, Management and business, Management consulting
Tesco
Last year: 128
Career sectors: Retail, buying and merchandising
BDO
Last year: 186
Career sectors: Accountancy and financial management, Financial services and insurance, Management and business
UBS
Last year: 129
Career sectors: Accountancy and financial management, Corporate finance, Financial services and insurance, Financial planning and wealth management, Retail banking, Risk management, Investment banking and investment, Corporate banking, Investment banking, Investment management, Markets, Private wealth management, Structured finance
Think Ahead
Career sectors: Healthcare, Public service, charity and social work
Career sectors: Management consulting
ABB
Last year: 175
Career sectors: IT and technology
Lidl
Last year: 144
Career sectors: Consumer goods and FMCG, Logistics, transport and supply chain, Retail, buying and merchandising
Thames Water
Last year: 140
Career sectors: Accountancy and financial management, Civil and structural engineering, Engineering, Management and business, Science and research
Mace
Last year: 138
Career sectors: Civil and structural engineering, Construction and building services, Engineering, Chemical, Mechanical, Quantity surveying and building surveying
INEOS
Last year: 252
Career sectors: Engineering
Last year: 157
Career sectors: Law solicitors, Commercial, Corporate, Dispute resolution, Private equity, Real estate
Jagex
Last year: 160
Career sectors: IT and technology
Leonardo
Last year: 171
Career sectors: Engineering
Nationwide
Last year: 212
Career sectors: Financial services and insurance
Buro Happold
Last year: 199
Career sectors: Engineering
Zurich
Last year: 167
Career sectors: Financial services and insurance
Last year: 187
Career sectors: Law solicitors, Capital markets, Corporate, Dispute resolution, European & competition, Insolvency, Intellectual property, Private equity, Regulatory, Tax
CBRE
Last year: 224
Career sectors: Property
Oracle Corporation UK Ltd
Last year: 210
Career sectors: IT and technology
Savills
Last year: 183
Career sectors: Property
Lloyd's Register
Last year: 203
Career sectors: Engineering
Barratt Developments
Last year: 194
Career sectors: Construction and building services, Quantity surveying and building surveying
JLL
Career sectors: Property, Quantity surveying and building surveying
Last year: 122
Career sectors: Accountancy and financial management, Public service, charity and social work
Anglian Water
Last year: 179
Career sectors: Engineering
Total UK
Last year: 185
Career sectors: Engineering
Mastercard
Career sectors: Financial services and insurance
Danone
Last year: 145
Career sectors: Consumer goods and FMCG
Oliver Wyman
Career sectors: Management consulting
Sellafield Ltd
Last year: 188
Career sectors: Engineering, Science and research
Career sectors: Management consulting
Caterpillar
Last year: 170
Career sectors: Engineering
Lazard
Career sectors: Investment banking and investment
Tata Steel
Last year: 196
Career sectors: IT and technology
Last year: 201
Career sectors: Management and business, Retail, buying and merchandising, Sales
Freeths LLP
Last year: 295
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Mishcon de Reya
Last year: 191
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Asda
Last year: 221
Career sectors: Retail, buying and merchandising
Career sectors: IT and technology, Investment banking and investment
Honda
Last year: 189
Career sectors: Engineering
Co-op
Career sectors: Retail, buying and merchandising
Next plc
Last year: 200
Career sectors: Management and business, Retail, buying and merchandising, Sales
Sainsbury's
Last year: 206
Career sectors: Retail, buying and merchandising
Dell
Last year: 190
Career sectors: IT and technology
Wood Group Plc
Last year: 182
Career sectors: Engineering
BAM Construct UK Ltd
Last year: 162
Career sectors: Civil and structural engineering, Construction and building services, Engineering, Quantity surveying and building surveying
DHL Supply Chain
Last year: 208
Career sectors: Accountancy and financial management, HR and recruitment, IT and technology, Logistics, transport and supply chain, Management and business
Career sectors: Consumer goods and FMCG
Reckitt Benckiser
Last year: 232
Career sectors: Consumer goods and FMCG
AkzoNobel
Last year: 213
Career sectors: Engineering
Anthony Gold Solicitors
Last year: 233
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Ocado Group
Career sectors: Consumer goods and FMCG, Engineering, IT and technology
Unlocked Graduates
Career sectors: HR and recruitment
McDonald's
Last year: 227
Career sectors: Hospitality, leisure and travel, Management and business, Retail, buying and merchandising
WPP
Last year: 168
Career sectors: Marketing, advertising and PR
Knight Frank
Career sectors: Property
