Sector Rankings

Most Sustainable Higher Education / Universities Companies 2026

66 Higher Education / Universities companies ranked 0–100 on real environmental impact using SINK's open, physics-first formula.

66
Companies ranked
50
Sector average
60
Sector best (Manchester Metropolitan University)
Full ranking
1
🎓Manchester Metropolitan UniversityLeading practice
60
2
🎓Lancaster UniversityMaking progress
58
3
🎓Liverpool John Moores UniversityMaking progress
57
4
🎓London School of Economics And Political ScienceMaking progress
56
5
🎓Robert Gordon UniversityMaking progress
56
6
🎓Swansea UniversityMaking progress
56
7
🎓York St John UniversityMaking progress
56
8
🎓Aberystwyth UniversityMaking progress
55
9
🎓De Montfort UniversityMaking progress
55
10
🎓University of EdinburghMaking progress
55
11
🎓Birmingham City UniversityMaking progress
54
12
🎓University of SunderlandMaking progress
54
13
🎓University of StrathclydeMaking progress
54
14
🎓University of BristolMaking progress
54
15
🎓Cranfield UniversityMaking progress
54
16
🎓Cardiff UniversityMaking progress
53
17
🎓University of St AndrewsMaking progress
53
18
🎓University of South WalesMaking progress
53
19
🎓University of SheffieldMaking progress
53
20
🎓University of ExeterMaking progress
53
21
🎓University of CambridgeMaking progress
53
22
🎓University of BrightonMaking progress
53
23
🎓Loughborough UniversityMaking progress
53
24
🎓Imperial College LondonMaking progress
53
25
🎓Cardiff Metropolitan UniversityMaking progress
53
26
🎓Anglia Ruskin UniversityMaking progress
53
27
🎓Aston UniversityMaking progress
52
28
🎓City St George's University LondonMaking progress
52
29
🎓Edinburgh Napier UniversityMaking progress
52
30
🎨University of The Arts LondonMaking progress
52
31
🎓University of WarwickMaking progress
52
32
🎓Nottingham Trent UniversityMaking progress
51
33
🎓University of PortsmouthMaking progress
51
34
🎓University of East AngliaMaking progress
51
35
🎓University of ChichesterMaking progress
51
36
🎓Glasgow Caledonian UniversityMaking progress
51
37
🎓Canterbury Christ Church UniversityMaking progress
51
38
🎓Teesside UniversityMaking progress
51
39
🎓King's College LondonMaking progress
50
40
🎓Leeds Beckett UniversityMaking progress
50
41
🔬The Institute of Cancer ResearchMaking progress
50
42
🎓University of AberdeenMaking progress
50
43
🎓University of DerbyMaking progress
50
44
🎓University of ManchesterMaking progress
50
45
🎓University of The West of ScotlandMaking progress
49
46
🎓University of YorkMaking progress
49
47
🎓University of SurreyMaking progress
49
48
🎓University of LancashireMaking progress
49
49
🎨Falmouth UniversityMaking progress
49
50
🎓Coventry UniversityMaking progress
49
51
🎓Birkbeck, University of LondonMaking progress
49
52
🎓University of BathMaking progress
49
53
🎓Heriot-Watt UniversityMaking progress
48
54
🎓St Mary's University, TwickenhamMaking progress
48
55
🎓University of StirlingMaking progress
48
56
🎨Glasgow School of ArtMaking progress
46
57
🎨Leeds Arts UniversityMaking progress
46
58
🎓University of ChesterBelow expectations
44
59
🎭Rose Bruford College of Theatre and PerformanceBelow expectations
43
60
🎓University of CumbriaBelow expectations
42
61
🎭Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music And DanceBelow expectations
41
62
🎼Royal Northern College of MusicBelow expectations
33
63
🌾Harper Adams UniversityBelow expectations
31
64
🎓University of HullSignificant gaps
29
65
🎓Ravensbourne University LondonSignificant gaps
25
66
🎓University of Greater ManchesterSignificant gaps
22
Frequently asked

Higher Education / Universities sustainability, answered.

Which Higher Education / Universities company is the most sustainable?

Manchester Metropolitan University is the highest-scoring Higher Education / Universities company on SINK with a score of 60/100 (Leading practice).

What is the average sustainability score for Higher Education / Universities companies?

The average SINK score across 66 Higher Education / Universities companies is 50/100. The global average across all scored companies is 38/100.

How does SINK rate Higher Education / Universities companies?

SINK scores Higher Education / Universities companies on 10 questions using public data: Scope 1/2/3 carbon footprint, energy source, nature and biodiversity, resource use, water impact, emissions trajectory, science-based targets, transparency, and major controversies. The formula adjusts for the industry's inherent environmental footprint and company scale.

Which Higher Education / Universities company has the worst sustainability score?

University of Greater Manchester has the lowest SINK score among Higher Education / Universities companies at 22/100 (Significant gaps).

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