Employability questions you should ask before choosing a university

When you’re choosing a university it might seem there are already a thousand things to consider. It’s a hefty decision after all, and getting it right takes planning. 

But alongside going to open days and comparing course modules, assessment styles and extracurricular activities, remember to consider your life after university by digging into employability outcomes. 

Even if you’re not sure exactly what you want to do when you graduate, by considering employability now you’ll be setting yourself up for success in the future. 

We’ve put our heads together with the University of Southampton to compile a list of useful questions you could ask your potential universities to help figure out your best match.  

When you’re researching universities, it’s smart to look into how each one might boost your job prospects. Statistics such as graduate employment rates and average starting salaries can be useful to compare. 

Don’t just look at the university-wide data, though. Try to get the numbers for your particular course, as these may vary between departments within a university. For example, a university might have a fairly average employment rate overall, but a much higher one for the specific course you’re interested in. 

Universities with high employability outcomes are often recognised and targeted by employers, which can lead to better career opportunities in the future.

You might have been planning your career for your whole life…or you may have only a vague idea of what you’ll do in the future. 

Either way, the resources you find at university should help you work towards a future career, long before you’ve even graduated. 

Second-year student Isabelle Kimberley is already making the most of this kind of career support. She's at the University of Southampton, where the careers team offers a range of one-on-one advice, careers fairs, mentoring and job application advice.

"You can do so much with a degree," says Isabelle. "The qualification sets you up for a good job, and all the life experience and employability skills you develop alongside studies help you push your career even further."

When you're looking at universities, keep an eye out for how its career services stand out. How will they help you discover potential jobs, gain key employability skills or build experience in your chosen industry?

Gaining practical experience at university can help you stand out from the job-hunting crowd when graduation rolls around. Before you choose a university, ask each one how they support students in finding placements. 

Iona Bateman is in the third year of a BSc Physiotherapy course at Southampton. She explains how she’s gained experience via placements during her time at university. 

“We have five academic placements within my physiotherapy course,” she says. “But I was also successful in receiving funding and support to organise elective placements in Mumbai and Sri Lanka shadowing physiotherapists who treated everyone from Bollywood stars to the Indian cricket team.”

Those with an entrepreneurial streak might seek out universities that will encourage and nurture those business dreams. At the University of Southampton a startup accelerator called Future Worlds can provide students with help, advice and ultimately funding for launching new businesses. 

“Future Worlds is a state-of-the-art space on campus for budding founders to work on their startups and work towards making a global impact,” says John, who works as a project officer there. “You can meet experienced mentors and other like-minded student startup founders.”

Look into societies too. At Southampton there’s the student-run social enterprise Enactus and the Social Impact Lab, as well as the business incubation network SETsquared – to name a handful. 

“There are so many enterprise opportunities to get involved in, no matter which degree you’re studying,” says Iona. “I participated in the start-up challenge and founders bootcamp weekends. This increased my confidence in presenting and pitching which has definitely benefited my academic work too.”

Your learning time at university can be much more effective if you’re studying somewhere with resources, support and facilities relevant to the industry you’re hoping to work in. 

This goes beyond looking at the curriculum, covering all sorts of aspects that can enhance your time at university and better prepare you for your future career. 

Academic support is key of course: this could cover access to experienced tutors, individual guidance and career advice. 

Alongside this, make sure the course provides the relevant facilities for your subject and industry, whether that’s the latest technology or a well-stocked library.

Before you settle on a university, explore the possibilities they provide for you to get real-world employment experience outside of your studies, whether that’s through part-time jobs, internships, placements or volunteering opportunities. 

Part-time jobs, both on or off-campus, give you the chance to rack up valuable work experience while you’re studying (and earn a bit of cash while you’re at it). They can equip you with essential skills, such as time-management, problem-solving and teamwork. Internships are another great way to build up your industry-specific experience: find out if the university has any links with businesses to help make it easier for you to land a placement. 

Some more practical courses will include other options for gaining experience, such as a study abroad year, industry field trips or summer research jobs with the university. Volunteering is also a valuable route, with many universities maintaining strong connections with local charities or community projects that could help you get your foot in the door. 

Active participation in societies is another fun way you can boost your employability – from sports clubs and hobby groups to academic and cultural societies. 

“There are so many ways to get more experience,” says Isabelle. “Personally, I would always recommend societies and volunteering. Both of these things help you build more than just work experience; you gain people skills, improve your employability and meet new friends. 

“Part-time work can also give you a chance to build time management skills, but I would prioritise opportunities relevant to your degree." 

There are many things to consider when choosing a university. But by keeping in mind your future employability - and asking the right questions when you’re choosing a course - you can set yourself in a positive direction from the very start.

A founding member of the Russell Group, the University of Southampton helps thousands of students to explore, develop and shape their futures through connecting them with hundreds of organisations, graduate recruiters and further study providers. 

97% of its graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduating, with an average full-time professional salary of £31.6k (HESA Graduate Outcomes, published June 2023).

The University of Southampton is listed in the top 10 of universities targeted by the largest number of top employers (The Graduate Market in 2023, by High Fliers Research Ltd).