Essex University students are more likely than ever to secure top jobs after graduating, according to a national study.

The Complete University Guide shows 64.2 per cent of Essex students go on to find graduate-level employment or post-graduate study.

Only three universities in the UK have enjoyed greater improvement - last year’s figure for Essex was 51.4 per cent.

University drector of employability Dave Stanbury said: “We have worked hard in recent years to improve the job prospects of our graduates, recognising how important finding graduate-level jobs or postgraduate opportunities is to them.

“Significant growth of our internships programme has given our graduates valuable work experience, while our award-winning Frontrunners initiative increases the confidence, skills and employability of our current students.”

The university’s internships scheme has expanded in recent years, with 241 placements offered in 2013/14.

The Frontrunners scheme sees current students employed for up to eight hours per week during term-time, and up to 20 hours per week in the summer holiday.

Mr Stanbury said: “We have also created dedicated posts in our faculties to promote work experience, developing one-to-one coaching programmes for final-year students, and expanding our programme of careers talks and employer presentations.”