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University of Hull’s sustainability and social impact strategy recognised in world rankings

The University of Hull’s commitment to sustainability and social justice has been recognised in the first-ever QS World University Sustainability rankings 2023.

In the Sustainable Institutions category of the global rankings, the University of Hull was ranked joint 55th out of 700 universities; and 9th in the UK (out of 68 universities).

The rankings, which compare 700 of the world’s top universities against a range of environmental and social sustainability metrics from research impact to graduate outcomes, focus on how universities are taking action to tackle the world’s greatest Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) challenges.

There are two main categories to the ranking: an Environmental Impact category and a Social Impact category. Institutes can rank separately in each of these categories, in both of them and overall. Each category contributes 50% towards the overall rank.

Every university that is included in the sustainability rankings had to demonstrate research connected to sustainability and have a clear, published strategy on climate action.

Professor Dave Petley, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hull, said: “I am delighted that the University of Hull is taking its place amongst the universities who are leading the way on a global scale when it comes to sustainability.

“Our University strategy 2030 focuses on two of the most important challenges of our generation: environmental sustainability and social justice. These resonate strongly with me and my own academic research interests and I’m looking forward, along with colleagues, students and the wider community, to continuing to make a positive difference and help move this agenda forward.

“Measuring the environmental and social impact of institutions, the QS rankings are a helpful way to benchmark the progress the University is making towards sustainability, relative to other sustainability-focused institutions who are also championing the planet’s most challenging issues.”

Highlights of the University’s sustainability rankings include:

  • Environmental Impact ranking (global) – Sustainable Institutions category: joint 55th (out of 700 institutions globally) and 9th in UK (out of 68 UK institutions)
  • 27th in UK for Environmental Impact ranking performance overall (out of 68 UK institutions); Sustainable Education category – 29th in UK (out of 68 UK institutions).

The University of Hull is ranked (out of 700 institutions globally) in the 241-260 group for performance overall; 190th for Environmental Impact performance overall and 402nd for Social Impact overall performance.

The rankings assess an institution’s commitments to building a sustainable world with emphasis on their influence beyond their own campus.

The most successful universities are those which are able to demonstrate sustainability outwardly. National-level data has also been included, covering aspects such as safety and tolerance, clean air and water, and tolerance and freedom. This is because students are keen to know the location they choose to study in – as well as their university – is working towards a sustainable future.

The major locations represented include the United States, with 135 institutions ranked, the United Kingdom (68), Germany (39), China, Mainland (37), Australia (33) and Italy (31).

First for sustainability is the University of California, Berkeley, with the University of Edinburgh ranked at number 4.

Of the top 100 universities, with many showing strong commitments to sustainability in both environmental and social arenas, the countries most represented are the US (30), UK (20), Australia (12), Canada (9), Sweden (4), Netherlands (3), Spain (3) and New Zealand (3).

Many of the top 100 ranked institutions were awarded their standing due to the tangible impacts that can be measured in areas beyond just operational or on-campus activity, such as the impact of their sustainability research and their reputation among staff.

The Environmental Impact category comprises three performance indicators: sustainable institutions, sustainable education and sustainable research. The Social Impact category considers five indicators: equality, knowledge exchange, impact of education, employment and opportunities, and quality of life.

To be eligible for this year’s ranking, an institution had to also be eligible for inclusion in the overall QS World University Rankings.

According to QS, as well as using this ranking, students interested in sustainability should be prepared to ask prospective universities about things like their sustainable research and commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

University of Hull offers 50% scholarships to international students who want to change the world

Last month, the University of Hull announced a range of new scholarships for international students, as part of its commitment to shaping a fairer, brighter and carbon neutral future.

The ‘Fairer Future Global Scholarships’ are part of the University of Hull’s response to achieving progress in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

The new scholarships will be awarded to 17 international students aspiring to join a range of undergraduate programmes, each of which are closely connected to one or more of the SDGs. The award for each student is 50% of the tuition fee for the whole duration of their undergraduate studies, starting in September 2023.

These scholarships are designed to support students who want to make a difference to the world, contributing to shaping this ‘brighter’ future for everyone.

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