"The 2024 Universum talent survey is bringing its lot of surprises!
Our first observation is employers heavily relying on their strong consumer brand are no longer catching students’ votes if they are not active on campus or online. 
Professionals’ services and B2B companies are having a real pay off their activities in all the Universum rankings as Swiss students have paid more attention to companies offering them great careers.
Business students show interest in the banking sector again, with UBS as the top pick, climbing in front of Google for the first time. Students are worrying about wage gaps, especially in tech and STEM. For the first time in many years, IT students value job security more than new technology, AI and layoffs occupying the headlines in 2023. Students in Engineering are also expanding their choice: Hitachi and Richemont attracting more talent than in the last years.
When it comes to flexibility expectations, remote work preferences have shifted – students now prefer 2 days a week, not 3.
The results from this year's talent survey can provide businesses valuable info to adjust their hiring plans for the future Swiss workforce."

Leo Marty

Uncover groundbreaking insights on career aspirations and the evolving workplace. Universum’s Student Survey goes beyond the surface, offering a deep dive into wage disparities, gender perspectives, and the secrets of the most attractive workplaces.


Discover the Future of Workplaces

For questions or interview requests, please contact:

Country Manager Switzerland & Austria leo.marty@universumglobal.com

Tobias Mészáros

Account Manager tobias.meszaros@universumglobal.com

About Universum

Student Survey 2024 | Switzerland

Universum has officially released the results of its 2024 Most Attractive Employers survey in Switzerland, providing key insights into the companies and sectors that are capturing the attention of the nation's students across various disciplines. The survey presents fresh data, highlighting trends and employer preferences among the future workforce.

Switzerland Talent Survey 2024 | Universum

Universum has officially released the results of its 2024 Most Attractive Employers survey in Switzerland, providing key insights into the companies and sectors that are capturing the attention of the nation's students across various disciplines. With participation from 8,872 students between September 2023 and March 2024, the survey presents fresh data, highlighting trends and employer preferences among the future workforce.

Talent Survey Switzerland 2024

"This is a year where some of the most interesting of underlying trends have emerged. Who would have thought we were ever going to see Google knocked off a top spot? But J.P. Morgan Chase achieved this with Business students. Congratulations also to Roll-Royce for leading the way again with Engineering Students, holding off the attention of a cluster of strong brands. Clearly the ever-increasing importance of security, on the backdrop of a cost-of-living crisis and tech redundancies, is influencing those coming into the workplace, and we need to be aware of this, as well as some of the evidence in our research implying some perceived barriers and uncertainty entering the workforce. I therefore can’t stress enough how thoughtful we need to be with our recruitment communications right now, with a young talent group that is treading carefully into the workforce."

Steve Ward

Head of Employer Branding Solutions for UK&I steve.ward@universumglobal.com

Petter Granqvist

Global Head of Digital Marketing petter.granqvist@universumglobal.com

Student Survey 2024 | UK

Universum has officially released the results of its 2024 Most Attractive Employers survey in the UK, providing key insights into the companies and sectors that are capturing the attention of the nation's students across various disciplines. With participation from nearly 32,000 students between October 2023 and January 2024, the survey presents fresh data, highlighting trends and employer preferences among the future workforce.

UK Student Survey 2024 | Universum

Talent Survey UK 2024

Download the full report ⬇️

The trend of the declining attractiveness of the start-up dream in favor of stability and security is a persistent trend that companies are wise to address to secure future competence. What's new is that we see a sense of responsibility among students for Sweden's security; they seem to recognize the importance of involvement and want to contribute.

Emil Adén

Country Manager Sweden emil.aden@universumglobal.com

Katarina Marais

Head of Enterprise Marketing katarina.marais@universumglobal.com

Student Survey 2024 | Sweden

The survey is Sweden's most comprehensive student survey, with over 23,000 respondents from 34 different colleges and universities in Sweden this year alone. Students have answered questions about the qualities they prioritize in future employment and, above all, who the dream employer is. Universum's surveys are answered annually by over 1.5 million talents in 65 markets worldwide - providing us with a unique knowledge base and understanding of what talent seek and expect from their employers.

