The University of Worcester has once again achieved a top 5 UK ranking for Quality Education and is the number one university in the UK for Gender Equality, in the prestigious Times Higher Education’s global University Impact Rankings.
The University's St John's Campus
Worcester has been ranked joint 3rd in the UK for Quality Education in the latest rankings, which highlight the contribution made by universities around the world to achieving the internationally agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which the United Nations adopted in 2016. It has never been out of the top 5 in the UK for Quality Education since the rankings were launched in 2019. The University has also been placed in the top 5 in the UK for Gender Equality in all years, this year taking the number one spot.
The news comes just weeks after the University’s education of future primary and secondary teachers was rated Outstanding by Ofsted inspectors, who opened their report with the line: “Trainees benefit from an exceptional learning experience at the University of Worcester.”
In addition, this year, the University is ranked joint 13th in the UK for Clean Water and Sanitation and joint 14th in the UK for both Sustainable Cities and Communities and for Zero Hunger.
More than 1,500 universities from 112 countries/regions around the world are included in this year’s rankings, with Worcester ranked in the top 15% overall.
Professor David Green CBE DL, the University’s Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, said: “At the University of Worcester, we are committed to providing first class education combined with inclusion, while recognising our responsibilities in creating a fair and sustainable world. Our longstanding efforts to both reduce our carbon footprint as an institution and inspire our students and staff to live more sustainably have seen us achieve First Class Honours for over a decade in the People and Planet League for environmental sustainability.
“The University believes in the power of education to transform lives. Our work in inclusion, particularly inclusive sport and in our work with the community, such as The Hive, Worcestershire’s unique University and Public Library, has been seen as a benchmark for others to follow. We are delighted that these rankings have recognised our achievements in these and other areas.”
Launched in 2019, the THE Impact Rankings are the only global rankings to document evidence of universities’ impact on society, rather than just research and teaching performance. The ranking includes tables on all 17 UN SDGs.
The University of Worcester has a long-standing record of sustainable practice. In 2018, Worcester became one of the first universities to sign the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Accord, pledging to work towards a more sustainable future. The University was also among the first to declare a climate emergency, and to commit to a net-zero carbon target by 2030 for both direct and indirect carbon emissions.
The University has a limited number of places available to study on its outstanding teacher training programmes from this September. If you are interested in studying at the University come along to one of our Open Days.