STUDENTS at three Glasgow universities are more likely to get work than graduates from Oxford.

And one has a higher success rate than Cambridge.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency has rated universities across the UK on how many of their young people are in work or further study six months after graduating.

Glasgow Caledonian University came 11th in the country with a success rate of 96.2%. That compares to the 94.9% of graduates from Cambridge who find a job or continue their studies.

The figure for Strathclyde University was 93.2% and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 93%, while Oxford achieved only 92%. Glasgow University's figure was 91.6% and Glasgow School of Art 89.8%.

Professor Pamela Gillies, principal of Glasgow Caledonian University, said there were two reasons for its success.

She said: "We work well with business who co-create the content of the curriculum we offer so we listen to their advice. The days when universities offer courses which are not relevant in the workplace are long gone.

"Also our London campus has been such a fantastic success because we have engaged with businesses that hitherto we could only have dreamed to work with, including some of the huge names in the fashion industry.

"I am thrilled with this study. It gives us a wee boost at the end of the academic year."

Katy Gordon, careers service and employability manager at Strathclyde University, was also delighted at her university's success. She said: "To out-perform Oxford is fantastic. That is down to the quality of our graduates and the work we do to develop their employability skills. The best prepared students are the most likely to succeed and we want to ensure that all our students are the best prepared."

A spokeswoman for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland said almost 100% of its students on the production degree progr-amme find work. She added: "Our students are trained to industry level. When they graduate they are instantly employable."

A Glasgow University spokes-man said: "We are proud that more than four out of five of our graduates were in professional jobs after graduation last year.

"Our university careers serv-ice hosts six major recruitment fairs involving 184 exhibitors vying to recruit our students and graduates."

A spokeswoman for Glasgow School of Art said one third of their young people study fine art with many, on graduation, pursue their craft in the studio and not in traditional jobs.

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk