Careers and employability

We're ranked in the top 10 in the UK for the employability of our graduates* - we invest in your future beyond the end of your programme.

Employers value our graduates for their intellectual ability and highly developed transferable skills.

Employers back our graduates

Employers want more than a degree holder - they want a graduate with a range of skills and attributes, who can thrive in the working world.

Employers from all sectors regard Edinburgh as an excellent training ground for high-flyers and value our graduates' intellectual ability and high-level attributes developed while studying here.

We are well regarded by recruiters seeking talented graduates. High Fliers Research ranked us as the 15th most targeted university in the UK for 2022/23. Our graduates are ranked 26th in the world by employers (QS World University Rankings 2024).

Edinburgh is one of the top campuses that we target for recruitment. If you are looking for a university that will give you the skills and experiences to have a successful career, then Edinburgh is a good place to start.

Building your employability

Studying here is an opportunity to enhance your career – to develop new skills and abilities, grow in confidence and learn about yourself.

The development and long-term success of our students is fundamental to our approach, and that includes encouraging your efforts beyond graduation.

Our graduate attributes describe the skills and mindsets that will set you apart.

Graduate attributes

Our Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you realise your career ambitions, and offer practical advice about how to progress your career goals.

The service offers advice, guidance and careers information for all students and our recent graduates.

Careers Service staff can also help you to work while you study or advise on volunteering opportunities.

Build your experience

You might want to apply for jobs after your studies. Developing your skills through a range of different types of experience will help you to make strong applications. Part-time and vacation jobs, and internships, are one way to build experience.

Careers Service: find jobs while you are studying

The Employ.ed internships are based across the University and include a programme of career support.

Careers Service: internships

The Students as Change Agents (SACHA) programme brings together students from different subjects to tackle real-world problems with a wider social, environmental or economic impact.

Careers Service: Students as Change Agents

Backing your bright ideas

We have one of the most entrepreneurial student bodies in the UK. In 2022/23 our student startups secured more than £32 million in investment, grants and funding. During that time, we helped form 115 student startup companies, and we increasingly see a number of socially and environmentally-focused startups each year.

Edinburgh Innovations' enterprise service for students, our award-winning programme for student entrepreneurs, embodies our strong enterprise culture. It brings together a range of support services including:

• one-to-one business advice meetings
• start-up workshops and bootcamps
• competitions and awards
• events and networking opportunities

The service is free, confidential, and available to any Edinburgh student for the duration of their studies and for up to two years after graduation. It aims to help you distinguish yourself in a competitive job market and create real entrepreneurial opportunities.

We recruit a high number of Edinburgh graduates and would happily recruit more, as we find their academic qualifications are supported with excellent extra-curricular experiences – it’s this balance which makes them successful.

The Edinburgh Award

The activities you pursue alongside your studies, such as running a sports club, part-time work on campus, providing peer support or volunteering in the community, can prove rewarding in many ways, including broadening and enhancing your skills and employability.

The Edinburgh Award recognises your involvement in a wide range of co- and extra-curricular activities, and the skills and attributes you demonstrate.

We will support you to get the most out of your experiences, to:

• increase your self-awareness
• make the most of existing strengths and develop new skills/abilities
• make an impact whatever situation you are in
• confidently sell and demonstrate what you have to offer to employers

Many employers expect something extra from today’s graduates and the Edinburgh Award helps demonstrate what it is that sets you apart:

The Edinburgh Award