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A growing number of universities across the Western Balkans are featuring in the Times Higher Education’s (THE) – Impact Rankings showcasing their social and economic impact and their commitment to sustainability on a global stage. Some universities in the region have achieved world top -500 rankings. In 2023, four institutions across the Western Balkans participated in the Impact Rankings and in 2024 this number has increased to ten, with Albania and North Macedonia joining the ranking for the first time in 2024.
The ranking, now in its sixth year, is the world’s only one that measures universities’ contributions to the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and assesses their commitment to sustainability across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching. It shows:
A record 2,152 universities from 125 countries/regions are assessed, which is 26 per cent increase on last year when 1,705 universities were ranked. Progress is measured for each of the individual 17 SDGs, and across the goals as a whole. Some 24 universities from 12 countries/regions achieve number one positions across the 17 UN SDGs.
The highest ranked higher education institutions in the overall category, across the Western Balkans, are:
- Albania: Aleksandër Moisiu University ranked in band 1001-1500, ranked for the first time in 2024
- Bosnia Herzegovina: University of Mostar ranked in band 601-800, ranked for the first time in 2024
- Kosovo: UBT ranked in band 1001-1500
- North Macedonia: University St. Kliment Ohridski – Bitola ranked in band 1001-1500, ranked for the first time in 2024
- Serbia: University of Kragujevac ranked in band 601-800
It is great to see growing participation with six universities ranked for the first time in the overall Impact Rankings 2024.
Impact Rankings 2024: all Western Balkans higher education institutions in the overall Impact Rankings 2024
| Higher Education Institution | Country/Region | Rank 2024 | Rank 2023 |
| University of Kragujevac | Serbia | 601–800 | 401–600 |
| University of Mostar | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 601–800 | – |
| Aleksandër Moisiu University | Albania | 1001–1500 | – |
| UBT | Kosovo | 1001–1500 | 801–1000 |
| University St. Kliment Ohridski – Bitola | North Macedonia | 1001–1500 | – |
| Heimerer College | Kosovo | 1501+ | 1001+ |
| International Business College Mitrovica | Kosovo | 1501+ | – |
| International University of Sarajevo | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1501+ | 1001+ |
| UNI – Universum International College (Kolegji Universum) | Kosovo | 1501+ | – |
| University Haxhi Zeka | Kosovo | 1501+ | – |
View the full Impact Rankings 2024 results here.
The most participated in SDGs across the Western Balkans are SDG 4 – Quality education and SDG 17 Partnership for the goals which both have participation from ten institutions in total.
Within SDG 4 – Quality education we see participation from ten institutions, five of which appear in the top 1000 with University Haxhi Zeka (Kosovo) ranking in band 301-400, University of Kragujevac (Serbia) and University of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) appearing in band 601-800 and Aleksandër Moisiu University (Albania) and UBT (Kosovo) featuring in band 801-1000.
Institutions in the Western Balkans within SDG 4 – Quality Education
| Higher Education Institution | Country/Region | Rank 2024 | Rank 2023 |
| University Haxhi Zeka | Kosovo | 301–400 | – |
| University of Kragujevac | Serbia | 601–800 | 401–600 |
| University of Mostar | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 601–800 | – |
| Aleksandër Moisiu University | Albania | 801–1000 | – |
| UBT | Kosovo | 801–1000 | 801–1000 |
| International University of Sarajevo | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1001–1500 | 1001+ |
| UNI – Universum International College (Kolegji Universum) | Kosovo | 1001–1500 | – |
| University St. Kliment Ohridski – Bitola | North Macedonia | 1001–1500 | – |
| Heimerer College | Kosovo | 1501+ | 1001+ |
| International Business College Mitrovica | Kosovo | 1501+ | – |
The highest rank a university appears in is SDG 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions which features the University of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) in band 201-300.
