Universum's 2024 Most Attractive Employers in the UK Reveals Top Choices Among Students 

Key findings: 

• Google remains the most attractive employer for tech students. 

• Lloyds Bank is one of the biggest climbers in the tech sector this year. 

• Rolls Royce remains the top employer for engineering students. 

• JP Morgan & Chase is the most attractive employer for business students. 

• Secure employment is a top priority for students across all disciplines. 

• The public sector is increasingly seen as a safe haven for job security. 

• Tech students are willing to prioritize secure employment over remote work. 
  
  

Top Employers Shine Across Sectors 

The survey segments responses from students in fields including Business, Engineering, Technology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Law, and Health & Medicine, offering a comprehensive view of employer attractiveness from multiple perspectives. 

In the tech sector, Google maintains its leading position as the most attractive employer, reflecting its sustained appeal among tech students. Notably, Lloyds Bank emerged as one of the year's biggest climbers, demonstrating a significant leap forward and showcasing the evolving preferences of tech talent. 

Engineering students have expressed a strong inclination towards companies in the aerospace and automotive sectors, with Rolls Royce holding the top spot for another consecutive year. This underscores the company's enduring reputation and the sector's appeal among engineering students. 

Business students, on the other hand, have crowned JP Morgan & Chase as their most attractive employer for 2024, ousting Google for the first time, and marking a significant shift in preferences and spotlighting the banking sector's growing appeal among future business professionals. 

Emerging Trends and Insights 

The survey also sheds light on key trends affecting student perceptions and job market confidence. Secure employment has surged in importance across all disciplines, reflecting a heightened desire for job security amidst a backdrop of economic uncertainty. Interestingly, the public sector is increasingly perceived as a safe haven for job security, particularly among business students. 

 Another noteworthy trend is the flexibility trade-off, with tech students showing a willingness to prioritize secure employment over the option for remote work, indicating a shift in what young talents value most in their future employers. The average days expected working in the office has risen notably.  

The Rising Importance of Employer Branding 

Universum's findings highlight the critical role of effective and insights-guided employer branding and communication in attracting top talent. Companies that understand and align with the values and expectations of their future workforce—emphasizing aspects such as job security, development opportunities, and workplace culture—stand out in the competitive job market. The evidence in the research suggests that the greater proportion of businesses still have some work to do here.  

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