Going to uni should give you a better shot at scooping up a top grad job… right? Erm, not necessarily. The chances of students from different UK unis getting a grad job in 2025 varies wildly.
The new Complete University Guide for 2026 includes data on graduate prospects and outcomes. Here are the 20 absolute worst UK unis for grad jobs, based on the per cent of grads who felt their careers were on track 15 months after escaping university.
A concerning amount of institutions that specialise in the arts are on this list. The University of the Creative Arts, Leeds Arts University, Norwich University of the Arts, University of the Arts London, Arts University Plymouth and Arts University Bournemouth are all among the worst 20 UK unis for grad jobs.
If you want to fantasise about which uni you should have gone to instead, here are the best UK unis for grad jobs. You’re welcome x
So, here are the absolute worst UK unis for getting a grad job in 2025, according to the Complete University Guide:
20. Kingston University – 70.1 per cent
19. Plymouth Marjon University – 70.0 per cent
18. Arts University Bournemouth – 69.8 per cent
17. Leeds Trinity University – 69.0 per cent
16. Falmouth University – 68.8 per cent
15. Queen Margaret University – 68.3 per cent
This is Queen Margaret Uni student accommodation, not the set of Divergent
(Credit: Stuart Caie)
14. York St John University – 68.1 per cent
13. Bath Spa University – 67.9 per cent
12. Middlesex University – 67.7 per cent
11. University of Roehampton – 66.5 per cent
10. Arts University Plymouth – 66.1 per cent
9. University of the Arts London – 65.9 per cent
8. Norwich University of the Arts – 65.3 per cent
7. University of East London – 64.7 per cent
A moment of appreciation please for how cool this campus looks
(Credit: O.F.E)
6. Goldsmiths, University of London – 64.4 per cent
5. London Metropolitan University – 63.7 per cent
4. University of Westminster, London – 63.5 per cent
3. Leeds Arts University – 63.2 per cent
2. University of Wales Trinity Saint David – 62.9 per cent
1. University of the Creative Arts – 62.3 per cent
For more like this, like The Tab on Facebook.
Featured image of the Deptford Town Hall building (which is used by Goldsmith’s, fyi) by Doyle of London.
