Bradford University chiefs are celebrating after becoming one of the top 10 universities in the country at getting students into jobs.

In the Times Good University Guide, Bradford is seventh out of 99 with a rate of 83 per cent employability - the best figures for any Yorkshire university.

Ron Harle, the head of the university's career development service, paid tribute to the "motivation and determination" of the students.

He said: "The graduates' success reflects the work of academic tutors to develop relevant courses fit for purpose, the quality of professional support and guidance and above all the motivation and determination of our students."

The category includes traditional occupations such as doctors, lawyers, engineers and teachers as well as high-level managerial and technical jobs, high level sales, skilled clerical and lower-level company management.

In the overall ratings it jumped 12 places from 59th to 47th. Spending, student to staff ratios, teaching quality and research assessment are all taken into account.

In individual subjects it is ranked third in the country for mechanical engineering and fifth for nursing.

Vice-chancellor, Professor Chris Taylor said: "We place a high value on employment. We have an excellent careers service, very good links with business and industry and many of our courses lead to professional accreditation."

Mike Cartwright, policy executive for the Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is excellent news for both the university and the district as a whole.

"This improvement boosts its status with employers and enhances Bradford's profile in academic and students circles."

About a quarter of Bradford students are on "sandwich" courses while many are involved with industrial placements.

In employability, Cambridge was top with 89.8 per cent, then Robert Gordon, in Aberdeen; Imperial College, London, Aston, in Birmingham. Oxford was fifth and City University, London sixth.

l Bradford University has produced a new 16-page mature students' guide for the over-21s. It includes topics such as finances and services and the views of mature students.