This year marks the first time Loughborough has taken part in the Positive Impact Rating (PIR). The PIR is a unique rating based off a survey of students, for students. It was designed to capture how participants perceive their schools’ positive impact on the world.
Loughborough is one of just eight UK business schools to be named in the PIR 2025. Recognised for its commitment to driving positive change through the ‘Progress with Purpose’ ethos, the school achieved a Level 3, making it a ‘Progressing Institution’ within the PIR framework.
Participants were asked to evaluate how Loughborough addresses societal and sustainability challenges and how well it prepares its students to become responsible leaders.
Since the launch of the ‘Progress with Purpose’ strategy in May 2023, Loughborough Business School has been on a transformational journey, helping students and staff to discover better ways of doing business.
Loughborough has embedded responsible management and sustainability at the heart of its courses, with research tackling big societal issues like inclusive entrepreneurship and the climate effects of digital carbon emissions.
Discussing the impact of purpose-led research on the curriculum, student Laura Smith said: “Sustainability-oriented modules are incredibly important because sustainability is now a core expectation for businesses across all sectors. Including these topics in the course shows that Loughborough is keeping its content relevant and forward-thinking.
“One topic that stood out to me was Digital Decarbonisation, taught as part of the Managing Big Data module It explored the environmental impact of AI and data storage in business, and how digital innovation can be used to reduce carbon emissions.
“What I learned from this module proved incredibly useful in my graduate job applications. I was able to talk about digital decarbonisation in my interview and show my awareness of emerging sustainability challenges in the digital space, leading to me securing my dream graduate job.”
Professor Jan Godsell, Dean of Loughborough Business School, commented: “I’m delighted that Loughborough has been recognised in the latest Positive Impact Rating, it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and student community, who make this such as exciting and innovative place to study.
“Our commitment to Progress with Purpose goes beyond just words, and this recognition as a ‘Progressing’ business school highlights the impact of our action on societal and sustainability challenges.”
The PIR uses 20 questions, grouped into seven dimensions, across three overarching areas: Energizing, Educating, and Engaging. These results place schools into one of five levels, the top three of which are published.
Professor Thomas Dyllick, PIR Founder and Member of the Supervisory Board, stated:
“While future students now have an alternative source to select their business school, schools refer to the PIR primarily to measure and communicate their transformational progress. The voice of the student has become a true source of value.”
The PIR was initiated by a coalition of business school experts and international NGOs such as WWF, Oxfam, and UN Global Compact, and is supported by student organisations including oikos, AIESEC, and Net Impact. It is also backed by VIVA Idea (Costa Rica), the Institute for Business Sustainability Foundation, and FehrAdvice (Switzerland).
Find out more about our commitment to Progress with Purpose.