Employability and Opportunities

The EO1 - Employer Reputation indicator measures how employers perceive the quality, preparedness, and relevance of an institution's graduates. It provides an external assessment of the extent to which universities are equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and attributes valued by organisations and recruiters in the labour market.

The indicator recognises that employers are key stakeholders in higher education and are well placed to evaluate how effectively graduates are prepared for professional careers. Their perceptions provide insight into the reputation that institutions have developed for producing capable, adaptable, and work-ready graduates who can contribute positively to organisations, industries, and wider society. As a result, employer reputation serves as an important measure of the real-world relevance and effectiveness of higher education outcomes.

Within the Employability and Opportunities Lens, EO1 serves as the principal measure of graduate reputation and market readiness. While other indicators assess research impact, industry collaboration, skills satisfaction, and labour market conditions, EO1 focuses specifically on how graduates are viewed by employers involved in recruitment and talent development. The indicator therefore provides a direct reflection of institutional standing within the global employment market.

The indicator is derived from the QS Global Employer Survey, which gathers feedback from employers across a wide range of countries, regions, and industry sectors. Respondents identify the institutions from which they would most prefer to recruit graduates, based on their experiences and perceptions of graduate quality, professional preparedness, and long-term career potential. This approach ensures that the indicator reflects independent employer recognition rather than institutional self-reporting.

The indicator aligns most closely with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, recognising the role of universities in preparing graduates for meaningful employment and supporting the development of skilled workforces that contribute to economic prosperity. By highlighting employer demand for graduates from particular institutions, the indicator also reflects the contribution of higher education to workforce development, employability, and career success.

By assessing employer perceptions of graduate quality and readiness for employment, EO1 complements measures of skills development, industry engagement, research impact, and employment outcomes. Together with the other indicators in the Employability and Opportunities Lens, it helps provide a comprehensive understanding of how effectively universities prepare students for successful careers and contribute to economic and social development through their graduates.

The EO2 - Research Impact on SDGs for Employment and Opportunities indicator measures the extent to which a university's research contributes to economic development, innovation, effective institutions, and the creation of opportunities that support sustainable societal progress. It evaluates institutional research performance across three United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

The indicator recognises that universities contribute to employability and economic opportunity not only through education and graduate outcomes, but also through the research they produce. Research can generate new knowledge, support technological innovation, inform public policy, improve institutional effectiveness, and contribute to economic growth. By assessing research across multiple SDGs related to employment, innovation, and governance, the indicator captures the broader contribution of universities to creating the conditions that support prosperous and inclusive societies.

Within the Employability and Opportunities Lens, EO2 serves as the principal measure of research contributions to economic and societal development. While other indicators assess employer perceptions, industry partnerships, graduate skills, and labour market conditions, EO2 focuses on the influence and impact of research aligned with themes that underpin employment opportunities, innovation ecosystems, and sustainable economic progress.

The indicator draws on research classifications developed by Elsevier to identify and assess research outputs associated with the three selected SDGs. By combining performance across these areas, it recognises institutions whose research contributes to advancing understanding of workforce development, economic productivity, innovation, infrastructure, governance, and institutional resilience. This approach reflects the interconnected nature of sustainable development, where economic opportunity depends not only on employment, but also on innovation capacity and effective institutions.

The indicator aligns directly with SDG 8, SDG 9, and SDG 16, which collectively form the basis of the assessment and represent key dimensions of sustainable economic and social development. Research within these areas can help inform policies that support decent work, strengthen industries and infrastructure, encourage innovation, and promote stable and effective institutions. Together, these outcomes contribute to the environments in which graduates, employers, and communities can thrive.

By evaluating research impact across SDGs associated with employment, innovation, and institutional development, EO2 complements measures of graduate reputation, employer engagement, and labour market opportunity. Together with the other indicators in the Employability and Opportunities Lens, it helps provide a comprehensive assessment of how effectively universities contribute to career success, economic growth, and long-term societal development through the creation and application of knowledge.

The EO4 - Employment and Opportunities National Statistics indicator measures the employment environment within the country or territory in which a university operates. Using national employment rate data derived from World Bank unemployment statistics, the indicator provides contextual insight into the wider labour market conditions that influence graduate employment opportunities and career outcomes.

The indicator recognises that graduate employability is shaped not only by the quality of education and institutional support provided by universities, but also by the availability of employment opportunities within the broader economy. Labour market conditions can affect the ease with which graduates secure employment, access career progression opportunities, and contribute to economic growth. By incorporating national employment rates, the indicator acknowledges the external environment in which graduates enter the workforce.

Within the Employability and Opportunities Lens, EO4 serves as a measure of the employment outcomes and opportunity environment. While other indicators assess employer perceptions, graduate skills, research contributions, and industry collaboration, EO4 provides important contextual information regarding the economic conditions that support or constrain employment opportunities. The indicator therefore contributes to a more balanced understanding of graduate outcomes by recognising differences in national labour market conditions.

