Best universities for reducing inequalities 2025

First-generation students and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds are still poorly represented in higher education. But universities are working hard to rectify this, and the Impact Rankings are an indicator of which institutions are doing this successfully.

To compile this ranking, we mapped how universities around the world are committing to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs are a global call to action to tackle poverty, climate change and inequality.

The SDGs look to tackle some of today’s biggest global issues, and SDG 10 in particular covers reducing inequalities.

Some of the metrics that helped measure which universities are excelling at reducing inequalities were the number of first-generation students, the number of students from developing countries, the proportion of students and staff with disabilities, measures against discrimination and the amount of research a university undertakes on reduced inequalities. More information on the methodology can be found here.

These are the top five universities for reducing inequality:

1. University of Huddersfield

The University of Huddersfield has implemented a range of anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies for students and staff.

The university offers mentoring, counselling and peer support to members of the university community: for example, with care-experienced students through the work of care-leaver support coordinators, or among staff through the work of diversity champions and the networks for BAME, LGBTQI+, female and disabled staff.

2. Flinders University

As well as taking second place for the SDG 10 table, Flinders University ranks at number 21 in the overall table for the Impact Rankings. 

The university is a partner for the Centre for Social Impact, which is a national and research collaboration which aims to catalyse social change. 

3. Central Queensland University

Central Queensland University organises a range of student activities that help to tackle inequalities in society. 

One such activity is the annual Beach Day Out, which coincides with Disability Action Week. Students studying occupational therapy work in partnership with local hospices and centres to organise a day out to the beach for people living with disabilities. 

Similarly, oral health and physiotherapy students attend the annual Homeless Connect event to provide services to the homeless. 

4. Aalborg University

Aalborg University conducts a range of research projects related to tackling inequalities, looking into social housing, language inequalities, policies for refugees and much more.

The university has three research units dedicated to researching inequalities.

5. RMIT University

RMIT University is committed to working across all the SDGs, and SDG 10 is no exception.

RMIT is conducting a number of research projects that explore inequalities in all aspects of society in Australia and beyond. One such project focuses on the liveability of Australian cities through analysing public transport systems, public open spaces, housing affordability, walkability, employment and food and alcohol environments.

The top 100 universities for reducing inequality

View the full ranking here