Brunel University of London has risen into the top 10% of universities worldwide for its sustainability performance, according to leading global rankings released this morning.
The QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025 provide a unique insight into which institutions are demonstrating a commitment to a more sustainable existence. They evaluate the social and environmental impact of universities as a centres of education and research, and agents of change, as well as major employers with the operational sustainability challenges of any large and complex organisation.
This year, QS placed Brunel equal 162nd out of 1,744 universities after a thorough assessment of three categories: Environmental Impact, Social Impact and Governance.
The rankings also reveal which of these categories, and their sub-categories, Brunel is best at.
- Brunel ranks equal 14th globally for the Good Governance category, with a score of 99.1 out of 100, demonstrating the strong decision-making and organisational culture needed to pursue and meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
- Brunel ranks equal 20th in the world for the Equality sub-category (part of Social Impact), scoring 98.3 out of 100, evidencing the effort and impact of the university’s equality commitment.
The rankings were first launched in 2022 and have exploded in popularity, with more and more universities keen to get valuable external assessment of their sustainability performance. The first rankings reviewed 700 universities, which more than doubled to above 1,400 for last year’s tables, in which Brunel came in the top 15%. This year’s rise to the top 10%, and an increase of 52 places in the table, was achieved in the context of nearly 350 more universities participating.
The global higher education analysts Quacquarelli Symonds are also renowned for their QS World University Rankings, one of the three major league tables in the academic calendar – covering not just sustainability but also research, employability, learning experience and global engagement. In the 2025 edition of those rankings, released this June, Brunel also rose to 38th in the UK and 342nd in the world, which is a new record high placement.
Professor Trevor Hoey, Brunel’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for International and Sustainability, said: “Brunel’s rise in the rankings this year reflects a focus across the university to promote sustainability in our operations, teaching and research. Our especially strong performances in good governance and in equality reflect Brunel’s values and our institutional commitments to inclusivity and diversity.
“Sustainability lies at the core of Brunel’s strategy, and we are encouraged by the recognition of our work in these rankings and are motivated to deliver further improvements.”
Find out more about sustainability at Brunel University of London
Reported by:
Joe Buchanunn,
Media Relations
+44 (0)1895 268821
joe.buchanunn@brunel.ac.uk