We're committed to playing our part to make the world a better place. This includes helping to create an inclusive society where everyone is welcome and protecting and preserving a sustainable environment. Our rankings and awards below reflect this, none of which would be possible without the hard work and dedication of our community. Read on to discover more about what makes us so #BUProud:

League table rankings

Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings 2023

BU is 41st in the world and 1st in the UK in the THE Young University Rankings 2023. The rankings measure universities under the age of 50 years old using five indicators; teaching, research volume, research citations, international outlook and industry income.

Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2023

The THE Impact Rankings measure the work of universities against the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), and BU has risen to joint 29th place out of 1,591 universities measured internationally, up from 42nd last year. We are also 5th in the UK. 

Each university receives a score against the UN SDGs to create an overall score, with BU scoring highly in: 

  • SDG8 Decent Work and Economic Growth: BU scored 3rd internationally (up from 4th last year) and came 1st in the UK out of 960 participating institutions, recognising our employment practice, student work placements and staff secure contract rate 
  • SDG12 Responsible Consumption and Production: BU scored 6th internationally, and 4th in the UK, out of 674 participating institutions. This recognises our high recycling rates on campus, our academic research and waste data reporting 
  • SDG13 Climate Action: BU scored 21st internationally, and 6th in the UK, out of 735 participating institutions due to our use of low carbon energy on campus, our net zero commitments and our environmental education measures 
  • SDG6 Clean Water and Sanitation: BU scored 30th internationally, and 2nd in the UK, out of 720 participating institutions due to our monitoring of water consumption, our rainwater harvesting systems and our work with the community to educate about reducing water consumption.  

Other league table rankings:

Our awards

Faculty awards

AACSB accredited logo

AACSB

BU’s Business School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and is one of just 6% of Business Schools accredited worldwide.

NCCA logo

National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA)

BU’s Faculty of Media & Communication is home to the NCCA which boasts two Oscar-winners among its alumni. Andy Lockley has received the Best Visual Effects nod three times for his work on Interstellar, Inception and Tenet, while Marc Ardington received the award for his work on the film Ex Machina.

The NCCA is ranked in the top three animation schools in the world (second in Europe and first in the UK) according to Animation Career Review in 2023.

QS Rankings logo

QS World University Rankings

According to the 2023 QS World University Rankings by subject, BU’s Hospitality and Leisure Management programmes rank 19th globally and 2nd in the UK.

Research and Education

  • The Research Excellence Framework (REF) measures the impact of university research. In the latest exercise, 94% of BU’s research was rated as internationally recognised or higher, with 19% ranked as world-leading
  • In the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), which measures all undergraduate courses and is awarded at university level, BU has achieved a Silver rating. The rating recognises both student experience and student outcomes and is valid for four years from its awarding in 2023.

Athena SWAN Bronze Award

In May 2019, BU was awarded a Bronze Athena SWAN Award in recognition of our achievements and commitment to improving gender equality in Higher Education.

Athena swan bronze award logo

The Award, which originally covered women working in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM), was expanded in 2015 to recognise work undertaken in both STEMM and Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Business and Law (AHSSBL) and to address gender equality more broadly for all academic and professional and support staff as well as students. It was under the new charter that BU has achieved accreditation.

BU’s successful submission for a Bronze Award follows our commitment to strive for a gender-inclusive culture across the university. Our focus is moving from central to local implementation, embedding the SWAN Charter principles in faculties/services and supporting all departments to achieve SWAN awards. Key aims are to enhance the representation of women in senior academic roles, support and encourage a flexible and family-friendly working environment for all staff and ensure gender equality is embedded throughout the university.

The following departments also hold a departmental Athena SWAN Bronze Award:

More awards and commitments: