Around 46 graduates are applying for every job this year as competition for the best roles remains fierce, according to research.
A report suggests job prospects have improved for those leaving university this summer, with a rise in the number of graduate positions available.
It says top firms are still receiving high numbers of applications for every role on offer, with consumer goods and media companies being sent more than 100 applications for each position.
Many well-known employers have already finished their graduate recruitment for this year, or closed their application process early.
Overall, there were an average of 46 applications for every graduate vacancy this year, compared to 51 last year, a study by High Fliers Research (HFR) found.
In 2008, before the recession, there were 35 graduates competing for each job.
Consumer good firms received 160 applications for each job this year, while media firms received 110.
The report also suggests tough competition among graduates hoping to work in banking and finance or the oil and energy fields, with these industries receiving 84 and 74 applications for each opening respectively.
Martin Birchall, managing director of HFR, said: "Our latest research shows that competition for individual graduate jobs remains fierce, with employers receiving an average of 46 applications per vacancy this year."
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