Student perspectives and expectations on university sustainability
“When I see news about environmental issues, I can’t help but feel alarmed. I’ve always been interested in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and their plans to alleviate global issues.
However, I often find myself unsure of how to take steps to contribute to these global aspirations.”
Caryn
Future17 SDG Challenge student, Chinese University of Hong Kong
For many students, a sustainable university matters more than a high ranking
When asked which type of university they would prefer to enrol in, more than two-thirds of students say they would prefer to study at a sustainable university over a top 500 or top 1,000 ranked institution. Almost half said they would choose sustainability over a top 100 ranked institution.
A third of students feel that applying to a university with strong sustainability outputs would be worth the extra spend, if it cost more.
Which type of university would you prefer to enrol in?
Prefer sustainability over top 100
Prefer sustainability over top 500
Prefer sustainability over top 1,000
Sustainability worth the extra spend
(QS Sustainability Student Survey 2024)
Values-driven students expect more action from universities on sustainability
Increasingly driven by environmental and social consciousness, students are aligning their values for a greener, fairer future with their educational decision-making. It is becoming clear that a greater awareness of environmental and social sustainability issues is leading to growing expectations for universities to be catalysts for change.
88% of prospective students rate sustainability as moderately, very or extremely important
(QS International Student Survey 2024)
40% of prospective students have actively researched an institution's environmental sustainability strategy
(QS International Student Survey 2024)
62% of international students said environmental sustainability was ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ important to them (QS International Student Survey 2024).
Percentage of students who said environmental sustainability was ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ important to them
(QS Sustainability Student Survey 2024)
“The university I applied to implemented environmental and sustainable action towards the programmes, which shows a commitment to a better future.”
A student from Indonesia
About half of all respondents have actively researched a university’s sustainability strategy, mainly through official sources
(QS Sustainability Student Survey 2024)
Students expect universities to take the lead when it comes to sustainability in academia, innovation and initiatives
Half of students believe that universities have a responsibility in protecting the environment and 77% say that it’s important that a university takes steps to reduce their environmental impact.
Demonstrable, real-world change is likely to resonate most effectively with students. More than two-thirds of students judge a university’s environmental sustainability through their on-campus initiatives and 62% say universities are responsible for developing sustainable technologies.
Say universities have the responsibility to develop sustainable technologies
Judge a university’s environmental sustainability by their on-campus initiatives
Think it is important that a university takes steps to reduce their environmental impact
Think that universities share responsibility in protecting the environment
(QS Sustainability Student Survey 2024)
Attention must be given to social sustainability too
Students feel strongly about topics around equality, human rights, and working with local communities. Ensuring equal opportunities for staff and students, and supporting and respecting human rights are the top values students want to see in the university they choose to study at.
What values do you want to see in the university you study at?
(QS Sustainability Student Survey 2024)
“A lot of the universities I’ve researched are starting to focus on the UN’s SDGs, working on the ones which are particularly impactful to their community and students.”
A student from North America
Institutions should place more importance on sustainability initiatives – both environmental and social
Students want to see universities working with local communities and upholding their civic duty to promote positive, two-way engagement with the local, regional and global community. Working with the local community and on-campus initiatives are the two most common measures for prospective students – 71% and 68% of respondents said they were most important, respectively.
What’s most important to you when judging whether a university is…
Socially sustainable
(QS Sustainability Student Survey 2024)
Environmentally sustainable
(QS Sustainability Student Survey 2024)
Leveraging insights can help universities to harness students as their most active drivers of change
(QS Sustainability Student Survey 2024)
There is an opportunity for institutions to maximise their environmental and social sustainability efforts and connect with students in a more meaningful way to make change. Universities can leverage student insights to marry sustainability activities to the student journey for a more cohesive and impactful sustainability strategy that not only aligns with institutional goals but also resonates with students on a personal level.
