Times Higher Education (THE) released its Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 results for the global higher education sector last week. Unisa again improved its performance in these important rankings, overall and in several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

THE Sustainability Impact Ratings (previously THE Impact Rankings) is the only global ranking measuring how institutions worldwide advance sustainability in line with the United Nations' SDGs. The 2026 rankings evaluate 1 646 universities from 116 countries and territories across 17 individual SDG tables and one overall ranking.

The Sustainability Impact Ratings provide a ranking table for each SDG and an overall ranking. The overall rating is based on SDG 17 (Partnerships towards the goals) and the three best-performing SDGs of each university. For inclusion in the overall rating, universities must submit data and evidence for the compulsory SDG 17, and at least three other SDGs.

Unisa’s overall performance, and performance per SDG submitted

• In the overall rating, Unisa again improved its score and furthermore moved up from the 601-800 band to the 401-600 band. The qualifying SDGs were SDG 4 (Quality education), SDG 5 (Gender equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions), which contributed to Unisa’s overall score, along with the compulsory SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals.
• For SDG 4 and SDG 5, Unisa improved the total scores and performed excellently to move into the top 200 universities worldwide.
• Unisa again improved the total score and was again in the top half worldwide for SDG 16, rising from the 301-400 band to the 201-300 band.
• For SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation), Unisa improved the total score and maintained its position in the 301-400 band.
• For SDG 7 (Affordable and clean energy), Unisa improved its total score and moved from the 501-800 band to the 401-600 band.
• For the compulsory SDG 17 (Partnerships towards the goals), the total score increased to the top half worldwide, and the band improved from 1001-1500 to 601-800.

Excellent achievements in pillar scores

Unisa achieved top half and, in some instances, top quartile performances worldwide in the following pillars:

• SDG 3 (Good health and well-being): top half score for research.
• SDG 4 (Quality education): top quartile score for the proportion of first-generation students and upper half scores for research, proportion of graduates with teaching qualifications and lifelong learning measures.
• SDG 5 (Gender equality): top quartile scores for research, proportion of first-generation female students, and proportion of female graduates and top half scores for student access measures.
• SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation): top quartile scores for research and water consumption per capita, and top half score for water in the community.
• SDG 7 (Affordable and clean energy): top half scores for energy use density and for research.
• SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth): top quartile score for expenditure per employee and top half score for research.
• SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities): top half score for proportion of first-generation students and top half scores for research and for proportion of students with disabilities.
• SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production): top half score for research.
• SDG 16 (Peace, justice, and strong institutions): top quartile score for proportion of graduates in law and civil enforcement and a top half score for research.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships towards the goals): top quartile score for research and top half score for education for the SDGs.

The Impact Ratings results again indicated a strong upward trend for Unisa, mirroring its continued improvement in various international university rankings. The THE Sustainability Impact Rankings is of special importance to the institution, as they speak to performance in terms of the SDGs, a key aspect of Unisa’s journey towards becoming the African university in the service of humanity.

It moreover reflects the gains made in Unisa’s strong focus on ten Catalytic Niche Areas. It is a testament to the hard, dedicated work of Unisa’s academics and to the fact that the university’s investments in research are paying off. All these efforts reflect the leadership of Professor LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor, in shaping the trajectory of a successful, impactful, empathetic, caring and resultful university.

* Analysis by Herman Visser, Department of Institutional Intelligence, article by Philip van der Merwe, Department of Institutional Advancement