The indicator uses national employment rates as a proxy for the availability of work opportunities within a country or territory. Higher levels of employment generally indicate stronger labour market conditions, greater availability of jobs, and a more favourable environment for graduates seeking to transition from education into employment. As a result, the indicator reflects the broader economic context in which universities contribute to workforce development and career success.

The indicator aligns most closely with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, recognising the importance of strong labour markets, productive employment, and economic participation in supporting individual prosperity and sustainable development. It also supports SDG 4: Quality Education by acknowledging the connection between educational outcomes and graduates' ability to access meaningful employment opportunities.

By incorporating national employment conditions into the assessment, EO4 complements measures of graduate reputation, research impact, employer engagement, and skills development. Together with the other indicators in the Employability and Opportunities Lens, it helps provide a comprehensive understanding of how universities contribute to employability while recognising the wider economic environment that influences graduate success and economic opportunity.

The EO5 - Partnerships with Industry indicator measures the extent to which a university collaborates with major industry partners through active research relationships and joint activities. It assesses institutional engagement with leading global companies, recognising the value of partnerships that connect academic expertise with real-world challenges, innovation, and economic development.

The indicator is based on the principle that collaboration between universities and industry can strengthen the relevance, application, and impact of research. Industry partnerships provide opportunities for academic knowledge to be translated into practical solutions, products, services, technologies, and processes that address societal and commercial needs. Such collaborations can also create valuable opportunities for students and graduates to engage with employers, gain industry exposure, and develop skills that are relevant to the workforce.

Within the Employability and Opportunities Lens, EO5 serves as the principal measure of industry engagement and collaboration. While other indicators assess employer perceptions, graduate skills, research impact, and labour market conditions, EO5 focuses on the relationships universities build with major companies and the extent to which these relationships support knowledge exchange and innovation. The indicator therefore provides insight into how effectively institutions connect their teaching and research activities with the needs of industry.

The indicator specifically recognises active collaborations with companies included in the Forbes Global 2000. Partnerships with large and influential organisations often reflect an institution's capacity to undertake applied research, contribute to innovation, and engage with challenges that have significance beyond the academic community. By assessing the breadth of these partnerships, the indicator recognises universities that demonstrate strong connections to industry and a commitment to creating impact through collaboration.

The indicator aligns closely with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, reflecting the role of university-industry collaboration in supporting economic development, workforce preparation, innovation, and productivity. It also supports SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure by recognising partnerships that facilitate research translation, technological advancement, and the development of solutions that contribute to sustainable economic and industrial progress.

By evaluating the scale of institutional engagement with industry partners, EO5 complements measures of employer reputation, graduate skills, research impact, and employment opportunities. Together with the other indicators in the Employability and Opportunities Lens, it helps provide a comprehensive understanding of how effectively universities foster connections with industry, support innovation, and contribute to economic and societal development through collaborative activity.

The EO6 - Skills Satisfaction indicator measures employer satisfaction with the skills and capabilities demonstrated by an institution's graduates. It provides an assessment of how effectively universities prepare students with the competencies required to succeed in professional environments and contribute positively to organisations, communities, and society.

The indicator recognises that graduate employability is influenced not only by academic knowledge, but also by a broad range of transferable and professional skills. Employers increasingly seek graduates who can communicate effectively, solve problems, adapt to changing circumstances, demonstrate ethical judgement, work collaboratively, and contribute to organisational innovation and sustainability objectives. Employer feedback therefore provides valuable insight into the relevance and effectiveness of the skills developed through higher education.

Within the Employability and Opportunities Lens, EO6 serves as a measure of graduate reputation and market readiness. While the Employer Reputation indicator assesses overall employer perceptions of graduate quality, EO6 focuses specifically on employer satisfaction with the skills graduates bring into the workplace. The indicator therefore provides a more direct assessment of the extent to which higher education equips students with capabilities valued by employers across different sectors and regions.

The indicator is derived from the QS Global Employer Survey, which gathers feedback from employers involved in graduate recruitment around the world. Employers are asked to evaluate graduate performance across a range of key skill areas, including leadership, communication, problem-solving, creativity, resilience and flexibility, ethics and social responsibility, and sustainability mindset. By drawing on the experiences and perspectives of employers, the indicator provides an externally validated measure of graduate preparedness for employment and professional success.

The indicator aligns closely with SDG 4: Quality Education, recognising the role of universities in developing the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for lifelong learning, personal development, and career success. It also supports SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by recognising institutions that prepare graduates to participate effectively in the workforce and contribute to productive, innovative, and sustainable economies.

By assessing employer satisfaction with graduate skills, EO6 complements measures of employer reputation, research impact, industry engagement, and employment opportunity. Together with the other indicators in the Employability and Opportunities Lens, it helps provide a comprehensive understanding of how effectively universities prepare students for the workplace and support long-term career success through the development of skills that are valued by employers and society.