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The world’s number one university in THE’s Impact Rankings 2023 revealed

ߣߣÊÓÆµ's Impact Rankings are the only rankings to judge universities' contribution to all 17 of the UN's SDGs across all their core activities: teaching, research, outreach and the stewardship of their own resources
June 1, 2023
ߣߣÊÓÆµ's Impact Rankings 2023

  • The world’s highest ranked university in the world in THE’s Impact Ranking 2023, in the overall category, is Western Sydney UniversityÌý
  • ߣߣÊÓÆµn and Canadian universities dominate the top 10 in the overall category taking three and four places respectively
  • ߣߣÊÓÆµn universities also dominate the upper echelons of the individual Sustainable Development Goals hitting top spot in seven out of the 17 goals
  • The UK has the most universities in the overall top 100 with 26, followed by Canada with 16 and ߣߣÊÓÆµ has 15
  • World’s only university ranking that measures universities’ contributions to the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • Assesses universities’ commitment to sustainability across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching covering all 17 of the SDGsÌý

Universities’ progress towards tackling the world’s greatest challenges are laid out in the ߣߣÊÓÆµ (THE) Impact Rankings 2023.

The ranking, now in its fifth year, is the world’s only one that measures universities’ contributions to the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and assesses their commitment to sustainability across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching.Ìý

A record 1,705 universities from 115 countries/regions are assessed. Progress is measured for each of the individual 17 SDGs, and across the goals as a whole, which sees 18 universities from 10 countries and regions achieve number one positions.Ìý

ߣߣÊÓÆµn and Canadian universities dominate the top 10 of the overall category with three institutions from ߣߣÊÓÆµ: Western Sydney University taking the overall top spot, the University of Tasmania in fifth and RMIT University is in joint seventh place. There are four universities from Canada: Queen’s University is third, the University of Alberta joint seventh, both the University of Victoria and Western University are joint ninth.

Also in the top 10 is one university from the UK – University of Manchester coming second, one from Malaysia - Universiti Sains Malaysia which is fourth, one from the US – Arizona State University (Tempe) coming sixth and one from Denmark – Aalborg University in joint ninth.Ìý

With the University of Manchester coming second it is the top European institution and with Queen’s University in Canada coming third it makes it the top north American university and Universiti Sains Malaysia in fourth place makes it the highest ranked in Asia. University of Johannesburg, in joint 46th makes it the highest ranked African university. National Autonomous University of Mexico in 32nd position is the highest placed Latin American university.Ìý

Impact Rankings 2023: overall top 10Ìý

Western Sydney UniversityÌý

ߣߣÊÓÆµÌý

1Ìý

University of ManchesterÌý

United KingdomÌý

2Ìý

Queen’s UniversityÌý

CanadaÌý

3Ìý

Universiti Sains MalaysiaÌý

MalaysiaÌý

4Ìý

University of TasmaniaÌý

ߣߣÊÓÆµÌý

5Ìý

Arizona State University (Tempe)Ìý

United StatesÌý

6Ìý

University of AlbertaÌý

CanadaÌý

=7Ìý

RMIT UniversityÌý

ߣߣÊÓÆµÌý

=7Ìý

Aalborg UniversityÌý

DenmarkÌý

=9Ìý

University of VictoriaÌý

CanadaÌý

=9Ìý

Western UniversityÌý

CanadaÌý

=9Ìý

UK universities have the most universities in the overall top 100 with 26, followed by Canada with 16, ߣߣÊÓÆµ has 15. New Zealand and the US each have seven in the top 100.Ìý

Turkey has the second most universities in the overall ranking with 79 and its highest placed is Istanbul Technical University,Ìýwhich came joint 58th.Ìý

More than 55 per cent of ߣߣÊÓÆµn and Canadian universities made the top 100 – the highest success rate of all 115 countries taking part in the rankings.Ìý

ߣߣÊÓÆµn universities dominate the top spots in the individual Sustainable Development Goals taking first place in seven of the 17 goals.Ìý

Western Sydney topped three of the 17 individual rankings – SDG 5 – gender equality, SDG 12 – responsible consumption and production and SDG 17 – partnerships for the goals – and is in the top 10 for six others. The university takes fifth spot for SDG 11 – sustainable cities and communities. Taking top spot for that SDG is Simon Fraser University (Canada), which was a focus of the UN’s High-Level Political Forum in July after the organisation highlighted its importance post-Covid.Ìý

