In summary

  • Swinburne has climbed to number 270 in the world in the latest QS Sustainability Ranking 2025

  • Swinburne performed strongly across indicators of environmental research, health and wellbeing, impact of education, and equality

  • This year’s ranking encompasses 1,744 institutions worldwide and applies 53 indicators spanning environmental impact, social impact and governance.

Swinburne University of Technology has surged to number 270 in the world in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2025.

Swinburne’s debut in the top 300 represents a leap of over 300 places for the university, up from 594 in 2024. 

The result adds to a string of top 300 ranking successes for Swinburne, including the QS World University Rankings 2025 and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025. 

Swinburne performed strongly for indicators related to environmental research, health and wellbeing, impact of education, and equality.  

Evidence of Swinburne’s environmental research takes into account everything from the impact of research being done across the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, to having a research centre with an environmental sustainability focus – such as Swinburne’s Innovative Planet Research Institute, Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2), and the Siemens Swinburne Energy Transition Hub.

Swinburne’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Professor Karen Hapgood, said the latest result affirms Swinburne’s reputation for research excellence in sustainability, and also reflects the university’s dedication to a Net Zero 2025 Pathway.

“Swinburne is committed to driving research and innovation for a sustainable future, and we’re proud to leap into the top 300 in this year’s QS Sustainability Rankings. While we’re more than our rank, we’re also proud to be recognised among the world’s most sustainable universities,” Professor Hapgood said.

“Our researchers are striving for a more sustainable planet and a carbon neutral world by 2050. This year’s result reflects their commitment in fields like clean energy and hydrogen, decarbonisation, smart energy management, sustainable materials and the circular economy.” 

About the QS Sustainability Ranking

The QS Sustainability Rankings describes how institutions are demonstrating a commitment to a more sustainable existence. 

The ranking encompasses three categories: 

  • Environmental Impact, comprising 17 indicators across environmental education, environmental research and environmental sustainability; 

  • Social Impact, comprising 26 indictors spanning employability and opportunities, equality, health and wellbeing, impact of education, and knowledge exchange; and

  • Governance, comprising 10 indicators of good governance.

To learn more about the 2025 methodology, visit the QS Sustainability Rankings website.

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