More universities have severed ties with fossil fuel companies, banning them from recruitment fairs and refusing to advertise roles in the industry, according to the latest higher education league table.

The analysis found that eight more universities had signed up to end recruitment ties with the fossil fuel industry - an increase of 80% since last year. This means 18 higher education institutions, or 12% of the sector, now refuse to advertise roles with fossil fuel companies to their students.

Josie Mizen, co-director of climate justice at People and Planet, which carried out the study said: “We’re delighted to see a growing number of universities cutting their ties with the fossil fuel industry – the industry most responsible for fuelling the climate emergency.

“We know that a just transition away from fossil fuels also requires an end to the funnelling of graduates into this dead-end industry, so we’re extremely encouraged by the fact that a record number of universities have committed to banning recruitment for these destructive companies over the past 12 months.”

This year’s People and Planet university league ranks 147 UK universities against 14 criteria linked to climate and social justice. Universities are ranked using the typical grading system in UK higher education – given either a 1st, 2:1, 2:2, 3rd and fail.

Manchester Metropolitan University came out as the overall winner for a record fourth year, due to what campaigners said was a consistently high performance across all categories.

It also scored highly for its energy sources and carbon reduction after investing in a major heat decarbonisation retrofit project to replace gas-fired heating systems and a combined heat and power system with highly efficient electric ground and water source heat pumps.

Campaigners said this year’s analysis found many universities had taken bold steps in support of migrant rights, with the number of universities “divesting from private companies profiting from controlling, surveilling and preventing the movement of people seeking sanctuary” rising from six last year to 13 this year.

Andre Dallas, co-director of migrant justice at People and Planet, said it marked an important step in “delegitimising the border industry” after pressure from student groups across the country.

“As government policy continues to double down on the scapegoating of migrating people, it is inspiring to see students and workers taking a stand to demand an alternative future characterised by compassion rather than cruelty.”

New universities, formed after the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, continue to lead the way in sustainability in higher education with eight in the top 10 places. These institutions have often been early adopters of actions such as ending recruitment links with fossil fuel companies and divesting from the border industry.

Just three Russell Group universities scored a 1st class award this year, down from six, two years ago. The University of Oxford has jumped 30 places and keeps a 2:1, while the University of Cambridge has jumped 10 places from a 3rd to a 2:2.