Results Announced: THE University Impact Rankings 2021

21st April 2021

Times Higher Education (THE) released today (21 April 2021) the third edition of the University Impact Rankings which uses metrics based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) measuring institutions’ social and economic impact.

We are thrilled to see that The University of Manchester leads the overall THE Impact Rankings 202, while four other UK universities feature in the top 20: King’s College London (11th), Newcastle University (15th), the University of Leeds (16th) and the University of Leicester (19th). Eleven UK institutions make the top 50, up from nine last year.

The UK also tops three of the 17 tables on individual SDGs; it led only one last year. Manchester leads the lists on SDGs 11 (sustainable cities and communities) and 12 (responsible consumption and production), while the University of Plymouth tops 14 (life below water).

It is great to see UK institutions rank so highly!

Part of the UK’s improvement is driven by its increased representation, with 52 institutions participating this year, up from 35 in 2020. But most of the 98 countries/regions featured have seen a significant rise in participation, with the 2021 rankings including 1,240 institutions, up from 859 last year.

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 institutional signatories is Friday 7th May 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 EAUC members that took part! Find out more about the Times Higher Impact rankings here.