QinetiQ
Last year: 204
Career sectors: Engineering
Veolia
Last year: 234
Career sectors: Engineering, IT and technology, Logistics, transport and supply chain, Management and business
UK Power Networks
Last year: 222
Career sectors: Engineering
LEK Consulting LLP
Career sectors: Management consulting
Severn Trent
Last year: 215
Career sectors: Accountancy and financial management, Engineering, Management and business
RSM
Last year: 229
Career sectors: Accountancy and financial management, Financial services and insurance
Laing O'Rourke
Last year: 181
Career sectors: Civil and structural engineering, Construction and building services, Engineering, Quantity surveying and building surveying
Phillips 66
Last year: 265
Career sectors: Logistics, transport and supply chain
Blake Morgan LLP
Last year: 177
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Fujitsu
Last year: 282
Career sectors: IT and technology
British Sugar
Last year: 225
Career sectors: Engineering, Management and business, Science and research
Jones Day
Last year: 202
Career sectors: Law solicitors
JCB
Last year: 219
Career sectors: Construction and building services
Cummins Ltd
Last year: 237
Career sectors: Engineering, Electronic and electrical, Manufacturing, Mechanical, IT and technology, Logistics, transport and supply chain
Browne Jacobson LLP
Last year: 260
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Royal Mail
Career sectors: Logistics, transport and supply chain
Skanska UK
Last year: 211
Career sectors: Construction and building services
Skyscanner
Last year: 238
Career sectors: Hospitality, leisure and travel
Mills & Reeve LLP
Last year: 249
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Morrisons plc
Last year: 244
Career sectors: Consumer goods and FMCG, Logistics, transport and supply chain, Retail, buying and merchandising
Brodies LLP
Last year: 226
Career sectors: Law solicitors
FDM Group
Career sectors: IT and technology, Management and business
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Fieldfisher
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Gowling WLG
Last year: 218
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Last year: 267
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Standard Life
Last year: 240
Career sectors: Financial services and insurance, Investment banking and investment
Galliford Try
Career sectors: Construction and building services
Air Products
Last year: 272
Career sectors: Engineering, Aerospace, Chemical, Manufacturing, Materials and metals
Inmarsat
Last year: 268
Career sectors: Engineering, IT and technology
Shearman & Sterling LLP
Last year: 236
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Kimberly-Clark
Last year: 299
Career sectors: Consumer goods and FMCG
Charles Russell Speechlys
Last year: 282
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Petrofac
Last year: 269
Career sectors: Engineering
Career sectors: Accountancy and financial management, Investment banking and investment, Investment management
United Utilities
Last year: 228
Career sectors: Engineering
DAC Beachcroft
Last year: 278
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Mercer
Last year: 263
Career sectors: Financial services and insurance
E.ON
Last year: 172
Career sectors: Engineering
M&G PLC
Career sectors: Investment banking and investment
First Group
Last year: 291
Career sectors: Logistics, transport and supply chain
Societe Generale
Last year: 216
Career sectors: Financial services and insurance, IT and technology, Investment banking and investment
Weightmans
Last year: 250
Career sectors: Law solicitors
King
Last year: 276
Career sectors: Media, journalism and publishing
Wates
Career sectors: Construction and building services
Shakespeare Martinaeu
Last year: 255
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Withers LLP
Last year: 245
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Expedia.com Ltd
Last year: 286
Career sectors: IT and technology
Qualcomm
Last year: 258
Career sectors: IT and technology
Farrer & Co
Last year: 275
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Centrica (British Gas)
Last year: 257
Career sectors: Engineering
Dechert LLP
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Taylor Wimpey
Career sectors: Construction and building services, Property, Quantity surveying and building surveying
eBay Inc.
Last year: 274
Career sectors: Consumer goods and FMCG
BLM
Last year: 294
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Penningtons Manches Cooper
Career sectors: Law solicitors
Vodafone
Last year: 281
Career sectors: IT and technology
Last year: 243
Career sectors: Financial services and insurance, IT and technology
Imagination Technologies
Career sectors: IT and technology
Croda
Last year: 283
Career sectors: Science and research