SOAS ranked 4th in UK for ethical investments by People & Planet
SOAS’s continued commitment to sustainability has seen us climb 62 places in the People & Plant University League 2025/6, putting us in the top ten of London universities and joint 28th in the UK.
SOAS's change in rank is the 2nd largest year-on-year improvement achieved by any UK university in the 2025/26 cycle, and we are now classed as a 2:1 university, joint third out of 46 universities in the same category.
This is a remarkable achievement and one which reflects the fantastic work and collaboration of colleagues across SOAS as we continue to embed sustainability into every part of our work.
SOAS scored particularly highly in the Ethical Investments category, ranking 1st in London and 4th nationally. Other highlights include 2nd in London for Water Reduction and 5th for Waste and Recycling. Our decision to exclude investments in the border industries was also recognised by the ranking.
Professor Joanna Newman, Provost, said: “This is a remarkable achievement and one which reflects the fantastic work and collaboration of colleagues across SOAS as we continue to embed sustainability into every part of our work. Our improvement across a breadth of categories is testament to the impact this focus is having, and I would like to thank everyone involved.
"Not only is sustainability a core pillar of our new strategy, but we also know that sustainability credentials are playing an increasingly important role in the perceptions and choices of prospective students. This impressive improvement will support and reinforce SOAS’s reputation as a university where sustainability truly matters.”
People & Planet is the largest student network in the UK campaigning for social and environmental justice. Their annual University League ranks 147 UK universities based on environmental and ethical performance.
The People & Planet survey is compiled using information made public on university websites and in the previous year’s Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Estates Management Record (EMR). Universities receive award classes that follow the typical grading system in UK higher education, from 1st, 2:1, 2:2, 3rd and Fail.
