The University of Manchester has reaffirmed its status as a global leader in sustainability by retaining its position in the top 10 worldwide in the 2025 QS World University Sustainability Rankings. These significant rankings evaluate universities based on Environmental impact, Social impact, and Governance (ESG).
With an overall score of 98.3 out of 100—an improvement from last year’s 98.0—the University ranks 9th out of 1,751 institutions, placing it within the top 1% of universities globally. This achievement builds on Manchester’s reputation as the only university in the world to feature in the top 10 in both the QS Sustainability Rankings and the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which measure progress towards the vitally important UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The UK has 26 universities in the top 100 globally and more top 10 universities than any other country or territory.
Dr Julian Skyrme, Executive Director of Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement said:
The University was able to demonstrate its commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion through policies like the Dignity at Work and Study Policy and its ambitious 2038 Decarbonisation Plan, which includes a landmark deal to build a solar farm with 104,000 panels supplying 65% of the University’s electricity.
In teaching evaluations, our taught programmes have been recognised as highly valuable, such as the MSc in Climate Change, delivered by the School of Environment, Education and Development, to equip students to address climate and nature crises.
The University’s public engagement programmes, such as the award-winning Poverty Matters programme which engages communities to tackle pressing social issues like child poverty, contribute highly to the institution’s positive societal impact. Last year the University was also awarded a Platinum Watermark award by the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE), which recognises universities’ engagement with the public. Manchester is only the second university to be successful in achieving the Platinum award.
Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility, added: “We want to be a world leader in social responsibility and environmental sustainability. This latest assessment of our impact by QS helps ensure people around the world are attracted to partner with us, or come here to work and study, because of our reputation for social responsibility. Well done to everyone in our community who has contributed to this success.”
Click“Read more” to know more about us
