TMU made strong gains in two recent global rankings, demonstrating its growing impact in sustainability, academic excellence and scholarly, research and creative activities.
The 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings recognized TMU for its contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and also rose in the latest QS World University Rankings, reflecting continued progress in key areas of academic and research performance.
Global recognition for local and international impact
In the newly released 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, TMU moved into the 101-200 band, and top 10 per cent, out of 2,318 ranked institutions worldwide: a clear sign of the university's growing global influence and commitment to meaningful change.
The THE Impact Rankings measure how universities advance the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which target urgent global challenges like poverty, inequality, climate change and education access.
TMU's rise in the rankings reflects the university's deep and ongoing commitment to these goals through academic excellence, SRC, innovation and community engagement.
Among this year's highlights, TMU placed in the top 100 globally for its performance on SDG 5: Gender Equality (tied for 100th) and SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation (78th). These strong results recognize TMU's leadership in advancing gender equality and responsible water management.
Initiatives include training for hiring committees to reduce bias, strategies to increase representation of women and gender-diverse individuals in leadership, and programs such as the Empowering Women in Academic speaker series and Women in Engineering.
TMU demonstrates water leadership through its Urban Water research institute, low-flow fixtures in buildings, and campus-wide awareness campaigns.
TMU was also ranked in the top 200 for eight additional SDGs, including Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Climate Action (SDG 13). From the Clean Energy Zone supporting startups in renewable technologies, to ongoing work in inclusive education, urban development and waste reduction, these rankings reflect the university's broad and integrated approach to sustainability.
They also reinforce TMU's commitment to climate justice, accessibility and responsible innovation through research, teaching and community partnerships.
Academic strength and international momentum drive progress
TMU continues to rise in other global rankings.
In the 2026 QS World University Rankings, TMU placed 720th out of 8,467 institutions, improving from the 801-850 band last year. This made TMU Canada's biggest riser, a distinction it also earned in this year's QS Sustainability Rankings for its growing impact in climate action, social responsibility and institutional governance.
The university's performance was especially strong in indicators such as citations per faculty, international research collaborations, faculty and student diversity, and employer reputation.
These results reflect TMU's SRC strength, including its 25 Canada Research Chairs and Canada Excellence Research Chairs in Migration and Integration and in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing.
TMU's international plan and global partnerships further underscore its commitment to cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange.
TMU continues its upward trajectory with increases in scholarly publications across its priority areas of research and creative activity.
This includes work on the multifaceted impacts of migration, critical health issues such as mental health, biomedical innovation in disease detection and analysis, and technical advances in transportation, infrastructure and sustainability.
TMU researchers are also part of major international collaborations such as the Urban Sanctuary, Migrant Solidarity, and Hospitality in Global Perspective partnership, which explores urban settlement processes and refugee policies, and Link4Skills Horizon EU, which addresses skills development in rapidly evolving labour markets shaped by technological, environmental and demographic change.
"These rankings reflect the university's collective commitment to building a more equitable and sustainable future," said Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, provost and vice-president, academic. "From advancing gender equality to deepening international research networks, our academic plan continues to guide how we show up, globally and locally, with purpose, innovation and impact."
TMU's upward movement in both the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings and the QS World University Rankings reflects the university's growing global presence and its deep commitment to inclusive excellence, sustainability and real-world impact.
As TMU continues to advance its academic mission, it remains focused on driving measurable progress: in scholarly, research and creative activities, in teaching and learning, and in building a better future for communities locally and around the world.
For more details on TMU's rankings, SDGs and ongoing academic initiatives, visit the rankings page.