Sweden Student Survey 2024 | Universum

For the 36th consecutive year, Universum has surveyed which companies and organizations Swedish students prefer to work for, and what qualities they value in a future employer. Several previous favorite workplaces remain at the top, while interest in the FinTech sector is declining. The survey also indicates an increased interest in working for Sweden's security sector. Additionally, a widespread desire for secure employment with high salaries, and increased disparities between male and female salary expectations remain at the top.

Talent Survey Sweden 2024

Universums studentundersokning 2024

Every year Universum surveys over 1 million students and professionals worldwide to identify the brand image status of the most attractive employers. Our Analytics solutions give you the insights you need to win the war for talent.

Do you wish to better understand your brand image, audience and competitors?

Compensation Remains #1 Factor for Students Choosing New Jobs

Research from Universum shows students are focused on pay and training/development above all other factors.

Research from Universum shows students are focused on pay and training/development above all other factors – a flight to traditional career priorities in an uncertain global economy.



Universum Appoints Fredrik Svesse as Chief People Officer

Universum is thrilled to announce the appointment of Fredrik Svesse as the company’s Chief People Officer.

Universum Global Presents Exciting 2023 Trends from the Brazil Student Survey

The data-driven Employer Branding agency Universum announces the results of its Talent Survey 2023 in Brazil.

Universum Talent Survey – Brazil 2023 Results

Canadian university graduates prioritize high future earnings over support for DE&I in their career choices in 2023

Discover Canadian University Graduates' Salary Trends and Career Priorities in 2023 with Universum's Research.

Canadian graduates prioritize high future earnings in 2023

Discover Canadian Graduates' Salary Trends and Career Priorities in 2023 with Universum's Research. Explore the Most Attractive Employers and Insights on Remote Work Preferences among Canadian University Students.

US College Students Salary Expectations Down 6% in early 2023

The data-driven Employer Branding agency Universum announces the results of its Talent Survey 2023 in the United States.

Universum Talent Survey – United States 2023 Results

– Students rethink "ideal employers" for 2023.
– Students are drawn to traditional industries.
– Quality of life factors remain strong.

Hong Kong's Most Attractive Employers in 2023

Google, the HKSAR Government and J.P. Morgan ranked as the most attractive employers to Hong Kong university graduates

Hong Kong's Most Attractive Employers in 2023 Universum

Results of the Universum Talent Survey – Nordics 2023 

The data-driven Employer Branding agency Universum announces the results of its Talent Survey 2023 in the Nordics.

Universum Talent Survey – Nordics 2023 Results

Singapore’s future professional workforce still prioritizes a good work-life balance but have concerns about too much remote work

Female students ranked work-life balance and secure employment as top career aspirations. Meanwhile, male students prioritize employers who offer strong compensation now and in the future.

Singapore’s future professional workforce still prioritizes a good work-life balance

Gen Z tells who they think are the Most Attractive Employers in the UK in 2023! 

Discover the top choices of Gen Z for the most attractive employers in the UK in 2023! 

 Business & Engineering Students drift away from Tech.
- DE&I Highlights from our research.
- Remote working, the view from Students in 2023.

Although still attractive, interest in remote working opportunities wanes among Indian graduates

High future earnings, a friendly workplace and professional training & development top career preferences list.

Universum’s Talent Survey - India 2023

Dutch students seek jobs with good financial future in uncertain economic conditions; flexible working continues to grow in importance

Results of the Universum Talent Survey - Netherlands 2023.


Dutch students seek jobs with good financial future in uncertain economic conditions; flexible working continues to grow in importance | Universum

Results of the Universum Talent Survey - Netherlands 2023


Dutch students seek jobs with good financial future in uncertain economic conditions; flexible working continues to grow in importance.

Read the full report and discover the trends and insights in our Employer Branding NOW 2023 report.

What are the most important Employer Branding trends in 2023?

78% say employer branding is a critical strategy to remain competitive in an economic slowdown

Universum’s Employer Branding NOW 2023 survey, now in its 8th year, reveals how talent leaders are facing current challenges.

Universum’s Employer Branding NOW 2023 survey, now in its 8th year, reveals how talent leaders are facing the twin challenges of economic uncertainty and keen competition.

