Institute for Transport Studies (ITS)

A degree from ITS opens up a range of opportunities to develop a challenging and rewarding career. Transport consultancies are the largest employers of ITS graduates, but other common careers include those in government, academia, operators, logistics companies, not-for-profit and international agencies. 

ITS graduates work across the private and public sectors public. Many work abroad - for UK companies with overseas offices, for international organisations or for national governments.

Sample of 582 ITS graduates by employer type (2011).

Consultancy

For many ITS students the natural progression is to a job in consultancy. There is a long tradition of consultancies recruiting directly from ITS, ranging from small outfits to large multinationals with offices around the globe. The large consulting firms score highly on their brand name and graduate training programme, whereas smaller firms can often offer a niche environment.  

The consulting market is diverse and well established, so graduates have a wide range of organisations to consider. A ‘top 10’ of the larger consulting firms where ITS graduates work is below:

Sample of 250 ITS graduates by consultancy firm employer (2011).

Overseas Government

Many international students are sponsored by their government to come to study at ITS. Of these, some are already working in the transport sector (typically as a Planner, Highways Engineer or other role in their respective Ministry of Transport) whereas others may be just starting out on their career. On graduation, some students stay in the UK, others return to their home country, and some take up jobs in other countries – but all apply their new vocational skills and knowledge.

Sample of 90 ITS graduates employed national (non-UK) governments (2011).  

UK Government

The majority of ITS graduates employed in the UK public sector work for local or regional government. Local government bodies have a statutory responsibility for Local Transport Plans (LTPs), which promote national goals of economic growth, carbon reduction, equality, safety, health, and the environment. In large urban areas, LTPs and integrated public transport are the responsibility of Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs).  As a result, local government is an important source of employment for ITS graduates.