The University of Basra retained its leading position in the British Times ranking for Sustainable Development 2023 for the third year in a row, where it ranked first locally, followed by the University of Babylon and then the University of Baghdad, as well as gaining the eighteenth place at the level of universities in the Arab Gulf.

This year's ranking included fifty-three Iraqi universities and colleges that registered competitive positions in the Times sustainable development ranking for the year 2023, which included 1,591 educational institutions from 106 countries around the world, and the official published results indicated the University of Basra in the center (401-600) globally, followed by the University of Babylon (601-800) followed by the University of Baghdad in the center (601-800).

The University of Basra also occupied advanced positions in the axes of sustainability in (the effort exerted for clean energy) from (102-200) globally, (working for a clean environment) from (201-300) globally, as well as (fighting poverty) in order from (201-300) globally, (quality of education) from (201-300) globally, (saving and purifying water) from (201-300) globally, as well as (responsible production and consumption) from (201-300) globally, and finally (underwater life) in the ranking of (201-300) globally.

It is noteworthy that the British times sustainable development rating evaluates universities by achieving a number of United Nations goals out of (17) goals, including the quality of education, health, well-being, partnerships, industry and innovation.