Some are looking at Oxford; some are looking at where to study closer to home while some are just searching for a part-time course to get a head start in their careers, that's why different students would have different implications for good. But one thing that's popular among each student is that after completing their course they want to get a good job. Students wouldn't spend time going to a UK university if they don't pay them well for the work or career opportunity they have in mind, so the bottom line is to find a job and one that pays you well. Any of the few who end up going to colleges like Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, or their likes earn a little more than the majority of the students, but it's always better than what you're getting if you've never been to college. It takes us back to the fact that what you are doing at university and how well you are doing is more connected to a promising future than where you were going to school.
There are also more important issues deciding which job you are having and how much you are earning. If you look at graduates from universities that are well-rated in League Tables UK, you'll know that the grades required to get into the same will require further grades that will eventually help them earn further. But think a little deeper; good universities need good grades and in the end, it is a student's standard and abilities that matter more than what university they went to. Geography also plays a role here, let's say if the region you're looking to settle has more unemployment than other areas then graduates get hit similarly, but it's true they're less likely to get as influenced as non-graduates.
Another important aspect to consider after the universities and their rankings is what course you want to follow. It's no secret that those who study mathematics, science, law, economics, and engineering are getting good jobs and getting more paid. But what nice courses are those again? How those who take up dancing don't want to get rich to do that, but that doesn't even calculate their success. Students are still making music, and are still making a profession out of it. And what we're saying here is there are more ways to assess performance than just one.
The course you are learning makes a difference, too. Recently a different study revealed how earnings were all perfect for courses like medicine (no surprises there), mathematics, economics, law, and engineering. But that just takes us back to what we mean by top. Very few people are pursuing a degree in dance, because it will make them wealthy. There's more space for assessing success. You will have to decide what course suits best for you, and then look at the colleges that offer such courses as well as their course-wise rankings. In the end, you have to settle on a university that suits you, not the concept of a top university that everybody else has.
You're expected to do well once you find a university that suits you and a course that ignites your passion. If you're doing well then you'll be able to make a difference while looking for or applying for a position and set yourself apart from other graduates. This will weigh your university grades, your passion for the profession, your expertise, and skill above your university brand. It's important to note that going to a top university is crucial because at any given time you'll still have a cut above the non-graduates and the chances for a good job will also improve multiples.