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The University of East London (UEL) has today called for a fundamental overhaul of Britain’s graduate recruitment system, following new research that shows outdated hiring practices are leaving graduates underemployed while employers struggle to fill vacancies.
The research with London Economics reveals a recruitment pipeline in crisis: over half (51%) of employers say recent graduates are not workplace-ready, yet almost all (97%) want stronger university partnerships. Meanwhile, competition has intensified dramatically with UK employers receiving 140 applications per graduate vacancy in 2023-24 – a 59% increase in just one year – while graduate roles have fallen 33% to their lowest level in seven years.
Professor Amanda Broderick, Vice-Chancellor and President of UEL, said: “The UK’s future — from the Industrial Strategy to AI — depends on universities delivering talent, ideas and impact. Now is the moment for the higher education sector to be the partner that business and the economy urgently need.
“The choice is simple. Britain can continue with a broken model that wastes our most valuable talent, or we can build systemic partnerships that align education with economic need. Graduate hiring is broken – and unless Britain dares to reinvent it, our brightest generation will become our greatest wasted asset.
“At UEL, this is already our mission. We have worked with more than 2,500 employers to co-design degrees that equip students not just to get jobs, but to create them. As a result, we have the fastest rising graduate employment rates nationally – particularly striking in the most socially inclusive student body in the country.
“Universities, employers and government must evolve skills and innovation solutions for a 5.0 economy.”
The research also reveals strong employer appetite for reform, with nearly nine in ten backing a national digital “front door” – a single online platform where graduates can connect to employers, streamline recruitment and supercharge their professional development.
Rosalind Gill, Director of Policy, Analysis and External Affairs at NCUB, said: “Now more than ever, higher education must work hand-in-hand with business to ensure education and research translate into real-world impact, and graduates are equipped for the future economy.
“With the Government’s investment in NCUB announced this month, we have a critical opportunity to strengthen partnerships across the innovation ecosystem and unlock the UK’s full potential.”
Gemma Aldridge, Head of Talent Acquisition at Siemens plc said: “When we advertise with a specific university the route to the careers platform is different for every institution. Depending on how many you engage with it can become an absolute nightmare navigating every individual system. A national digital front door would really help with this.”
UEL has demonstrated what is possible when universities genuinely commit to employer partnership. The university has joined the top 10% of the sector for employment-related outcomes, with 89% of students saying the skills developed during their studies will support their future careers. Graduate employability scores have improved year-on-year over the past six years. UEL has risen from 97th to 2nd in the UK for annual student start-ups, been shortlisted for University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards 2025, and its Royal Docks School of Business and Law has been shortlisted for Business School of the Year.
