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The University of Bradford has been rated seventh out of 99 universities in the country and top university in Yorkshire for graduate employment, according to The Times Good University Guide latest league tables.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chris Taylor, said: "We place a high value on employment demonstrated by one of our key values Making Knowledge Work. We have an excellent careers service, very good links with business and industry, and many of our courses lead to professional accreditation."

Crucially, The Times Good University Guide distinguishes between those who are in 'graduate-type' jobs from those who are not. In other words, the figures only include students who are working in positions that require or expect degrees based on the average level of qualifications held by employees in those occupations.

The graduate category includes traditional occupations such as doctors, lawyers, engineers and teachers, as well as high-level managerial and technical jobs. Occupations that have come to be seen as graduate-level, such as high-level sales, skilled clerical and lower-level company management, are also included. The figures also include those students who go on to postgraduate study.

The University of Bradford also jumped 12 places up the overall Times league tables this year, from 59 in 2003 to 47. The tables consider nine measures of quality including teaching and research assessment, entry standards, student to staff ratios and facilities spending. The University also appears in nine of the league tables 'top 20' individual subject ratings - ranking third in the country for Mechanical Engineering and fifth for Nursing.

Career prospects play a significant role in students' choice of university.

Head of the University's Career Development Service, Ron Harle, said: "The graduates' success reflects the work of academic tutors to develop relevant courses fit for purpose, the quality of professional support and guidance and above all the motivation and determination of our students."

Around a quarter of its students at Bradford are on 'sandwich' courses, whilst many others are involved with industrial placements. The University's Career Development Service, meanwhile, offers everything from careers guidance and CV clinics to graduate employment statistics on courses.

In 2003, the Service won a major national award for its 'needs-based' website. The website provides high quality, careers-related information.

Notes to Editors

Graduate employment rankings from the Times Good University Guide 2004 league tables:

Subject ratings:

The University of Bradford aims to develop students' effective skills of self promotion and self evaluation competences though academic programmes, through specialist career and personal development modules and through a diverse range of support resources, ranging from voluntary provision to 'earning while learning' via the University's JobShop.

The University's Impact programme is a leading example of how the University provides intensive support for special groups. Anyone considering Bradford in the future can obtain a copy of the University's 'Little Book of Careers'.

Telephone 01274 234991 or email careers@bradford.ac.uk

Further information

For further information, please contact Emma Scales in Corporate Communications on (01274) 233084/9 or 07879 437986. Alternatively, e-mail press@bradford.ac.uk or fax on (01274) 236280.

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