Western Balkans universities highest position in the 17 individual SDGs
- SDG 1 – No poverty: UBT (Kosovo) – band 301-400
- SDG 2 – Zero hunger: UBT (Kosovo) – band 301-400
- SDG 3 – Good health and well-being: – University of Kragujevac (Serbia) – band 301-400
- SDG 4 – Quality education: University Haxhi Zeka (Kosovo) – band 301-400
- SDG 5 – Gender equality: – UNI – Universum International College (Kolegji Universum) (Kosovo) – band 401-600
- SDG 6 – Clean water and sanitation: UBT (Kosovo) – band 401-600
- SDG 7 – Affordable and clean energy: UBT (Kosovo) – band 601-800
- SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth: University of Kragujevac (Serbia) – band 401-600
- SDG 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure: UBT (Kosovo) – band 401-600
- SDG 10 – Reduced inequalities: University of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – band 401-60
- SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities: UBT (Kosovo) – band 401-600
- SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production: UBT (Kosovo) – band 601-800
- SDG 13 – Climate action: UBT (Kosovo) – band 301-400
- SDG 14 – Life below water: UBT (Kosovo) – band 401-600
- SDG 15 – Life on land: UBT (Kosovo) – band 301-400
- SDG 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions: University of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – band 201-300
- SDG 17 – Partnerships for the goals: University of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – band 201-300
Phil Baty, Times Higher Education’s chief global affairs officer, said: “I’m highly delighted to see participation growing across the Western Balkans and to see many universities participating for the first time in the Impact Rankings 2024. All universities and institutions are welcome to participate and they only need to submit into one SDG to be included in the rankings and given a dedicated profile on the rankings website. It is inspiring to see so many universities in the region committed to demonstrate how they are contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.“
To participate in THE’s Impact Rankings 2025, register your interest here: https://bit.ly/3KVcNB5, find out more in our latest article here: https://bit.ly/4cKwuaz or email: impact@timeshighereducation.com
Join the free Masterclass taking part on 26 September 14.00 CET for further details and to register visit: https://www.westernbalkans-infohub.eu/news/western-balkans-doubles-participation-in-times-higher-educations-the-impact-rankings-2024/ and register here for the zoom call: https://bit.ly/47aeCnH
APPENDICES
- About the Impact Rankings and methodology
- Results of the top placed higher education institution for each of the 17 SDGs
- Overall top 100
1. About the Impact Rankings
The rankings assess universities on metrics across all 17 UN SDGs. The findings are displayed in 18 league tables, one for each of the 17 individual SDGs, and one overall ranking table. To appear in the overall ranking table, universities must have submitted to SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals) and a minimum of three other SDGs. Read more about the methodology here.
2. Highest placed higher education institution in all 17 SDGs
SDG 1 – No poverty – Universitas Airlangga (Indonesia) Research on poverty and support for students from poor families
SDG 2 – Zero hunger – Queen’s University (Canada) - Research on hunger, teaching on food sustainability and commitment to tackling food waste and hunger on campus and locally
SDG 3 – Good health and well-being – JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (India) – Research on key diseases and conditions, support for healthcare professions, and health of students and staff
SDG 4 – Quality education – Aalborg University (Denmark) – Contributions to early years and lifelong learning and commitment to inclusive education
SDG 5 – Gender equality: Western Sydney University (Australia) – Research and policies on gender equality and commitment to recruiting and promoting women
SDG 6 – Clean water and sanitation – University of Exeter (UK) - Research related to water, water usage and commitment to ensuring good water management in wider community
SDG 7 – Affordable and clean energy – Afe Babalola University (Nigeria) Energy research, energy use and policies, and commitment to promoting energy efficiency
SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth – Kyungpook National University (South Korea) - Economics research, employment practices and share of students taking work placements
SDG 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure – Delft University of Technology (Netherlands), RWTH Aachen University (Germany), Technical University of Munich (Germany), TU Dresden (Germany), University of Edinburgh (UK), University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (Germany), University of Stuttgart (Germany) and Yonsei University (Seoul campus) (South Korea) – Research on industry and innovation, number of patents and spin-off companies and research income from industry
SDG 10 – Reduced inequalities – RMIT University (Australia) – Research on social inequalities, policies on discrimination and commitment to recruiting staff and students from under-represented groups
SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities – University of Manchester (UK) – Research on sustainability, role as custodians of arts and heritage and internal approaches to sustainability
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production – Bournemouth University (UK) and King’s College London (UK) – Research on responsible consumption and approach to the sustainable use of resources
SDG 13 – Climate action – University of Tasmania (Australia) – Research on climate change, use of energy and preparations for dealing with consequences of climate change
SDG 14 – Life below water – Arizona State University (Tempe) (United States) – Research on life below water and education on and support for aquatic ecosystems
SDG 15 – Life on land – University of Manchester (UK) – Research on life on land and education on and support for land ecosystems
