This Montreal university ranked among the best schools in the world

Only one other Quebec institution made the cut.

A view of Montreal's Old Port, Grand Rose and the CHUM hospital.

A view of Montreal's Old Port, Grand Rose and the CHUM hospital.

Assistant Editor

A university in the heart of Montreal was recently ranked among the best schools in the world, and it's all thanks to its sustainable choices.

Time's Higher Education dropped its 2024 ranking of the top universities pursuing sustainable development goals in 2024, and a handful of Canadian institutions managed to make the cut.

Despite appearances on the list from the University of Alberta, and Queen's University, both of which managed to make the top 10 of the ranking, only two Quebec universities landed a spot on the new ranking — one of which is right here in Montreal.

Time's Higher Education evaluated 2,152 universities from 125 countries/regions to produce the overall Impact Ranking for 2024. The ranking integrates scores across multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — put in place by the United Nations —to reflect overall performance and impact.

The schools were ranked based on the 17 SDGs laid out by the UN including quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, as well as sustainable cities and communities, to name a few.

So, which university landed on top? Australia's Western Sydney University ranked number one for the third consecutive year.

The Université de Montréal (UdeM) was the only Montreal university to make the Impact Ranking. UdeM ranked 28th overall — scoring the highest in industry, innovation and infrastructure as well as SDGs partnerships.

While this may be the only Montreal school to make the ranking, it was not the highest-performing Quebec university.

The Université de Laval ranked 19th overall, scoring highest in areas such as responsible consumption and production as well as peace, justice and strong institutions.

Wondering which other schools made the list? Here's the complete top 10 of global schools pursuing sustainable development in 2024, per Time's Higher Education:

  1. Western Sydney University — Australia
  2. University of Manchester — United Kingdom
  3. University of Tasmania — Australia
  4. Aalborg University — Denmark
  5. RMIT University — Australia
  6. University of Alberta — Canada
  7. UNSW Sydney — Australia
  8. Queen's University — Canada
  9. Arizona State University — United States
  10. University of Exeter — United Kingdom

To see the entire Impact Ranking of 2024, visit the full Time's Higher Education ranking here.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.

  • Mike Chaar
  • Assistant Editor

    Mike Chaar was an assistant editor & writer for MTL Blog. You might recognize him from bylines in Men's Health, FanSided, Contiki, and ScreenRant, to name a few. Mike's work has also appeared on the 'Real Housewives' and 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' When Mike isn't typing away, you can find him at his fave sushi spot, listening to one of Mariah Carey's 19 number-one hits or creating content.

Canadian travellers will soon need to pay for a special pass just to enter Europe

Travellers under 18 or over 70 won't have to pay the fee.

Quebec has 5 of Canada's 10 best hotels for 2026, but a BC spot reigned supreme

The Ritz-Carlton Montreal is the Montreal's highest finisher, landing in fourth place.

Dunkin' is scouting different Quebec cities for new locations

Montreal isn't the only city in the province getting in on the chain.

Montreal's Olympic Stadium is getting a major interior renovation — and a Céline Dion show?

The government has chosen not to disclose the cost of the renovations yet.