Photo caption: The 2025 QS World University Rankings have been published today showing UC rates highly for employment outcomes for its graduates.
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) is placed second in Aotearoa for employment outcomes in the 2025 QS World University Rankings published today.
It is also ranked second in the country in terms of its reputation with employers.
UC Tumu Tuarua Rangahau | Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Peter Gostomski says the results suggest University of Canterbury graduates are getting an edge in the employment market.
“This new report from QS confirms that employers value UC graduates highly because they know we provide our students with excellent, relevant skills and a high-quality educational experience.
“Our 2023 Annual Report results back this up, showing that 95 per cent of 2022 UC graduates had either found work or were in further study by the middle of last year. Our student-reported teaching quality score also reached 91 per cent last year, highlighting that our academic staff are doing a great job of preparing and engaging with their students,” Professor Gostomski says.
“Our recent Community Impact Report also illustrates the significant contribution UC makes to the local region and its economy, with about half of our New Zealand-employed graduates staying in Waitaha Canterbury to work. Our international students are also eligible to apply for a three-year post-study work visa after completing their degree.”
QS World University Rankings assess performance across employability and outcomes, learning experience, sustainability, research and discovery, and global engagement. Produced annually by global higher education consultancy QS Quacquarelli Symonds, this year’s report evaluated over 5600 universities around the world and ranked over 1500. UC was placed in the top 300 institutions worldwide for 2025.
Engineering and technology-related topics dominated the research published by UC academics, followed by natural sciences.
Professor Gostomski says UC researchers are taking a leading role in projects that aim to address real-world challenges. “Our academics also regularly work in collaboration with partners at international universities on high-impact research. We’re extremely proud of our impressive track record in this area.”