The University of Manchester has ranked first in both the UK and Europe, and second in the world for meaningful contributions?towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) in the?2023 Times Higher Education (THE)?University Impact Rankings.
The Times Higher Education (THE)?University Impact Rankings, now in its fifth year, is the world’s only ranking that measures universities’ contributions to the 17 UN SDGs and social impacts across four broad areas: research, teaching, public engagement, and campus operations.
Under the record assessment of 1,705 universities from 115 countries/regions, The University of Manchester ranks top thanks to its strong commitment to sustainability across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching.
The University of Manchester is the only university in the world to rank top every year since the THE Impact Rankings launched its inaugural edition. Notably, it has secured the top spot for SDG 15 – Life on Land and was third for SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production.
As 2024 will coincide with The University of Manchester’s 200th anniversary, this top ranking cements its position as a leading global university, demonstrating how the world-class institution is delivering on all its core goals and living up to its values.
Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester said: “At The University of Manchester, social responsibility is a core goal and is very important to us. We’re delighted to be ranked first in the UK, first in Europe and second in the world in this year’s THE Impact Rankings, which are based on our performance against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.”
Everyone in The University community contributed to this glorious title. “The evidence submitted to THE covers a wide range of functions – Manchester’s cultural institutions, equality, diversity and inclusion, widening participation, research impact, public and civic engagement, the student experience and reporting on the SDGs,” noted Dr Julian Skyrme, Director of Social Responsibility at The University of Manchester who leads the institution’s entry to the ranking.
The THE Impact Rankings has risen as one of the world’s most important university rankings. Phil Baty, Chief Knowledge Officer of THE, said that “it moves away from the traditional and more narrow approach to rankings and looks at far broader issues, examining how universities are improving our world.”
British universities are exceptional in social and environmental impact, taking more than a quarter of the top 100 places in the overall ranking, with a diversity of institutions showcasing excellence. It is a testament to how seriously British institutions take critically important goals, and how the UK higher education sector is taking a global lead on international sustainability issues.
