Impact Rankings 2021: table information

A university’s final score in the overall table is calculated by combining its score in SDG 17 with its top three scores out of the remaining 16 SDGs. SDG 17 accounts for 22 per cent of the overall score, while the other SDGs each carry a weight of 26 per cent. This means that different universities are scored based on a different set of SDGs, depending on their focus.

The score from each SDG is scaled so that the highest score in each SDG in the overall calculation is 100 and the lowest score is 0. This is to adjust for minor differences in the scoring range in each SDG and to ensure that universities are treated equitably, whichever SDGs they have provided data for. It is these scaled scores that we use to determine which SDGs a university has performed most strongly in; they may not be the SDGs in which the university is ranked highest or has scored highest based on unscaled scores.

The individual SDG tables display an institution’s score for that SDG as well as its score in the overall Impact Rankings, if applicable.

View the full methodology for the overall Impact Rankings

Editor's note: March 2022

Following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, we have taken steps to give Russian universities less prominence in the rankings, and have removed links to their university profiles. Our full statement on Ukraine can be found here.

Correction as of 26 April 2021

Due to an error affecting the overall ranking table, it now includes two new additions in the 1,001+ band, both in Japan: Kansai Medical University and Tama University.

As per THE's rankings correction policy, where an amendment is made, the relevant institution is retrospectively listed in its correct position. We do not rerun the complete ranking. All other universities maintain their original rank.

Editor’s note: June 2021

After the publication of the Impact Rankings 2021, it came to our attention that data supplied by four universities was incorrect or incomplete. In line with our corrections policy, and at our discretion, the affected universities’ scores were recalculated. The updated ranks are listed in the table below. 

Data submitted by nine universities have also been re-evaluated as part of our ongoing evaluation processes. Their scores have been recalculated as required. The affected institutions are listed in the table below.

As per THE’s rankings correction policy, the amendments made only affect the universities in question. We do not rerun the complete ranking. All other universities maintain their original rank. 

THE is committed to transparency and accountability across all of its rankings.

Our corrections policy is available to view here.