SDG 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions – Universiti Sains Malaysia (Malaysia) – Research on peace and justice, participation as advisers for government and policies on academic freedom
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the goals – University of Technology Sydney (Australia) – The broader ways in which universities support the SDGs through collaboration with other countries, promotion of best practices and publication of data
3. Overall top 100 of THE’s Impact Rankings 2024
(for the full list of universities in your country and/or the full ranking email communications@timeshighereducation.com)
| Higher education institution | Country/region | Rank 2024 | Rank 2023 |
| Western Sydney University | Australia | 1 | 1 |
| University of Manchester | United Kingdom | =2 | 2 |
| University of Tasmania | Australia | =2 | 5 |
| Aalborg University | Denmark | 4 | =9 |
| RMIT University | Australia | 5 | =7 |
| University of Alberta | Canada | 6 | =7 |
| UNSW Sydney | Australia | 7 | =18 |
| Queen’s University | Canada | 8 | 3 |
| Arizona State University (Tempe) | United States | 9 | 6 |
| University of Exeter | United Kingdom | 10 | =18 |
| Yonsei University (Seoul campus) | South Korea | 11 | =14 |
| University of Glasgow | United Kingdom | 12 | 13 |
| Florida International University | United States | =13 | =100 |
| University of Auckland | New Zealand | =13 | 12 |
| University of Technology Sydney | Australia | =13 | =14 |
| University of Victoria | Canada | =13 | =9 |
| Simon Fraser University | Canada | 17 | =86 |
| Universiti Sains Malaysia | Malaysia | 18 | 4 |
| Mahidol University | Thailand | =19 | 38 |
| Université Laval | Canada | =19 | =14 |
| Institut Agro | France | =21 | – |
| Western University | Canada | =21 | =9 |
| Kyung Hee University | South Korea | 23 | =42 |
| Macquarie University | Australia | 24 | 39 |
| Michigan State University | United States | =25 | =26 |
| National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) | Taiwan | =25 | =24 |
| University of Strathclyde | United Kingdom | =25 | =36 |
| Université de Montréal | Canada | =28 | =42 |
| University of Reading | United Kingdom | =28 | =61 |
| McMaster University | Canada | 30 | 33 |
| University of Indonesia | Indonesia | 31 | 20 |
| Monash University | Australia | 32 | 21 |
| King’s College London | United Kingdom | 33 | – |
| Istanbul Technical University | Turkey | 34 | =58 |
| York University | Canada | 35 | =40 |
| Durham University | United Kingdom | =36 | =77 |
| The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology | Hong Kong | =36 | – |
| University of Johannesburg | South Africa | =36 | =46 |
| Bournemouth University | United Kingdom | =39 | =29 |
| Kyungpook National University | South Korea | =39 | =42 |
| University of Newcastle | Australia | =39 | 28 |
| University of Pretoria | South Africa | 42 | 69 |
| Chulalongkorn University | Thailand | 43 | 17 |
| Chinese University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong | =44 | =83 |
| Manchester Metropolitan University | United Kingdom | =44 | 66 |
| University of Wollongong | Australia | =44 | =61 |
| University of Galway | Ireland | 47 | =34 |
| Northumbria University | United Kingdom | =48 | =79 |
| University of Aberdeen | United Kingdom | =48 | 70 |
| National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University | Taiwan | 50 | =83 |
| Penn State (Main campus) | United States | 51 | =40 |
| Central Queensland University | Australia | =52 | =74 |
| Griffith University | Australia | =52 | =72 |
| University of Leeds | United Kingdom | =52 | – |
| Cardiff University | United Kingdom | =55 | =52 |
| National Taiwan University (NTU) | Taiwan | =55 | =67 |
| University of Coimbra | Portugal | 57 | =29 |
| University of Calgary | Canada | =58 | =34 |
| University of Essex | United Kingdom | =58 | 56 |
| University of Sheffield | United Kingdom | =58 | =42 |
| Nottingham Trent University | United Kingdom | =61 | =86 |
| University of Limerick | Ireland | =61 | =86 |
| University of Malaya | Malaysia | 63 | 101–200 |
| National Autonomous University of Mexico | Mexico | 64 | 32 |
| Dalhousie University | Canada | =65 | =100 |
| Swansea University | United Kingdom | =65 | 101–200 |
| Pusan National University | South Korea | =67 | 201–300 |
| Tecnológico de Monterrey | Mexico | =67 | =92 |
| Université Catholique de Louvain | Belgium | =67 | 101–200 |
| University College Cork | Ireland | =67 | =58 |
| University of Bologna | Italy | =67 | 23 |
| Hokkaido University | Japan | =72 | 22 |
| KTH Royal Institute of Technology | Sweden | =72 | =46 |
| University of Leicester | United Kingdom | =72 | =49 |
| Chiang Mai University | Thailand | =75 | =74 |
| Massey University | New Zealand | =75 | =86 |
| Bangor University | United Kingdom | =77 | =64 |
| The Hong Kong Polytechnic University | Hong Kong | =77 | – |
| University of Cape Town | South Africa | =77 | 101–200 |
| University of the Sunshine Coast | Australia | =77 | =29 |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | India | =81 | =52 |
| King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals | Saudi Arabia | =81 | 201–300 |
| Thammasat University | Thailand | =81 | 101–200 |
| Universitas Airlangga | Indonesia | =81 | 101–200 |
| University of East Anglia | United Kingdom | =81 | =36 |
| IMT Atlantique | France | =86 | 101–200 |
| University of Surrey | United Kingdom | =86 | =46 |
| Middle East Technical University | Turkey | 88 | 101–200 |
| University of Canterbury | New Zealand | =89 | =77 |
| University of Edinburgh | United Kingdom | =89 | =52 |
| University of Greenwich | United Kingdom | =89 | =86 |
| Al Ain University | United Arab Emirates | =92 | 101–200 |
| University of Bristol | United Kingdom | =92 | – |
| IPB University | Indonesia | 94 | 101–200 |
| Kyoto University | Japan | =95 | =49 |
| Newcastle University | United Kingdom | =95 | =24 |
| University of Haifa | Israel | =95 | 101–200 |
| Victoria University of Wellington | New Zealand | =95 | =58 |
| King Faisal University | Saudi Arabia | 99 | 101–200 |
| Tunghai University | Taiwan | 100 | 101–200 |