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