Training, good workplace and high future earnings top young Filipinos’ employment preferences

Young Filipinos prioritize employers who are able to offer training and development, a conducive work environment and high future earnings.

Universum’s Talent Survey - Philippines 2023

EBAx – An all new free course just for you! 

EBAx – Our third Employer Branding is now available.

EBAx – An all new free course just for you! - Universum

Women in STEM 2023

Cracking the Critical Talent Market

World's Most Attractive Employers 2023

Insights from our 2023 talent research in Switzlerland

Financial stability sought after by Swiss university students to navigate the downturn; banking remains at the forefront of students’ preferred industries despite recent issues faced by Credit Suisse.  

Insights from Universum's 2023 talent research in Switzlerland

- Students desire higher salaries and greater flexibility but are less inclined towards competitive and challenging work environments.​- The gender wage gap persists, with significant differences in salaries between male and female.​ Hard factors such as salary and benefits alone cannot win the hearts of students on campus.
- Students are willing to compromise on some aspects of flexibility to work for their dream employer, provided the company's employer brand is strong and can deliver on other important attributes.​

Talent Survey Switzerland 2023

The Employer Branding Academy by Universum is here to teach you the structure and techniques behind some of the World’s Most Attractive Employers. We have taken our years of experience with leading employers – from research and data-driven solutions, to developing EVPs, to activating Employer Branding campaigns – and encapsulated this global knowledge into an online course. 

Discover Universum's Employer Brand Management course

Employer Branding Academy - New FREE EBAx Courses

Universum is pleased to announce the launch of our new free Employer Branding courses available on our Employer Branding Academy website.

Employer Branding Academy is eXcited to share EBAx with you!  



The Global Partner Network by Universum, 2nd edition

More than 150 representatives from over 28 countries joined the virtual gathering: "The Landscape of Employability Transformation," this event featured a 2.5-hour session where Career Service partners from diverse universities worldwide exchanged invaluable insights and best practices on the subject of employability.

Universum Appoints Yusuf Azoz As New CEO

Universum announced today that Yusuf Azoz has been appointed as CEO of the company. An experienced business leader with a wealth of knowledge, Yusuf will take over the position from Mats Röjdmark and assume responsibilities effective today

Universum listed as a finalist: The Drum Awards for Social Media 

Universum listed as a finalist: The Drum Awards for Social Media - Universum

The campaign 'Unilever Calling - The Quest by Unilever 2022' has been listed as a finalist under the category “Largest ROI From a Social Media Campaign or Strategy”



Growing Gap Between What Young Talent Wants and What Employers Can Offer

Here is the full list of the most attractive employers in the world, voted by students in 2022. Download the free report here!

New research shows university students prioritize compensation and quality of work-life, while desire for “challenging work” plummets. Bumpy road ahead for hiring negotiations?



World’s Most Attractive Employers 2022: Key Trends and Findings   

Universum has just released its 14th annual World’s Most Attractive Employers report. Here, we have listed the key trends of 2022!

Research from Universum reveals the motivations of university graduates as they enter the global workforce.


Universum announced today that Yusuf Azoz has been appointed as CEO of the company. An experienced business leader with a wealth of knowledge, Yusuf will take over the position from Mats Röjdmark and assume responsibilities effective today.  

“I am delighted to welcome Yusuf Azoz as the new CEO of Universum, he brings considerable industry experience and is the perfect leader to take the business forward” said Ciaran McCooey, Chief Commercial Officer of Stepstone, Universum’s parent company.  

Yusuf has previously acted as Chairman and Interim CEO with the business, as well as his continued participation in the Universum board until this time. The company will greatly benefit from his vast experience in this space.   

When asked about assuming the role of CEO, Yusuf said the following. “The opportunity to be the CEO of Universum is very exciting. With my previous experience in the field, as well as board membership for the company, I believe I am able to bring my skills and knowledge to the table so that we as a team can continually move the company forward”.  

Azoz continued, “Mats brought the company to a strong and stable position. I am confident that with the amazing team at Universum, we will be able to continue this success and implement new strategies and initiatives that will reinforce we are truly the global leader in Employer Branding” 