Two Canadian universities shine in global rankings, i.e., two Canadian universities have earned places among the world’s top 10 in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings. Queen’s University ranked fourth globally, while the University of Alberta shared 10th place.
The annual rankings measure how well universities support the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals focus on important global issues such as ending poverty, protecting the environment, promoting gender equality, improving health, and building sustainable communities.
More than 1,600 universities from around the world were included in this year’s rankings. Each institution was assessed in four key areas: research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching.
THE released the 2026 Sustainability Impact Ratings on June 23, 2026.
Canada’s Performance In The 2026 Rankings
Canada was the only country in North America to have universities in the global top 10 this year.
A total of 20 Canadian universities appeared in THE’s overall 2026 rankings, with four universities finishing among the global top 20.
| National Rank | University | Top SDG Strength | Global Rank | Overall Score |
| 1 | Queen’s University | Sustainable Cities | 4 | 97.5 |
| 2 | University of Alberta | Industry & Innovation | 10 | 96.0 |
| 3 | Western University | Industry & Innovation | 12 | 95.9 |
| 4 | McMaster University | Industry & Innovation | 18 | 95.5 |
| 5 | University of Victoria | Life on Land | 27 | 94.6 |
| 6 | Simon Fraser University | Sustainable Cities | 52 | 92.2 |
| 7 | Université Laval | Climate Action | 68 | 91.0 |
| 8 | York University | Industry & Innovation | 78 | 90.5 |
| 9 | Dalhousie University | Life Below Water | 90 | 89.7 |
| 10 | Lakehead University | No Poverty | 101-200 | 82.3–89.2 |
| 11 | Toronto Metropolitan University | Responsible Consumption | 101-200 | 82.3–89.2 |
| 12 | University of Saskatchewan | Industry & Innovation | 101-200 | 82.3–89.2 |
| 13 | Wilfred Laurier University | Clean Water | 101-200 | 82.3–89.2 |
| 14 | University of Manitoba | Good Health | 201-300 | 77.5–82.2 |
| 15 | Carleton University | Industry & Innovation | 301-400 | 73.9–77.4 |
| 16 | Brock University | Reducing Inequalities | 401-600 | 66.2–73.8 |
| 17 | Thompson Rivers University | Climate Action | 401-600 | 66.2–73.8 |
| 18 | Trent University | Life on Land | 401-600 | 66.2–73.8 |
| 19 | University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) | Climate Action | 601-800 | 60.7–66.1 |
| 20 | University of Regina | Decent Work | 601-800 | 60.7–66.1 |
Compared with last year, Queen’s University improved by two places, while the University of Alberta dropped by two places.
The “=” symbol in the rankings shows that two or more universities received the same overall score and therefore shared the same position.
Three Canadian universities shared their rankings with institutions from other countries:
- Simon Fraser University for 52nd place with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the University of Leeds;
- Université Laval for 68th place with Hong Kong Baptist University and the University of Galway; and
- York University for 78th place with the University of Pretoria.
Global Top 10 Universities For Sustainability
Universities from Canada, Europe, Asia, and Oceania were included in this year’s global top 10.
There were two tied positions in the top 10. One of those ties placed the University of Alberta alongside National Taiwan University in 10th place.
Among the top 10 universities, Industry & Innovation (SDG 9) was the most common area of strength.
| Rank | University | Top SDG Strength | Overall Score |
| 1 | University of Manchester | Life on Land | 98.5 |
| 2 | Griffith University | Life Below Water | 97.9 |
| 3 | Western Sydney University | Life on Land | 97.8 |
| 4 | Queen’s University | Sustainable Cities | 97.5 |
| 5 | Universiti Sains Malaysia | No Poverty | 97.3 |
| 6 | Hanyang University | Industry & Innovation | 96.8 |
| 7 | Hokkaido University | Industry & Innovation | 96.3 |
| 7 | Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia | Sustainable Cities | 96.3 |
| 9 | Institut Agro | Life on Land | 96.1 |
| 10 | National Taiwan University (NTU) | Industry & Innovation | 96.0 |
| =10 | University of Alberta | Industry & Innovation | 96.0 |
Five universities that appeared in the 2025 rankings also remained in the top 10 this year. These include Queen’s University, the University of Alberta, the University of Manchester, Griffith University, and Western Sydney University.
In the previous year’s rankings, the top three universities were Western Sydney University, the University of Manchester, and Kyungpook National University.
One notable point in the 2026 rankings is that three of Canada’s best-known universities, i.e., the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, & McGill University did not appear in the Sustainability Impact Ratings.
How THE Measured Sustainability?
For the 2026 edition, THE reviewed 1,646 universities from 116 countries and territories.
