The University of Bucharest, first university in Romania and ranked 93rd worldwide for its involvement in sustainable development activities, according to Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025
The University of Bucharest is the first university in Romania and ranked 93rd in the world according to the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, one of the most popular rankings in the international academic space, which assesses the universities with the highest involvement in specific sustainable development activities.
This is the first time that a Romanian university is ranked in the top 100 universities in the overall Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025.
At the national level, among the 25 universities included in the ranking, the University of Bucharest, which is in first place, is followed by three member universities of the Universitaria Consortium: Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies (201 – 300), “Babeș-Bolyai” University of Cluj-Napoca (401 – 600) and “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu (401 – 600).
University of Bucharest, in the top 3 universities in the world for impact and contribution to the “Gender Equality” objective
The criteria against which higher education institutions are evaluated in this ranking are based on the 17 United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) included in the 2030 Agenda. The ranking methodology takes into account for each institution the scores for the top three best-ranked goals, to which is added, necessarily, “Goal 17 – Partnerships for achieving the goals”. For this year’s edition, the University of Bucharest reported for 9 of the 17 objectives. For seven of the nine Objectives reported, the University of Bucharest is in first position at national level. These are “Goal 4 – Quality Education”, “Goal 5 – Gender Equality”, “Goal 8 – Decent Work and Growth”, “Goal 10 – Reduced Inequality”, “Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities”, “Goal 16 – Peace, Justice and Effective Institutions”. Added to these are “Goal 17 – Partnerships for achieving the Goals”, where the results of Romanian universities, listed in alphabetical order, place the University of Bucharest and the Academy of Economic Studies of Bucharest in first place at national level and in the 101 – 200 range at international level.
The best score obtained by the University of Bucharest is for “Goal 5 – Gender Equality”, where, according to the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, the institution ranks 3rd in the world.
“This exceptional positioning in the world top 100 overall for engagement in sustainable development activities and top 3 for gender equality reconfirms the University of Bucharest’s mission to be a place of excellence, inclusion and social responsibility. It is a recognition of the sustained efforts of the entire academic community and an encouragement to continue, through education and research, to build a sustainable future for Romanian society and for the world. This result is not only a source of pride, but also a renewed commitment to take concrete action to reduce inequalities, promote equity, protect the environment and strengthen partnerships that bring about real change. The University of Bucharest will remain an active and responsible actor in the transformation of education and society, in Romania and beyond its borders”, says the Rector of the University of Bucharest, Prof. Marian Preda.
The University of Bucharest is also among the top 25 universities in the world for “Goal 4 – Quality education” and among the top 36 universities in the world for “Goal 16 – Peace, justice and effective institutions”.
“Goal 11 – Sustainable cities and communities” places the University of Bucharest among the top 83 universities in the world, while for “Goal 8 – Decent work and economic growth”, the University of Bucharest is ranked 84th in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025.
Last but not least, the University of Bucharest ranks 101 – 200 for “Objective 1 – Poverty free”, 301 – 400, together with the “Babeș-Bolyai” University of Cluj-Napoca, for “Objective 10 – Reduced inequalities” and 401 – 600, for “Objective 3 – Health and well-being”.
With this unprecedented performance, the University of Bucharest reconfirms its status as a leader in higher education in Romania, proving that it is a prestigious academic partner at international level. Being ranked among the top 100 universities in the world in the field of sustainable development reflects the UB’s consistency in promoting values such as equity, social responsibility, quality education and active involvement in community life. This result is also a firm commitment for the future: we continue to build a university rooted in reality, responsive and adaptable to the needs of society, open and able to respond to global challenges through knowledge, collaboration and innovation.
The full ranking, as well as the methodology for ranking universities according to their involvement in specific sustainable development activities, can be found at here.