QS Sustainability Ranking: Strong performance reflects ongoing efforts

In the ranking, the University of Stuttgart achieves 183rd place among around 2,000 universities from 108 countries. “Being placed in the top 200 in the QS Sustainability Ranking highlights the University of Stuttgart’s ongoing commitment to sustainability – in research, teaching, and technology transfer, as well as in our everyday practices. The ranking both acknowledges our efforts and motivates us to continue on this path with determination,” emphasizes Prof. Manfred Bischof, Vice Rector for Research and Sustainable Development.

In the ranking, the University of Stuttgart performs particularly well in the categories "Environmental Impact" and "Governance". The university is ranked 137th in the "Governance" category, while in the "Environmental Impact" category, it improved by 95 places to reach 162nd.

The "Environmental Impact" category assesses a university’s efforts to take ecological responsibility, promote sustainable practices, and minimize the environmental impact of its activities. It includes the areas of "Environmental Education", "Environmental Research", and "Environmental Sustainability". The University of Stuttgart's commitment is reflected, for example, by the Green Office, which works together with students and staff to develop and implement initiatives for an environmentally conscious and climate-friendly university. This is also evident in climate-relevant research on highly efficient perovskite solar cells, sustainable construction, and the mobility of the future.

The "Governance" category describes how effectively and responsibly a university is managed with regard to sustainable development – for example, in terms of transparency, ethical responsibility, stakeholder engagement, and institutional structures. The University of Stuttgart has expanded its Vice Rectorate for Research to include sustainable development, thereby strategically anchoring the topic at the highest level. At the same time, it fosters an open participatory culture through the Energy and Climate Protection Working Group, advisory bodies such as the Sustainability Round Table, and systematic management of issues like energy and mobility.

The University of Stuttgart also improved by over 80 places in the "Social Impact" category, now ranking 271st worldwide. The category measures a university’s contribution to society and its commitment to social sustainability. Among other aspects, this evaluates the dimensions of "Employability and Opportunities", "Health and Well-being", "Equality", "Impact of Education", and "Knowledge Exchange". At the University of Stuttgart, this includes interdisciplinary key qualifications designed to integrate sustainability into teaching and daily life, as well as numerous initiatives that promote equal opportunities and diversity, along with health and well-being.

The QS World University Ranking: Sustainability has been published by the international ranking agency Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) since 2022 and evaluates universities based on 52 indicators. The fourth edition of the ranking analyzed 2,002 universities from 108 countries.

The ranking measures sustainability performance across the three categories of "Social Impact", "Environmental Impact", and "Governance", thereby recognizing universities’ commitment to a sustainable future.