Results of the 17 SDGs Ìý

  • SDG 1 – No poverty – University of Johannesburg (South Africa) 
    Research on poverty and support for students from poor families Ìý
  • SDG 2 – Zero hunger – Queen’s University (Canada) 
    Research on hunger, teaching on food sustainability and commitment to tackling food waste and hunger on campus and locally Ìý
  • SDG 3 – Good health and well-being - RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences (Ireland)  Research on key diseases and conditions, support for healthcare professions and health of students and staff
  • SDG 4 – Quality education - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Ghana) 
    Contributions to early years and lifelong learning and commitment to inclusive education Ìý
  • SDG 5 – Western Sydney University (ߣߣÊÓÆµ)Ìý 
    Research and policies on gender equality and commitment to recruiting and promoting women Ìý
  • SDG 6 – Clean water and sanitation – University of Exeter (UK) 
    Research related to water, water usage and commitment to ensuring good water management in wider community Ìý
  • SDG 7 – Affordable and clean energy -ÌýUniversitiÌýTeknologiÌýMalaysia (Malaysia)Ìý 
    Energy research, energy use and policies, and commitment to promoting energy efficiency Ìý
  • SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth - IPB University (Indonesia),ÌýRMITÌýUniversity (ߣߣÊÓÆµ)Economics research, employment practices and share of students taking work placements
  • SDG 9 – Industry,ÌýinnovationÌýand infrastructure - University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (Germany), University of Stuttgart (Germany), Technical University of Munich (Germany) University of Twente (Netherlands)Ìý 
    Research on industry and innovation, number of patents and spin-off companies and research income from industry Ìý
  • SDG 10 – Reduced inequalities – RMIT University (ߣߣÊÓÆµ)Ìý 
    Research on social inequalities, policies on discrimination and commitment to recruiting staff and students from under-represented groups Ìý
  • SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities - Simon Fraser University (Canada) 
    Research on sustainability, role as custodians of arts and heritage and internal approaches to sustainability Ìý
  • SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production – Western Sydney University (ߣߣÊÓÆµ)Ìý 
    Research on responsible consumption and approach to the sustainable use of resources Ìý
  • SDG 13 – Climate action – University of Tasmania (ߣߣÊÓÆµ)Ìý 
    Research on climate change, use of energy and preparations for dealing with consequences of climate change Ìý
  • SDG 14 – Life below water - Macquarie University (ߣߣÊÓÆµ)Ìý 
    Research on life below water and education on and support for aquatic ecosystems Ìý
  • SDG 15 – Life on land – University of Manchester (UK)Ìý 
    Research on life on land and education on and support for land ecosystems Ìý
  • SDG 16 – Peace,ÌýjusticeÌýand strong institutions –ÌýUniversitiÌýSains Malaysia (Malaysia) Research on peace and justice, participation as advisors for government and policies on academic freedom
  • SDG 17 – Partnerships for the goals – Western Sydney University (ߣߣÊÓÆµ)Ìý
    The broader ways in which universities support the SDGs through collaboration with other countries, promotion of best practices and publication of data Ìý

Europe is relatively over-represented within SDG 8 – decent work and economic growth, SDG 9 – industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 11 – sustainable cities and communities and SDG 16 – peace, justice and strong institutions. The 106 African universities in the rankings are most active within: SDG 1 – no poverty, SDG6 – clean water and sanitation and SDG 10 – reduced inequality.Ìý

The two most popular SDGs (excluding SDG 17) are SDG 4 – quality education – with 1,304 universities, followed by SDG 3 – good health and well-being – with 1,218 universities.ÌýÌý

Canadian universities submitted to the most goals – with an average of 13.2 SDGs out of 17. The global average is nine SDGs per university.Ìý

The nine countries that participated in the rankings for the first time this year are: Brunei, Curaçao, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Panama, Serbia, Syria and Zimbabwe.Ìý

This year is an important milestone in the Sustainable Development Goals, which were adopted in 2015, as it marks just over halfway to the 2030 deadline.Ìý

THE’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Phil Baty, said:Ìý

“The ߣߣÊÓÆµ Impact Rankings, now in its fifth year, is establishing itself as one of the world’s most important university rankings.Ìý

“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.  Ìý

“It is inspiring to see even more universities participate and see countries that don’t normally rank so highly do so well.ÌýÌý

“This is an extremely valuable tool for universities, governments, funders and policymakers to understand how universities are supporting the drive to meet the UN’s SDGs and what must be done to improve their performance even further in this massively important area.ÌýÌý

“The rankings are also vital for millions of prospective students who are increasingly demanding to see evidence that the universities they consider for their education are committed to sustainability and to helping them to become sustainably minded citizens.â€�  Ìý

