TACKLING THE WORLD’S MOST PRESSING CHALLENGES
Our vision for UWS is to be among the global leaders of excellent, relevant and purposeful research aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. UWS has committed to placing the SDGs at the heart of our Strategy 2030. Set by the United Nations General Assembly, the Sustainable Development Goals or Global Goals are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all" by the year 2030.
UWS is committed to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals
In the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, UWS has been ranked in the world’s top 300 universities for sustainable development.
And 26th in the world for impact on reducing inequalities (Sustainable Development Goal 10).
Over 1200 universities from around the globe were assessed for their contributions to SDG10; with the top institutions selected for their commitment to ensuring equal opportunity and inclusion.
“We’re incredibly proud to have achieved this ranking, recognising our impact in reducing inequalities. As Scotland's leading university for widening participation, with the belief that education should be available to all, this achievement is testament to the hard work of each and every colleague in embedding that ethos.”
Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor
UWS & UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, UWS was the 26th most impactful university in the world for ‘reducing inequalities’ (UN Sustainable Development Goal 10). This demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and, building on our existing research and education strengths, transforming our world and improving lives. To find out how UWS is responding to this urgent call for action through research, navigate to the individual sustainable development goals icons, below.
