Cranfield University has retained its place in the top 15% of universities worldwide in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability for 2025. This year’s rankings expanded to include 1,751 institutions – an increase of more than 300 over 2024 - making Cranfield’s continued presence in the top 15% an impressive testament to its deep-rooted commitment to sustainability.

Compiled by higher education analytics firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the QS World Rankings: Sustainability assess how active and impactful universities are in addressing social, environmental and governance issues.

A closer look at what the rankings mean

As well as the three main categories - environmental impact, social impact and governance – there are eight subcategories that are assessed. Cranfield excels in multiple areas, including:

- Top 15% for overall sustainability.

- Top 6% for impact of environmental research.

- Top 10% for overall environmental impact.

Impact of Environmental Research is measured by looking at how a university aligns with six of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals which are 7: affordable and clean energy, 11: sustainable cities and communities, 12: responsible consumption and production, 13: climate action, 14: life below water and 15: life on land. Earlier this year Cranfield University was ranked 1st in the UK and 6th worldwide in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for its efforts to support those UN sustainability goals.

Cranfield also ranks highly in the Social Impact category for Health & Wellbeing, that focuses on ‘an institution’s commitment to improving the health and wellbeing not only of its students, but society more widely.’

A world leader

Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of Cranfield University, Professor Dame Karen Holford, DBE FREng, said “Sustainability is a central pillar of everything we do at Cranfield, and it’s wonderful to receive recognition of our efforts. Now, more than ever, universities have a key role to play in mapping a path to a more sustainable future and at Cranfield our research, teaching and industry partnerships are focused on that goal.

“We’ve also committed to making our own University net zero by 2030, because sustainability has to be something that you put into practice, not just hold up as an ideal.”

You can find out more about the QS Sustainability Rankings and the methodology used here . You can also read more about Cranfield University’s environmental targets and roadmap to net zero by 2030, and find out what we’re doing to address each of the UN’s sustainable development goals.