Any university that provides data on SDG 17 – partnerships for the goals – and at least three other SDGs is included in the overall ranking. A university’s total score is calculated by combining its score in SDG 17 with its top three scores out of the remaining SDGs. The score for the overall ranking is an average of the last two years’ total scores.Ìý

THE Impact Rankings differ from its more established World University Rankings in their dynamism – they are growing fast, and this year the organisation has updated some of the questions asked of participants and more comprehensive validation of submissions was introduced.Ìý

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  1. About the Impact Rankings and methodology

The rankings assess universities on metrics across all 17 UN SDGs. The methodology was developed in conjunction with our partners Vertigo Ventures and Elsevier, and after consultation and input from individual universities, academics and sector groups. The findings are displayed in 18 league tables, one for each of the 17 individual SDGs, and one overall ranking table. To appear in the overall ranking table, universities must have submitted to SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals) and a minimum of three other SDGs. The total score is calculated as follows:ÌýÌý

  • SDG 17 – 22%Ìý
  • Top scoring SDG – 26%Ìý
  • Second best scoring SDG – 26%Ìý
  • Third best scoring SDG – 26%

The score for the overall ranking is an average of the last two year’s total scores. Ìý

New for this year:Ìý

  • Emphasis on the importance of education for refugee students
  • More challenging questions on education for sustainability
  • Updated questions in SDGs 3, 4, 11 and 16, and 17 where most universities were able to answer “yesâ€� to the previous versionsÌý

2. Overall top 100Ìý

If any of the tables are reproduced, you must credit: ߣߣÊÓÆµ (THE) and link to the full results here.

