QS World University Rankings 2026: A New Era of Sustainability in Higher Education
QS World University Rankings 2026: A Focus on Sustainability
On November 19, 2025, QS Quacquarelli Symonds, a global leader in higher education insights, introduced the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2026. This year marks a notable milestone with Lund University in Sweden claiming the top spot for the first time, signifying a major shift toward a focus on sustainability in higher education.
The rankings encapsulate efforts from over 2,000 universities across 106 educational systems. The United States leads in representations with 240 universities, closely followed by China, the United Kingdom, India, and France. This year's results underline a growing global awareness and commitment to sustainable practices within academic institutions.
Top 10 Universities in Sustainability for 2026:
| Rank | University | Country |
|---|---|---|
| -- | -- | --- |
| 1 | Lund University | Sweden |
| 2 | University of Toronto | Canada |
| 3 | University College London (UCL) | UK |
| 4 | University of Edinburgh | UK |
| 5 | University of British Columbia | Canada |
| 6 | London School of Economics | UK |
| 7 | Imperial College London | UK |
| 7 | UNSW Sydney | Australia |
| 9 | McGill University | Canada |
| 10 | University of Manchester | UK |
Ben Sowter, QS Senior Vice President, emphasized that the launch of the sustainability ranking is timely. With only 17% of the 169 global Sustainable Development Goals on track for completion by 2030, there is an urgent need for action regarding environmental and social challenges.
The University of California, Berkeley remains the leading institution from the United States, positioned at 11th place, while New York University makes its way into the top 20 this year. The UK stands tall, boasting the highest number of institutions in the top 10, top 50, and top 200 rankings. Canada also shines with the greatest concentration of universities listed among the top 10, holding 7% of the spots.
UNSW Sydney has re-entered the top 10, while four Australian universities feature in the top 20. The Paris-Saclay University is the only French university within the top 50, marking a steady integration of sustainability in its agenda. Germany has 65 institutions ranked, led by the University of Hamburg at 46.
Internationally, the National University of Seoul emerges as Asia's best performer, overtaking the University of Tokyo. China leads the way with the incorporation of 49 new institutions into the rankings, nearly double that of its nearest competitor, India. The Fudan University is highlighted within China's ranks at position 140. Despite the challenges, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi retains its standing as India's highest-performing institution at 205.
Singapore's universities set a benchmark for environmental research, with the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University both ranking highly. Meanwhile, the Universidade de São Paulo is the sole representative from Latin America among the top 200 institutions, positioned at 90th.
In Africa, South Africa features all top four universities, led by the University of Cape Town at 59th place. Additionally, the American University of Beirut continues to represent the Arab region, maintaining its highest rank at 176th.
The full rankings highlight the urgent need for universities to commit to sustainable practices, ensuring that education contributes positively to global challenges. As universities adapt to the evolving educational climate, the QS rankings serve as a crucial indicator of sustainability progress. The full rankings and additional insights are available on the QS website.
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