THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026: Continued Progress

The 2026 edition of the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings—the new name for the Impact Rankings—has just been published. This international ranking assesses universities’ contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through their policies, research, education, and societal impact.

Université Côte d’Azur has moved up one tier in the overall global ranking and is now ranked in the 401–600 range worldwide, up from 601–800 in the previous edition. This progress reflects the consolidation of its strategy regarding social and environmental responsibility.

Significant Improvements Across Several SDGs

The 2026 edition highlights notable progress on several key themes:

• Ranked in the global Top 200 and among the national Top 1–3 for SDG 3—Good Health and Well-being

This reflects our university’s recent investments in health-related topics—a strategic focus for research and education at Université Côte d’Azur—including the creation of the new Health Campus, the UniCA project promoting sustainable health, and the 2IP Aging and Well-being initiative, recognized as a collaborating center of the World Health Organization (WHO).

• Ranked in the global TOP 200 and national TOP 2–4 for SDG 11—Sustainable Cities and Communities.

The projects led by IMREDD , combined with policies promoting engagement with the city, help ensure that Université Côte d'Azur maintains a consistently high ranking for this SDG.

• Ranked in the global TOP 200 and national TOP 4–6 for SDG 14—Life Below Water.

Our Master of Science in Conservation and Valorization of Marine Resources, along with research on marine issues—conducted notably by ECOSEAS and the “Territories, Environments, Risks, and Resilience” Academy of Excellence—make this SDG one of Université Côte d'Azur’s key focus areas.

• Direct entry into the global Top 300 and national Top 1–3 for SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Discover the initiatives led by the IDPD—Institute for Peace and Development—which is responsible for advancing the university’s contributions to peace and development.
•  Ranked among the world’s top 300 for SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 13 (Climate Action), 15 (Life on Land), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

These results reflect Université Côte d’Azur’s fundamental commitment to environmental, social, and institutional transitions, as well as its ability to develop high-impact partnerships.

A leading ranking on university impact

The Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings are currently the only global ranking that evaluates higher education institutions against the SDGs defined by the United Nations. In 2026, 1,646 universities from 116 countries and territories were evaluated across 17 thematic rankings and one overall ranking (1,603 institutions ranked).