Western Sydney UniversityÌý

ߣߣÊÓÆµÌý

1Ìý

University of ManchesterÌý

United KingdomÌý

2Ìý

Queen’s UniversityÌý

CanadaÌý

3Ìý

Universiti Sains MalaysiaÌý

MalaysiaÌý

4Ìý

University of TasmaniaÌý

ߣߣÊÓÆµÌý

5Ìý

Arizona State University (Tempe)Ìý

United StatesÌý

6Ìý

University of AlbertaÌý

CanadaÌý

=7Ìý

RMIT UniversityÌý

ߣߣÊÓÆµÌý

=7Ìý

Aalborg UniversityÌý

DenmarkÌý

=9Ìý

University of VictoriaÌý

CanadaÌý

=9Ìý

Western UniversityÌý

CanadaÌý

=9Ìý

University of AucklandÌý

New ZealandÌý

12Ìý

University of GlasgowÌý

United KingdomÌý

13Ìý

Université LavalÌý

CanadaÌý

=14Ìý

University of Technology SydneyÌý

ߣߣÊÓÆµÌý

=14Ìý

Yonsei University (Seoul campus)Ìý

South KoreaÌý

=14Ìý

Chulalongkorn UniversityÌý

ThailandÌý

17Ìý

University of ExeterÌý

United KingdomÌý

=18Ìý

UNSW SydneyÌý

ߣߣÊÓÆµÌý

=18Ìý

University of IndonesiaÌý

IndonesiaÌý

20Ìý

Monash UniversityÌý

ߣߣÊÓÆµÌý

21Ìý

Hokkaido UniversityÌý

JapanÌý

22Ìý

University of BolognaÌý

ItalyÌý

23Ìý

National Cheng Kung University (NCKU)Ìý

TaiwanÌý

=24Ìý

Newcastle UniversityÌý

United KingdomÌý

=24Ìý

University of British ColumbiaÌý

CanadaÌý

=26Ìý

Michigan State UniversityÌý

United StatesÌý

=26Ìý

University of NewcastleÌý

ߣߣÊÓÆµÌý

28Ìý

Bournemouth UniversityÌý

United KingdomÌý

=29Ìý

University of CoimbraÌý

PortugalÌý

=29Ìý

University of the Sunshine CoastÌý

ߣߣÊÓÆµÌý

=29Ìý

National Autonomous University of MexicoÌý

MexicoÌý

32Ìý

McMaster UniversityÌý

CanadaÌý

33Ìý

University of CalgaryÌý

CanadaÌý

=34Ìý

University of GalwayÌý

IrelandÌý

=34Ìý

University of East AngliaÌý

United KingdomÌý

=36Ìý

University of StrathclydeÌý

United KingdomÌý

=36Ìý

Mahidol UniversityÌý

ThailandÌý

38Ìý

Macquarie UniversityÌý

ߣߣÊÓÆµÌý

39Ìý

Penn State (Main campus)Ìý

United StatesÌý

=40Ìý

York UniversityÌý

CanadaÌý

=40Ìý

Kyung Hee UniversityÌý

South KoreaÌý

=42Ìý

Kyungpook National UniversityÌý

South KoreaÌý

=42Ìý

University of MontrealÌý

CanadaÌý

=42Ìý

University of SheffieldÌý

United KingdomÌý

=42Ìý

University of JohannesburgÌý

South AfricaÌý

=46Ìý

KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyÌý

SwedenÌý

=46Ìý

University of SurreyÌý

United KingdomÌý

=46Ìý

Kyoto UniversityÌý

JapanÌý

=49Ìý

University of LeicesterÌý

United KingdomÌý

=49Ìý

University of SussexÌý

United KingdomÌý

=49Ìý

Amrita Vishwa VidyapeethamÌý

IndiaÌý

=52Ìý

Cardiff UniversityÌý

United KingdomÌý

=52Ìý

University of EdinburghÌý

United KingdomÌý

=52Ìý

University of WaterlooÌý

CanadaÌý

55Ìý

University of EssexÌý

United KingdomÌý

56Ìý

La Trobe UniversityÌý

ߣߣÊÓÆµÌý

57Ìý

Istanbul Technical UniversityÌý

TurkeyÌý

=58Ìý

University College CorkÌý

IrelandÌý

=58Ìý

Victoria University of WellingtonÌý

New ZealandÌý

=58Ìý

University of ReadingÌý

United KingdomÌý

=61Ìý

University of WollongongÌý

ߣߣÊÓÆµÌý

=61Ìý

University of OtagoÌý

New ZealandÌý

63Ìý

Auckland University of TechnologyÌý

New ZealandÌý

=64Ìý

Bangor UniversityÌý

United KingdomÌý

=64Ìý

Manchester Metropolitan UniversityÌý

United KingdomÌý

66Ìý

National Taiwan University (NTU)Ìý

TaiwanÌý

=67Ìý

University of SaskatchewanÌý

CanadaÌý

=67Ìý

University of PretoriaÌý

South AfricaÌý

69Ìý

University of AberdeenÌý

United KingdomÌý

70Ìý

Dublin City UniversityÌý

IrelandÌý

71Ìý

Griffith UniversityÌý

ߣߣÊÓÆµÌý

=72Ìý

Oklahoma State UniversityÌý

United StatesÌý

=72Ìý

Brunel University LondonÌý

United KingdomÌý

=74Ìý

Central Queensland UniversityÌý

ߣߣÊÓÆµÌý

=74Ìý

Chiang Mai UniversityÌý

ThailandÌý

=74Ìý

University of CanterburyÌý

New ZealandÌý

=77Ìý

Durham UniversityÌý

United KingdomÌý

=77Ìý

Charles Sturt UniversityÌý

ߣߣÊÓÆµÌý

=79Ìý

University of GuelphÌý

CanadaÌý

=79Ìý

University of LiverpoolÌý

United KingdomÌý

=79Ìý

Northumbria UniversityÌý

United KingdomÌý

=79Ìý

Chinese University of Hong KongÌý

Hong KongÌý

=83Ìý

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityÌý

TaiwanÌý

=83Ìý

Queen’s University BelfastÌý

United KingdomÌý

85Ìý

University of GreenwichÌý

United KingdomÌý

=86Ìý

University of LimerickÌý

IrelandÌý

=86Ìý

Massey UniversityÌý

New ZealandÌý

=86Ìý

Nottingham Trent UniversityÌý

United KingdomÌý

=86Ìý

Simon Fraser UniversityÌý

CanadaÌý

=86Ìý

Politecnico di MilanoÌý

ItalyÌý

91Ìý

University of CanberraÌý

ߣߣÊÓÆµÌý

=92Ìý

Monterrey Institute of TechnologyÌý

MexicoÌý

=92Ìý

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityÌý

United StatesÌý

=92Ìý

University of WaikatoÌý

New ZealandÌý

=92Ìý

Iowa State UniversityÌý

United StatesÌý

96Ìý

Khon Kaen UniversityÌý

ThailandÌý

=97Ìý

Shanghai UniversityÌý

ChinaÌý

=97Ìý

University of TorontoÌý

CanadaÌý

99Ìý

Dalhousie UniversityÌý

CanadaÌý

=100Ìý

Florida International UniversityÌý

United StatesÌý

=100Ìý

University of PlymouthÌý

United KingdomÌý

=100Ìý

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