Each university was measured against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
The rankings were based on four main areas:
- Research: How universities support the SDGs through research and academic work.
- Stewardship: How institutions manage their campuses, staff, students, and resources in a sustainable way.
- Outreach: How universities work with local and international communities to support sustainable development.
- Teaching: How institutions prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed to support sustainability in the future.
The United Nations has created 17 Sustainable Development Goals, each covering a different area of global development.
The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals
To be included in these rankings, a university must submit data for SDG 17 along with at least three other SDGs.
The overall score is calculated by combining the SDG 17 score with the university’s three highest-performing SDGs.
SDG 17 accounts for 22% of the final score, while each of the other selected SDGs contributes 26%.
SDG 1: No Poverty
- Research on poverty (27%)
- Proportion of students receiving financial aid (27%)
- University anti-poverty programmes (23%)
- Community anti-poverty programmes (23%)
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- Research related to hunger (27%)
- National hunger (19.2%)
- Campus food waste (15.4%)
- Student hunger (19.2%)
- Proportion of graduates in food sustainability (19.2%)
SDG 3: Good Health And Well-Being
- Collaborations and health services (38.4%)
- Research on health and well-being (27%)
- Proportion of health graduates (34.6%)
SDG 4: Quality Education
- Lifelong learning measures (26.8%)
- Research on early years & lifelong learning education (27%)
- Proportion of first-generation students (30.8%)
- Proportion of graduates with a teaching qualification (15.4%)
SDG 5: Gender Equality
- Research on the study of gender equality (27%)
- Proportion of first-generation female students (15.4%)
- Student access measures (15.4%)
- Proportion of senior female academics (15.4%)
- Proportion of women receiving degrees (11.5%)
- Women’s progress measures (15.3%)
SDG 6: Clean Water And Sanitation
- Research on clean water and sanitation (27%)
- Water consumption (19%)
- Water care (23%)
- Water reuse (12%)
- Water in the community (19%)
SDG 7: Affordable And Clean Energy
- Research on affordable and clean energy (27%)
- Clean energy measures (23%)
- Energy use (17%)
- Energy and the community (23%)
- Low-carbon energy use (10%)
SDG 8: Decent Work And Economic Growth
- Research on economic growth and employment (27%)
- Employment practices (19.6%)
- Expenditure per employee (15.4%)
- Proportion of students taking work placements (19%)
- Proportion of employees on secure contracts (19%)
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation And Infrastructure
- Research on industry, innovation and infrastructure (11.6%)
- Patents (15.4%)
- University spin-offs (34.6%)
- Research income from industry (38.4%)
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Research on reduced inequalities (27%)
- First-generation students (15.5%)
- Students from developing countries (15.5%)
- Proportion of students and staff with disabilities (23%)
- Measures against discrimination (19%)
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities And Communities
- Research on sustainable cities and communities (27%)
- Support of arts and heritage (22.6%)
- Expenditure on arts & heritage (15.3%)
- Sustainable practices (35.1%)
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption And Production
- Research on responsible consumption & production (27%)
- Operational measures (26.7%)
- Proportion of recycled waste (27%)
- Publication of a sustainability report (19.3%)
SDG 13: Climate Action
- Research on climate action (27%)
- Low-carbon energy use (27%)
- Environmental education measures (23%)
- Carbon neutrality (23%)
SDG 14: Life Below Water
- Research on life below water (27%)
- Education related to aquatic ecosystems (15.3%)
- Supporting aquatic ecosystems (19.4%)
- Water-sensitive waste disposal (19.3%)
- Maintaining a local ecosystem (19%)
SDG 15: Life On Land
- Research on life on land (27%)
- Education related to land ecosystems (23%)
- Supporting land ecosystems through action (27%)
- Land-sensitive waste disposal (23%)
SDG 16: Peace, Justice And Strong Institutions
- Proportion of graduates in law and civil enforcement (23.2%)
- Research on peace & justice (27%)
- University governance measures (26.6%)
- Working with government (23.2%)
SDG 17: Partnerships For The Goals
- Research relating to the SDGs or with lower- or lower-middle-income countries (27.1%)
- Relationships to support the goals (18.5%)
- Publication of SDG reports (27.2%)
- Education on the SDGs (27.2%)
The 2026 edition is the eighth year of THE’s Sustainability Impact Ratings, which were previously called the THE Impact Rankings.
THE is also well known for publishing its annual World University Rankings, one of the world’s most recognised university ranking systems.
MakeHomeCanada, a Canadian immigration leader, promises excellence and tailored pathways for your Canadian journey. Get in touch with us at [email protected].
