The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings have again rated universities based on how they promote the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). LUT once again ranked among the global top 101–200 out of 2,318 universities. Of the eight Finnish universities included in the Impact Rankings, LUT and the University of Helsinki tied for first place.
“There are roughly 30,000 universities in the world. As an increasing number are making the ranking lists, it’s wonderful to see LUT maintaining its trailblazer position and universities worldwide taking more concrete actions for the climate,” says Mari Kallioinen-Mänttäri, provost at LUT University.
This year, LUT placed in the top 100 in terms of three goals: clean water and sanitation (SDG6), responsible consumption and production (SDG12), and climate action (SDG13). In climate action, LUT continued on the path familiar from recent years: the university placed 10th in 2025 and 2024, 26th in 2023, and ninth in 2022.
Overall, LUT ranked in the top 25 per cent in all of its seven assessed SDGs even though the ranking included 355 universities more than last year.
Subscribe to our Curious People newsletter
The Curious People newsletter shares our solutions for helping build resilient communities, industry, and businesses while promoting the energy transition and the regenerative use of natural resources.
High ranking for international students and academic staff
In addition to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, the QS World University Rankings also just published its latest results. As one of the leading university rankings globally, QS lists universities based on nine indicators. They include international citations per faculty member, the number of international students and academic staff members, the student-to-faculty ratio, academic and employer reputation, sustainability, the international research network, and employment outcomes.
In the QS World University Rankings 2026, LUT came in 397th out of the 1,501 universities listed. Previously, LUT placed 336th in 2024 and 351st in 2023. As the number of universities in the rankings increases, a university’s position may change even though its score remains the same.
“Although our overall ranking dropped slightly this year, I’m confident that we’re on the path to improving our position in future QS rankings,” Kallioinen-Mänttäri adds.
LUT continued performing especially well in the citations per faculty member indicator, where it was in the global top 63 and the top-ranked Finnish university. LUT also improved its position with regard to the number of international students by 86 places, coming in second in Finland, and ranked 334th globally for international faculty.
“We’re a highly international research university. With our new strategy, we aim to make an even greater impact in the world with our research and education,” Kallioinen-Mänttäri sums up.
More information:
