ROBERT Gordon in Aberdeen has been named Scotland’s top university for graduate employment.

An independent survey has shown that 97.6 per cent of Robert Gordon University (RGU) graduates are in work or in further study six months after leaving the university.

The latest statistics from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey show that RGU has the best employment record of universities in the non-specialist higher education institution category in Scotland.

RGU is ranked as fourth equal in the UK in the survey, which measures the proportion of UK-domiciled full-time first degree leavers in work or further study six months after finishing their course.

The DLHE survey aims to establish what type of employment or further study graduates are engaged in six months on, and their income.

In a statement announcing the result, RGU said: “To meet a shifting educational environment, and ever-changing industry and skills needs, RGU is continuing to implement innovation in employability, learning and professional enrichment, having recently invested in an employability and professional enrichment hub.

“In addition, the university recently introduced an innovation skills programme which will further equip students with essential expertise for the next generation of jobs and industries.”

Founded as an educational institution in the 18th century and named after the merchant who funded it, RGU has been a university since 1992. Prior to that it was known as the Robert Gordon Institute of Technology.

It has around 16,000 students from more than 130 countries on its campus at Garthdee and is internationally recognised for its work with the energy industries in particular.

It is the second time in less than a fortnight that RGU has come out on top in an academic survey. Last month, RGU’s online MBA programme was ranked first in the world for class experience in the prestigious QS Distance Online MBA Ranking for 2018.

It show that RGU’s online MBA programme, taught at Aberdeen Business School, scored highest for class experience with a 100 per cent ranking.

Out of 50 online MBA programmes from around the world included in this year’s rankings, RGU also came second with a score of 99.9 per cent as its faculty and teaching and was ranked joint 15th in the world overall.

Dr Ian Broadbent, MBA director at RGU, said: “It’s great that the quality of our online MBA has been recognised in these global rankings, and core elements of the student experience such as leadership week and the applied consultancy project are particularly valued by our students.

Speaking yesterday after the latest success, RGU principal Ferdinand von Prondzynski said: “The latest results demonstrate the close relationship we have with employers across all sectors to ensure our courses are tailored to meet their needs. They also show that RGU consistently prepares students for the workplace.

“Many of our courses include a work placement. These provide students with an opportunity to enhance their learning by gaining essential professional skills while making valuable industry contacts. They also often lead directly to job offers for graduates.

“We’re pleased to see that our commitment to equipping students for employment has again been recognised in the latest statistics from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey. It again confirms our position as the top university in the Scotland and in the top five in the UK for graduate prospects.

“RGU remains committed to supporting the employability of its graduates throughout their careers and offers a lifelong partnership in professional development.”