Awards and league table success

Exeter is one of the top universities in the world

The University is ranked 153rd in the latest (2024) QS World University Rankings.
The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024 ranked us top 10in the world, and as a leader in the following SDGs:
- 1st globally for Clean Water and Sanitation – SDG 6
- 6th globally for Life Below Water – SDG 14
- =7th globally for Responsible Consumption and Production – SDG 12
- 12th globally for Climate Action – SDG 13
- Top 20 globally for Zero Hunger – SDG 2

We are 7th in the UK, 10th in Europe and 38th in the world in the CWTS Leiden Ranking 2024, when the quality of publications is taken into account ("PP top 10%" - percentage of outputs in the top 10% most-cited). The Leiden Ranking offers key insights into the scientific performance of more than 1,400 major universities worldwide.

Each league table ranks more than 100 UK higher education institutions.

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 ranked Exeter as 11^th in the UK, and named the University as runner-up in the prestigious University of the year award for the second year running.
This year’s Guardian league table (2024) lists Exeter in 18th position out of 122 higher education institutions.
The Complete University Guide (2024) published in the Independent lists Exeter in 15th place.

The University has four times been awarded a prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize. The most recent award was made in 2020 to a team of scientists who have exposed the devastating effect that plastics pollution has on the health of humans and wildlife. It is the fourth Prize won by the University.