Four times as many employers plan to increase the number of MBA (Masters in Business Administration) graduates they hire in 2012 compared to 2011, with 32% of firms expecting to increase salaries for such hires, according to the Graduate Management Admissions Council.

Overall, 74% of the 229 companies in 216 countries surveyed said they were looking to hire MBA graduates next year, up from 58% in 2011.

The survey also showed a number of firms looking to increase the number of internships they offer, although many still do not offer paid internships at all.

The survey also shows that employers put improving performance and productivity as their top priority overall, followed by cost reduction - expanding geographically and diversifying the organisation were priorities for a third and just over a quarter of companies respectively.