For each of the 17 SDGs, the ranking assesses universities’ contributions across research, teaching, social impact and institutional governance. MU broke into the top 100 in three SDGs and made significant gains, particularly in the qualitative indicators. The university is introducing measures to foster an inclusive and safe campus environment, expanding public awareness and volunteering activities, broadening its continuing education offer, improving responsible procurement and resource management, focusing on sustainable operations and construction, and strengthening cross-sector partnerships. Sustainability themes are increasingly embedded in teaching and in the direction of research.
“Masaryk University has once again proven its leadership. Being the top Czech university and placing in the global top 300 in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings fills me with pride. We improved in fifteen of the seventeen SDGs we are assessed on, and in three of them we rank among the top one hundred. I have long believed that the strength and quality of our university lie in its breadth and enthusiasm – the range of issues we tackle and the commitment and responsibility with which we address today’s challenges. This result is proof of that,” says Rector Martin Bareš.
MU’s strongest result is in SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), where it placed 68th globally – putting it in the top 7 per cent of institutions assessed for this goal. The criteria include research output on SDG 16-related topics and qualitative indicators of democratic institutional governance. In SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), MU placed 85th. Here too, research performance on the topic plays the main role, alongside factors such as heritage preservation and arts support, as well as the institution’s cultural contribution to society and its engagement in the local community. In SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), MU ranked 96th. In addition to research output, the assessment covers water consumption, measures to prevent waste and pollution, public awareness activities, and the protection of water resources in the landscape.
A summary of the specific activities and results demonstrating the university’s contribution to addressing key societal challenges is available in the Masaryk University Sustainability Report 2025.
This year’s edition of THE’s sustainability ranking brought several changes. THE introduced a partial participation fee, though the assessment remains free for institutions in developing countries. The ranking was renamed the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings, and participating universities are now part of the global THE Sustainability Impact Network. The total number of universities in the overall ranking fell to roughly 2023 levels: 1,034 institutions did not take part, though most had previously ranked from 1001 onwards. Of last year’s participants, 1,334 returned, and 269 institutions entered for the first time. To be included in the overall ranking, an institution must participate in the assessment for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and at least three other SDGs. Individual SDG sub-rankings may include slightly more institutions than the overall table. Across all 17 SDG sub-rankings, 1,646 institutions from 116 countries were assessed.
Seven Czech universities took part in this year’s ranking. Charles University came second, holding its position from last year at 301–400. The Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Palacký University Olomouc and VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava all share the 401–600 band. Further down, Brno University of Technology placed 801–1000 and Newton University 1001–1500.
The top global positions in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings went to the University of Manchester (UK), Griffith University (Australia), Western Sydney University (Australia), Queen’s University (Canada) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (Malaysia). The full results are available on the THE website.