By Lauren Stark

Durham University graduates were recently ranked the fifteenth most employable graduates globally.

In the QS World University rankings, 17,000 blue-chip organizations recognised Durham graduates as among the most sought after in the world.

An impressive rise from 24^th place last year, Durham was ranked alongside the University of Edinburgh and ahead of Princeton University, one of the eight US Ivy League Universities.

Such demand is thought to be due to the distinctive education that Durham provides its students via the social and pastoral services offered within the college system as well as within academic departments.

Durham University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Higgins, spoke about efforts across the University and with external partners, which are “enhancing the employability of our students by providing professional advice together with opportunities and links with leading employers.”

Recently named by the Sunday Times University Guide the third best University in the UK for 2012, Durham University officials acknowledge that “whilst academic excellence is important, [they] recognize that academic success is only half the story.”

They strongly encourage personal development through participation in a wide variety of extracurricular activities.

Through a range of opportunities for personal development, the Durham student is thought to develop leadership skills, initiative and a sense of social responsibility during their time with the University.

This can be seen through activities such as the Durham University Charities Komittee’s (DUCK) RAG conference this September, which offered Durham students an opportunity to work closely with professionals in the third sector.

Additionally, the Durham University Consulting Society works with an array of world-leading consultancy firms including Deloitte and Accenture to support Durham students in successfully gaining graduate jobs.

A graduate recruiter for TeachFirst continuously recruits a large amount of Durham graduates each year and said that this was due to the fact that they “know that the quality is there.”