The 2025 results released in June show that the University of South Africa’s performance regarding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals rose to 66,3, compared to 65,3 achieved in 2024. Three of the SDGs on which it provided evidence (Decent work and economic growth, Quality education, and Gender equality) scored in the top quartile worldwide, while a further four scored in the top half.
The Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings for 2025 were officially released in June. The University of South Africa (Unisa) again improved its performance in this important annual assessment, which rates the performance of 2 526 universities from 130 countries or territories based on their progress towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The overall ranking is based on SDG 17 – Partnerships towards the goals, and the three best-performing SDGs of each university. Only institutions that submitted data for SDG 17 and at least three other SDGs are considered for inclusion in the overall ranking.
Unisa’s score rose to 66,3, compared to 65,3 achieved in 2024. The university is placed seventh among the thirteen South African institutions ranked, and three of the SDGs on which it provided evidence scored in the top quartile worldwide.
Unisa’s performance in the SDGs submitted compared to 2024:
| SDG | 2024 | 2025 | ||||
| Overall | 65,3 | 601-800/1 965 | 66,3 | 601-800/2 318 | ||
| 4 – Quality education | Q1 | 61,6 | 401-600/1 681 | Q1 | 63,5 | 301-400/1 975 |
| 5 – Gender equality | Q2 | 57,1 | 301-400/1 361 | Q1 | 61,8 | 201-300/1 559 |
| 6 – Clean water and sanitation | Q2 | 48,1 | 401-600/867 | Q2 | 51,7 | 301-400/1 042 |
| 7 – Affordable and clean energy | Q3 | 43,8 | 601-800/1 149 | Q3 | 43,8 | 601-800.1 181 |
| 8 – Decent work and economic growth | Q3 | 48,6 | 601-800/1 149 | Q1 | 71,1 | 101-200/1 350 |
| 10 – Reduced inequalities | Q2 | 56,8 | 301-400/ 1 186 | Q2 | 51,6 | 401-600/1 261 |
| 12 – Responsible consumption and production | Q2 | 65,0 | 301-400/1 265 | |||
| 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions | Q2 | 61,0 | 401-600/1 036 | Q2 | 59,1 | 301-400/1 265 |
| 17– Partnerships for the goals | Q2 | 57,6 | 801-1000 | Q3 | 57,1 | 1001-1500/2 389 |
- SDG 8 was Unisa’s best-performing SDG, and together with SDG 4 and SDG 5 scored in the top quartile worldwide.
- SDG 6, 10, 12 (new entrant in the submission) and 16 performed in the top half worldwide.
- The two SDGs not in the top half worldwide both scored just below the median worldwide.
Thirteen South African universities were included in the overall ranking: the University of Johannesburg (jointly 23rd), the University of Pretoria (63rd), the University of Cape Town (101-200), the University of the Witwatersrand (201-300), the University of the Western Cape and Walter Sisulu University (401-600), Unisa (601-800), Durban University of Technology, Nelson Mandela University, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Tshwane University of Technology and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (1001-1500), and the University of the Free State (1501+).
Unisa has been steadily improving its standing in various international university rankings. The THE University Impact Rankings is of special importance to the institution since it speaks to performance in terms of SDGs, a key aspect in Unisa’s journey towards being the African university in the service of humanity.
It is, moreover, testimony to the hard and dedicated work of Unisa’s academics and the fact that the university’s investments in research are paying off. All these efforts reflect the leadership of Professor Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor, in shaping the trajectory of a successful, impactful, empathetic, caring and resultful university.
www.unisa.ac.za
