Story perspectives

UK Universities Cut Ties with Fossil Fuels, Boost Rankings

12/11/2025

Summary

Story summary

Eighteen UK universities, representing 12% of the sector, severed ties with fossil fuel companies and banned them from recruitment fairs, marking an 80% increase from last year.
Manchester Metropolitan University topped the People and Planet league for the fourth consecutive year, praised for its energy efficiency initiatives.
The number of universities divesting from border-control companies rose from six to thirteen.
The University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge improved their rankings significantly.
Only three Russell Group universities achieved a first-class award this year, down from six two years ago.

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Story summary

Eighteen UK universities, representing 12% of the sector, severed ties with fossil fuel companies and banned them from recruitment fairs, marking an 80% increase from last year.
Manchester Metropolitan University topped the People and Planet league for the fourth consecutive year, praised for its energy efficiency initiatives.
The number of universities divesting from border-control companies rose from six to thirteen.
The University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge improved their rankings significantly.
Only three Russell Group universities achieved a first-class award this year, down from six two years ago.