More than a fifth of students who completed their degrees at some universities last summer failed to secure jobs for graduates, according to figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
Statistics for those graduating at the end of the 2010-11 academic year revealed that while many universities catapulted students into the graduate job market others left graduates uncertain about their future prospects.
20.6% of those at East London University were not in study or work after graduating, with similarly low figures for those from Bolton University (21.2%) and London South Bank University (21.9%).
At the other end of the spectrum every graduate from Institute of Education was in work or further study six months after leaving with a similarly impressive score of 99% recorded at the School of Pharmacy.
Other higher education institutions that achieved over the 90% mark included the Royal Academy of Music 97.2%, the Royal College of Music 97.1%, the Arts University College in Bournemouth 97.7% and 98.3% of those at Harper Adams University College.
Of the larger universities 95.6% of Northampton University graduates secured work or study within six months of completing their course.
Commenting on the figures, Professor Patrick McGhee, chairman of university think-tank million+ said: "It's clear that at a time of high unemployment studying for a degree is still a very good way of getting a job.
"Modern universities offer a very wide range of programmes and welcome people of all ages including those who want to study part-time. There is still time for people to find out how they could start studying for a degree in the autumn to help them get the job they want in the future."
The figures also show that overall jobs for students who have recently graduated are still attainable with 90.3% of UK graduates in study or work after graduating last year. However, the data also showed that the number of students in work or further study after graduating were roughly half of those recorded in 2009/10.