The University of Glasgow has ranked 12th in the world in the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, released today (12 June 2024). 

The result is an improvement of one place on the 2023 result and means the University of Glasgow places top in Scotland and third overall among UK universities.  

This year the THE Impact Rankings have been expanded to include 1,963 institutions from around the world.  

The THE Impact Rankings measure universities’ performance against the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to improve global health and education, reduce inequality, drive economic growth and tackle climate change.   

In terms of performance against specific SDGs, the University of Glasgow ranks within the world top 50 for nine out of the 17 Global Goals. 

It also ranks among the world top 15 for the following: 

  • 9th globally against SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities;  
  • 10th globally against SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities; 
  • 12th globally against SDG 15 – Life on Land; 
  • 15th  globally against SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption & Production. 

Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, said: “Scotland has a world-class higher education sector, with universities the length and breadth of the country making an extraordinary local, national and international impact.  I am delighted that the University of Glasgow’s social impact has been recognised as truly world-leading and I congratulate all of the students and staff on this extraordinary success. 

“Our universities will be crucial partners for government as we seek to grow the economy, improve public services, tackle the climate emergency and eradicate child poverty, and I look forward to working with the University of Glasgow and our university sector as a whole on these shared goals.” 

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow said: “These fantastic results are testament to the University of Glasgow’s commitment to tackling some of the most pressing global challenges facing humanity and the natural world. 

“Our support for the SDGs is woven through our research, teaching and wider activity as a world-changing University, and the fact we rank within the world top 50 in nine out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals demonstrates the breadth of our action.  I’d like to thank colleagues and students across our community for their dedication and passion in ensuring we continue to deliver this vision.” 


First published: 12 June 2024

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