University of Limerick moves up in QS World University Rankings for Sustainability

UNIVERSITY of Limerick has made a significant move in the World University Rankings for Sustainability by global higher education analysts Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

According to the latest rankings, UL has climbed from 301-320 last year to 175th place.

In addition, UL is now ranked 77th in Europe and has also moved up in the national ranking, securing 5th position this year compared to 6th last year.

Welcoming the announcement, UL president Kerstin Mey said: “This achievement is a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainability, an ethos deeply embedded in the fabric of our institution. University of Limerick stands aligned with global efforts to integrate sustainability not just into our academic programmes but into the very essence of our research, innovation, and campus practices."

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“As we rise in these rankings, it reflects our dedication to fostering a culture of sustainability that extends from our classrooms to our laboratories, from our research initiatives to our community outreach. Our focus on sustainability goes beyond being a buzzword; it’s a guiding principle shaping the future we envision and contribute to," she added.

The ranking is designed to assess sustainability across three key performance categories: Environmental Impact, Social Impact, and Governance. Universities are evaluated separately in each of these categories, as well as in an overall ranking.

UL was ranked 55th in the world for Environmental Sustainability, 51st for Equality and 38th for Governance. Each performance category comprises distinct indicators, which are then aggregated to establish a weight for each category.

"Our commitment to sustainability is evident in the eco-friendly initiatives on our campus, the research endeavours addressing global challenges, and the educational programmes preparing students to be stewards of a sustainable future. This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the collective dedication of our faculty, students, staff, and the broader community. It is a shared success, a testament to what we can accomplish when we align our values with our actions," said Prof Mey.

UL was also recently ranked in 152nd place in the first-ever Europe University Ranking by QS which rated UL highly across all indicators, with the University placed 46th in Europe (and first in Ireland) for Inbound Exchange Students and ranked 87th for International Faculty. UL also ranked within the Top 150 for Employer Reputation and Sustainability.