The University of Manchester's Careers Service has been voted the best in the country for the fourth year running in the latest survey of graduate recruiters. It has consistently topped the league since the first survey was commissioned in 2002.
Over 100 graduate recruiters, who collectively employed over 11,000 graduates in the past year, took part in the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR)/ Barkers National Graduate Media Audit. Manchester retained its leading position ahead of Cambridge and Oxford, whose university careers services ranked second and third respectively.
Jane Ratchford, director of the Careers & Employability Division at The University of Manchester, said: "We're delighted to be number one in the country again. It's a testimony to all the hard work put in by our staff to maintain our standards and our reputation for effective services.
"We're constantly innovating to give our students a head start in their careers, helping them establish contacts, gain work experience and develop career-related skills. This year, for example, saw the launch of the Manchester Leadership Programme, which introduces students to the notion of sustainable leadership and community engagement, while equipping them with skills that are sought-after by graduate recruiters."
Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the AGR, commented: "Careers services play a key role in bridging the gap between graduate and employer. A positive relationship with a university careers service is essential for the graduate recruiter, and dealing with one that is objective and can provide a service over and above the basics is the key to success. Congratulations go to Manchester for yet again being voted the best."
The University received particular praise in the survey for its programme of careers fairs. Next academic year sees the introduction of the Diversity Fair (formerly the Ethnic Diversity Fair, now expanded to encompass and support a wider group of students); the Student Part-Time Jobs Fair, which aims to help students find suitable part-time work opportunities during their studies, and the Chinese Recruitment Fair, which will enable organisations to meet with up to 2,500 Chinese students studying across the UK, as part of the University's commitment to its international student community. | 
