Results Announced: THE University Impact Rankings 2019

3rd April 2019

Times Higher Education (THE) released their first University Impact Rankings today, tracking the impact of universities on 11 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Topping the overall table is the University of Auckland, followed closely by  McMaster University in second and the University of British Columbia and  University of Manchester in joint third. 

It is great to see a UK institution rank so highly. From the UK and Ireland, 31 universities input data to the rankings:
 

Ranking	UK and Ireland Institution
3	University of Manchester
5	King's College London
12	University of Southampton
20	University of Dundee
21	University College Cork
23	Newcastle University
28	Trinity College Dublin
31	University of Aberdeen
33	University of Worcester
35	University of Limerick
37	University of Leicester
40	Brunel University London
44	Glasgow Caledonian University
50	De Montfort University
50	University of Strathclyde
55	Bournemouth University
57	Keele University
58	University College Dublin
76	University of Winchester
88	SOAS University London
98	Dublin City University
100	University of Surrey
101-200	Bangor University
101-200	Durham University
101-200	University of Greenwich
101-200	London South Bank University
101-200	Queen Mary University of London
101-200	Solent University
101-200	UCL
201-300	The Open University
301+	Arts University Bournemouth

The data also ranks institutions across the 12 SDGs that were measured. This shows some interesting data trends and areas of focus for UK and Ireland institutions. The UK and Ireland is particularly leading the way on Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), occupying first, second and third globally! The top 3 UK and Ireland institutions for each of the Goal's measured are below:

Goal 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing
5 -  King’s College London
6  - University of Manchester
9  - University of Surrey

Goal 4 - Quality Education
26 -  University of Worcester
45  - University of Winchester
51  - University of Aberdeen

Goal 5 - Gender Equality
4 -  University of Worcester
10 - King’s College London
12 - Glasgow Caledonian University

Goal 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
3  - University of East Anglia
4  - University of Limerick
5  - University of Southampton

Goal 9 - Industry, innovation and infrastructure
11  - UCL
22  - Trinity College Dublin
25  - Imperial College London

Goal 10 - Reduced Inequalities
11 -  University of Manchester
12  - King’s College London
14  - Glasgow Caledonian University

Goal 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
7  - University of Manchester
22  - University College Dublin
23  - University of Limerick

Goal 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
1 -  University College Cork
2  - Newcastle University
3  - University of Dundee

Goal 13 - Climate Action
7  - Newcastle University
8  - University of Southampton
10  - Trinity College Dublin

Goal 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
3  - SOAS University London
5  - University of Leicester
6  - King’s College London

Goal 17 - Partnerships for the Goals
1  - University of Manchester
10  - King’s College London
12  - Newcastle University

It is important to note that this is not the only data from the sector on their contribution to the SDGs. The SDG Accord, which is a pledge Higher and Further Education institutions are making to integrate the SDGs holistically, captures an even bigger ground swell of support for the SDGs. The reporting deadline for signatories was on Monday, 1st April, and we look forward to providing an update from the sector based on this more qualitative and holistic view of institutions contributions to the SDGs. 

Congratulations to all members that took part and especially to University of Manchester, the host of our Annual Conference - Influence! who are ranked 3rd in the world and 1st in Europe. 

Find out more about the Times Higher Impact rankings here.