Leeds has achieved its highest ever position in the QS Sustainability Rankings.
In the 2026 rankings, published today, the University of Leeds is 24th out of 2,002 universities worldwide and joint ninth in the UK, placing Leeds within the global top two per cent, with an overall score of 95.8 out of 100. The University is joint first in the UK for Health and Wellbeing (99.4), reflecting a community that helps students and staff to thrive.
The overall result recognises sustained delivery across environmental and social measures, as well as governance, and also reflects stronger evidence of Leeds’ activity.
Professor Hai Sui Yu, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: “This result recognises the progress our community has made and reflects the effective way colleagues translate research and education into benefits for society and the environment, as well as the care with which we now evidence that work.
"I am proud of what we continue to achieve together and grateful for the dedication that strengthens our impact locally and globally.”
What does QS measure?
Similar to the University’s institutional approach to environmental and social responsibility, the QS Sustainability Rankings assess environmental impact, social impact and governance, and seek evidence of delivery across education, research, operations and partnerships. Indicators and weights are updated each cycle, with emphasis on demonstrable action and impact.
Leeds results at a glance
Overall: 24th globally, an increase of 196 places from the 2025 rankings, score 95.8.
- Environmental Impact: 90.6
- Environmental Research: 98.0, reflecting scholarship that shapes solutions at pace.
- Environmental Education: 95.4, evidencing the reach of sustainability in our teaching.
- Environmental Sustainability (operations): 78.2, delivered in collaboration across key teams such as the Facilities Directorate and the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures, as operational performance builds.
- Social Impact: 98.6
- Knowledge Exchange: 99.4, recognising how Leeds turns insight into global benefit.
- Strong results in Equality (96.6), Impact of Education (96.1) and Employability and Opportunities (98.6). The University is also first in the UK for Health and Wellbeing (99.4), reflecting a community that helps students and staff to thrive while engaging with the needs of the Leeds city and region.
- Governance: 98.1, reflecting the transparency, ethics and student voice that underpin the University’s work.
How this progress is recognised
The University’s performance reflects consistent delivery and better alignment of evidence with QS indicators this cycle. The Sustainability Service has worked with academic and professional service colleagues across the University to strengthen data quality and evidence, so that long-standing programmes are now represented more fully.
How we deliver impact
Innovation is embedded through the Leeds Living Lab, where students, researchers, operations colleagues and partners co-create and test solutions on campus and in the city. Current work includes a Geothermal Campus Living Lab assessing how heat beneath campus could contribute to future energy needs. Leeds is a civic university which connects knowledge with local priorities through PIPs, linking third sector and civic community organisations with the University’s researchers and students to build practical, long-term collaborations.
On biodiversity the University is developing exemplary approaches for a city campus, engaging colleagues and students and aligning activity with biodiversity net gain requirements. Leeds’ role in city wide climate action includes helping to establish the Leeds Climate Commission, which relaunched in 2024 with a renewed programme to accelerate a just transition, nature recovery and emissions reduction.
Blueprint, the University’s flagship staff engagement programme, supports schools and services to create bespoke five-year sustainability plans. Recent activity includes a slow travel policy in the Business School, circular approaches in Residential Services, and energy savings in research facilities. Earlier this year the University won the International Sustainable Campus Network Excellence Award in the Cultural Change for Sustainability category, recognising community-led progress.
The Leeds University Network for Sustainability in Higher Education is helping colleagues and students embed Education for Sustainable Development across disciplines through hybrid meet-ups, workshops and an online community. Since 2023 the network has grown to more than 180 members, with contributions from 44 staff, 23 students and external speakers. Topics range from sustainability skills and social justice to biodiversity and the role of GenAI in curriculum mapping. The network was also recognised in the SDG Accord Annual Progress Report as a sector example of inclusive, cross-disciplinary practice.
Leeds has also performed strongly in other national and global rankings over the past year:
- The University has achieved its highest position since 2008 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, placing 118th out of 2,191 universities worldwide.
- The University went up three places in the Times and Sunday Times university rankings.
- Leeds climbed nine places in the 2026 Guardian University Guide.
- The University rose seven places to 18th in the 2025 Daily Mail University Guide.
- It climbed two places to 21st in the 2026 Complete University Guide, with 21 subjects ranked in the UK’s top ten.
- In the QS World University Rankings, Leeds retained its position in the top 100 at 86th globally, rising to 13th among UK institutions and 13th worldwide for its International Research Network measure.
- In the 2025 Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking), Leeds rose 10 places and remains within the top 200 globally.
Further information
For more information, please contact the University of Leeds press office at pressoffice@leeds.ac.uk