ARU graduates top in region for securing senior roles
UK’s largest annual social survey also shows strong salary potential for ARU graduates
New data shows that Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) tops the East of England for graduates landing senior roles and ranks second for £45,000-plus salaries.
The findings come from the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is the UK’s largest annual social survey. Carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)*, the survey captures the activity of graduates 15 months after completing their degrees.
The latest figures, focusing on those who graduated in 2023-24, show that ARU ranks first in the East of England for the proportion of both undergraduate and full-time postgraduate UK students in roles classed as “managers, directors and senior officials”.
Nationally, ARU is placed sixth among mainstream universities in England for the proportion of UK undergraduates reaching these senior-level positions within 15 months of graduation.
The Graduate Outcomes survey also highlights the strong early-career earning potential of ARU graduates. ARU is ranked second in the region for the proportion of UK graduates earning £45,000 or more within 15 months, and in the top 20% of all mainstream English universities for the proportion of UK graduates earning this salary.
ARU has a strong focus on healthcare education, training the region’s next generation of nurses, midwives, audiologists and optometrists, and the latest figures indicate positive outcomes for graduates from subjects allied to medicine.
ARU is ranked second among all mainstream universities in England for the number of undergraduates from subjects allied to medicine in full-time employment or full-time further study within 15 months.
Meanwhile, amongst those who have studied part-time undergraduate courses, ARU is first in the East of England and third among English mainstream universities for the proportion of UK graduates who are in employment or continuing their education.
“These results provide objective evidence that our graduates are not simply securing employment but are progressing into positions of responsibility at an impressive rate. This reflects the high quality of teaching, industry engagement and professional support across ARU.
“Our courses are designed in partnership with employers and industry experts – including through our Industry Advisory Boards – to ensure students develop the skills that companies and organisations are looking for. Just as importantly, our careers advisors continue to support our students once they’ve graduated, helping them translate these skills into successful, fulfilling and well-paid careers.”
Professor Roderick Watkins, Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)* Source: Graduate Outcome Survey: Mainstream universities include HEIs in England, excluding specialist institutions and those with fewer than 500 students. Regional and East of England competitors include The University of Cambridge, The University of East Anglia, The University of Essex, University of Bedfordshire, University of Hertfordshire and University of Suffolk. The data used is based on rounded figures. Contains HESA Data © HESA 2026 (www.hesa.ac.uk)