NUS Secures 8th Global Spot in Prestigious GEURS Employability Ranking
The National University of Singapore (NUS) has once again affirmed its status as a powerhouse in producing highly employable graduates, climbing to 8th place worldwide in the Global Employability University Ranking and Survey (GEURS) 2026. Released on October 30, 2025, by HR consultancy Emerging in partnership with Times Higher Education, this ranking places NUS just one spot behind Harvard University and ahead of Imperial College London. As Asia's top university for graduate employability, NUS outshines regional giants like the University of Tokyo (11th) and Peking University (12th), highlighting Singapore's rising influence in global talent production.
This achievement underscores NUS's commitment to holistic education that equips students with practical skills, global perspectives, and adaptability in a rapidly evolving job market shaped by artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, and geopolitical shifts. For prospective students and parents in Singapore eyeing top-tier higher education, this ranking signals strong return on investment through superior career prospects.
Decoding GEURS 2026: How Employers Rank Universities
Unlike academic-focused rankings, GEURS uniquely relies on direct employer feedback, surveying 12,350 human resource (HR) managers and recruiters from 32 countries who hire at least five graduates annually. These professionals cast 119,967 votes, selecting their top 10 to 15 universities from a list of 1,000 and justifying choices based on seven employability drivers: work expertise, graduate skills, specialisation, social impact and leadership, academic performance, internationality, and reputation.
The process ensures unbiased insights, as votes must include justifications tied to these drivers, with no weighting applied—just raw employer preferences. This methodology captures real-world hiring decisions across 22 sectors and 25 company functions, from startups to multinationals. For context, panel companies recruited 312,500 young graduates in 2025, representing 3.8 million hires projected for 2025-2026.
| 2026 Rank | 2025 Rank | University | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | USA |
| 2 | 3 | Stanford University | USA |
| 3 | 2 | California Institute of Technology | USA |
| 4 | 5 | University of Cambridge | UK |
| 5 | 7 | University of Oxford | UK |
| 6 | 16 | University of California, Berkeley | USA |
| 7 | 4 | Harvard University | USA |
| 8 | 9 | National University of Singapore | Singapore |
| 9 | 10 | Imperial College London | UK |
| 10 | 17 | ETH Zurich | Switzerland |
Singapore Universities Excel: NUS Leads, NTU Makes Impressive Gains
Singapore punches above its weight in GEURS 2026, with NUS at 8th and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) surging 10 places to 23rd—Asia's 5th. This duo outperforms their QS World University Rankings 2026 positions (NUS 8th overall, NTU 12th), proving Singapore's autonomous universities (AUs) prioritise employability beyond research metrics.
- NUS: Consistent top-10 since 2020, 1st in Asia.
- NTU: Tracks Yale (22nd), reflecting tech-focused strengths.
- Singapore joins US, UK, Switzerland as top-10 nations.
Other AUs like Singapore Management University (SMU) and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) bolster the ecosystem, though not top-250 listed here.
Key Employability Drivers: Where NUS Excels According to Recruiters
Employers prioritise universities fostering 'performance-based' talent: demonstrable skills over credentials. NUS shines in graduate skills (adaptability, digital mindset), internationality (global exposure), and partnerships. Its curriculum integrates AI across disciplines, preparing students for volatile markets.
Step-by-step, GEURS evaluates:
- Vote Selection: Top institutions named.
- Justification: Tied to drivers.
- Aggregation: Highest votes win top spots.
NUS's Winning Formula: Initiatives Fueling Global Recognition
NUS attributes success to the Centre for Future-ready Graduates (CFG), offering career roadmaps, internships, workshops, and a job platform with corporate partners. Programs like NUS Overseas Colleges send 2,664 students annually abroad for entrepreneurship. Industry ties—e.g., OpenAI curriculum integration—build AI-native talent.
Holistic approaches include NUSOne for leadership and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Mentorship Programme. These ensure graduates excel in sense-making, critical thinking, and innovation amid AI disruption.Learn more on CFG
Photo by Juliet Furst on Unsplash
JAUGES 2025: NUS Grads Outperform in Local Job Market
The Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey (JAUGES) 2025, administered by Singapore's Ministry of Education (MOE), reveals NUS's domestic strength. Of 7,567 fresh graduates surveyed (68.2% response), 89.8% in the labour force secured employment within six months—above the AU average of ~88.9%.
Full-time permanent (FTP) rate: 75.2% (AU: 74.4%, down from 79.4% in 2024 due to cautious hiring). Mean FTP salary: S$5,193 (up from S$5,101); median S$4,746 (up from S$4,600). Computing grads averaged S$6,674 gross; Business Administration S$6,962.
Top Fields and Salaries: Computing and Business Lead the Way
- Bachelor of Computing (Computer Science): 90.9% secured employment, 84.1% FTP, gross median S$6,400.
- Bachelor of Business Administration: 95% secured, 82.5% FTP, gross median S$6,000.
- Dentistry/Medicine: 100% employment.
- Civil Engineering: 96.2% employed within 6 months.
Over 9 in 10 across 18 programs succeeded, reflecting broad appeal. Compared to NTU (mean FTP S$4,812) and SMU, NUS commands premiums in high-demand sectors.Explore higher ed jobs in Singapore
Global vs Local: NUS Outshines Ivy League in Employer Eyes
NUS rivals ancient institutions—behind only US tech giants and Oxbridge—due to Asia's growth hub status. Singapore's stable economy, English-medium instruction, and multicultural context enhance appeal. NTU's Yale-like jump shows ecosystem synergy.
For international students, NUS offers scholarships and pathways to global careers, positioning it as a launchpad.
Navigating Challenges: Resilience Amid Cautious Hiring
Despite global slowdowns, NUS grads adapted via upskilling. CFG's group coaching and workshops addressed AI shifts. Unemployment in some humanities dipped, but FTP rose in nursing/design.
Stakeholders praise NUS's proactive stance: employers note 'resilient, versatile talent'; alumni highlight lifelong support.
Future Trends: Singapore's SkillsFuture and AI Push
With SkillsFuture enhancements and MOE's AI literacy mandates, Singapore AUs gear for 2030 demands. NUS's CSSH (Centre for Society and Systems Health?) and deep-tech accelerators position grads for quantum/6G eras.
Outlook: Continued top-10 for NUS as Asia leads talent export.
Photo by Marc Kleen on Unsplash
Career Advice: Leveraging NUS Ranking for Success
Aspiring students: Prioritise internships via higher ed career advice. Rate professors on Rate My Professor. Job seekers: Target university jobs or faculty roles.
Employers: Post openings at higher-ed-jobs. Singapore's higher ed scene thrives—join it.
