Harper Adams tops global ranking for ‘employer reputation’

Harper Adams University has been ranked as the world’s number one university for agriculture and forestry employer reputation, according to global feedback from businesses.

The Shropshire-based university has risen from four years of being placed second to top of the standings in the metric for employer reputation, in the 2022 QS World University Subject Rankings.

Compiled by higher education analyst QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the employer reputation indicator draws on the responses of tens of thousands of graduate employers worldwide. 

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For this year’s survey, employers in companies globally were asked to identify institutions they considered “excellent” for the recruitment of graduates – and the disciplines from which they prefer to recruit. 

Ken Sloan, vice-chancellor of Harper Adams, said: “It is most pleasing that Harper Adams University continues to build on its reputation with employers, now securing first place in the world for employer reputation in the 2022 QS rankings for Agriculture and Forestry.

“Our courses are co-developed with industry partners and our students are engaged throughout their studies with the real-world challenges and opportunities that industry partners face. That is why many of our graduates hold senior roles in a wide range of organisations.

“I congratulate all colleagues, students, alumni and partners whose efforts and commitments are reflected in this accolade.”

Overall rankings

Harper Adams ranked 14th overall in the UK for universities offering agriculture and forestry studies, and it was placed just outside the top 200 in the global rankings.

Reading University was ranked the overall highest UK-based university for agriculture and forestry studies, placing joint 11th in the global rankings.