More than 1,500 universities submit data for impact ranking

More than 1,500 institutions from across the world have submitted data to Times Higher Education to participate in the fourth edition of the Impact Rankings.

The rankings, which are open to any university that teaches at either undergraduate or postgraduate level, are the first to measure global universities’ progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In total, 1,525 institutions from 110 countries/regions have submitted data for the 2022 rankings, a 23 per cent increase since last year. The Impact Rankings include 18 tables – one for each of the 17 SDGs as well as one overall ranking. 

The expanding participation rate reflects the growing importance of the SDGs within higher education institutions.

Russia leads on the number of submissions for the second consecutive year, with 103 universities in the country providing data, up from 86 last year. Japan is second with 84, while Pakistan has risen to third place, with 66 institutions taking part, up from 39 in 2021.

India and Turkey are fourth with 64, while Thailand is now on a par with the UK with 55 participating institutions, up from 26.

Excluding SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals), the only goal that universities must provide data on to be included in the overall ranking, SDG 4 (quality education) once again received the most submissions, with 1,181 institutions volunteering information on metrics including their lifelong-learning measures and their proportion of first-generation students.

This was followed by SDG 3 (good health and well-being), which received submissions from 1,103 universities, and SDG 5 (gender equality) with 939 submissions.

However, there are regional differences. For example, universities in Oceania are most likely to submit data on SDG 3, followed by 10 (reduced inequalities), 11 (sustainable cities and communities) and 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).

The greatest regional disparity occurs for SDG 15 (life on land); 66 per cent of institutions in Oceania submit data on this goal, compared with just 31 per cent of those in Asia.

Meanwhile, only in North America do the majority of institutions submit data on SDG 2 (zero hunger) (51 per cent); this drops to 30 per cent in Europe, 37 per cent in Asia and Oceania, 42 per cent in South America and 44 per cent in Africa.

The methodology for the Impact Rankings 2022 has been updated to include greater emphasis on support for immigrants and refugees and to reward institutions with dedicated courses on sustainability or the SDGs.

The Impact Rankings 2022 will be launched at the THE Innovation & Impact Summit on 27 April. Register to attend.

View the methodology for the Impact Rankings 2022.

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions about our Impact Rankings, but if you have any other queries, email impact@timeshighereducation.com.