GRADUATES from the University of York are among the most employable in the country, according to a study.

According to a survey by the Russell Group, the university had the joint fourth highest rate in England with 84.6 per cent of 2008/09 graduates in further study or sustained employment during the three years following graduation.

York was one of only two institutions, along with Loughborough, where men and women fared equally well on this measure, both achieving identical scores, according to figures released by the Department for Education, which combined graduate data with HMRC tax returns.

Tom Banham, director of employability and careers at the university, said: “These are extremely positive figures and reflect the hard work of staff and students.

“Universities must ensure their graduates are properly equipped for the world of work or further study and these figures demonstrate that York is clearly succeeding in that area.

"Over the years York has launched a number of projects and initiatives to support the employability of our students, and I’m delighted to see that our graduates are now benefiting from that.”