Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

The 17 SDGs are integrated—they recognise that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability.

The University currently focuses on the below 8 SDG's within its strategic vision. The SDG Goals form important parts of two international University rankings: Times Higher Education Impact Rankings and the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability which the University currently submits to.  

The University in the THE Impact Rankings 2025 are:

  • Ranked 63rd (out of 1265 institutions) up from 201-300 rank last year, in SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and 9th in the UK
  • Continue to be ranked 101-200 (out of 1681 institutions) in SDG 4 Quality Education, now Joint 1st in the UK.

Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG11)

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG16)

Partnerships for the Goals (SDG17)

Latest sustainability news


Woodlands Day Nursery web

Inspirational university nursery scoops national award

University of Staffordshire’s Woodlands Day Nursery has won the National NMT Nursery Award 2025 for ‘Indoor Learning Environment of the Year’

Topping out ceremony plaque web

University of Staffordshire’s net zero student hub reaches key milestone as development progresses

University of Staffordshire has celebrated topping out the new 21,000 sq ft student village hub at its Stoke-on-Trent campus

Professor Gwinnett recently delivering wildlife crime scene training

Wildlife project to showcase breakthroughs in conservation at international event

Conservation experts are uniting to protect some of the world’s most endangered species and their habitats

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2026

in the UK for Games Education

Rookies Games Design and Development 2023, 2025 & TIGA Best Games Intuition 2024, 2025

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021