University of Southampton rises into global top 200 in THE Impact Rankings with strong SDG 17 showing

University of Southampton rises into global top 200 in THE Impact Rankings with strong SDG 17 showing

(IN BRIEF) The University of Southampton has achieved a top-200 overall ranking in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025 out of 2,318 universities assessed against the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with standout performances in Partnerships for the Goals (42nd globally), Responsible Consumption and Production and Life on Land (both in the global top 100). Leadership from Professor Phillip Wright, Professor Simon Kemp and Dr Alice Brock highlights the collective work of Southampton’s Sustainability and Resilience Institute and community partners—ranging from local biodiversity and clean-air projects to international research on climate impacts—while the University’s 94.9 score for SDG 17 demonstrates the power of collaboration. Additionally, Southampton was named 17th in the UK by the Complete University Guide.

(PRESS RELEASE) SOUTHAMPTON, 19-Jun-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — University of Southampton has been named among the world’s leading institutions in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, which evaluated 2,318 universities against the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Southampton shines in Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17), placing 42nd globally, and ranks within the top 101–200 universities overall. The University also secured top-100 positions for Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) and Life on Land (SDG 15).

Professor Phillip Wright, Senior Vice President, remarked that this recognition reflects Southampton’s commitment to embedding sustainability across teaching, research and community engagement. He highlighted the collaborative efforts of staff and students to foster a more equitable and environmentally sound future. Central to this progress is the University’s Sustainability and Resilience Institute (SRI), which unites multidisciplinary teams to tackle issues from local biodiversity initiatives like the Nature and Biodiversity Community Hub and Clean Air South network, to global projects addressing climate change impacts on food security and health inequalities in Ghana and Central and South America.

Professor Simon Kemp, Deputy Director of SRI, noted that these partnerships and projects have driven Southampton’s ascent—from the 301–400 band in 2023 to 201–300 in 2024, and now a top-200 placement in 2025. Dr Alice Brock added that the University’s SDG 17 score of 94.9 underscores the vital role of collaboration—both locally and internationally—in meeting the UN’s sustainability targets. Last week, the University also earned 17th position in the UK’s Complete University Guide, further testament to its growing excellence.

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SOURCE: University of Southampton