We're ranked in the top 10 in the UK for the employability of our graduates (Times Higher Education, Global Employability University Ranking 2025) and invest in your future beyond the end of your programme. Employers back our graduates Your future 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. Competing your degree at Edinburgh puts you in a good position – our graduates are ranked 24th in the world by employers (QS World University Rankings 2025). 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. See our Careers Service website for more information on the help they can provide. Careers Service 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, as well as internships, are one way to build experience.Find job while you are studying (Career Service website)The Employ.ed internships are based across the University and include a programme of career support. Internships (Careers Service website) Backing your bright ideas We have one of the most entrepreneurial student bodies in the UK. In 2022-2023 our student startups secured more than £32 million in investment, grants and funding. During 2023-2024, we helped form 116 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 meetingsstartup workshops and bootcampscompetitions and awardsevents and networking opportunitiesThe 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.Edinburgh Innovations 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 extracurricular activities, and the skills and attributes you demonstrate.We will support you to get the most out of your experiences to:increase your self-awarenessmake the most of existing strengths and develop new skills and abilitiesmake an impact whatever situation you are inconfidently sell and demonstrate what you have to offer to employersMany employers expect something extra from today’s graduates, and the Edinburgh Award helps demonstrate what it is that sets you apart. The Edinburgh Award This article was published on 2025-04-17
