Research

REF 2014 Results

REF 2014 Results

Exceptional results confirms our global academic status

 Our REF results for each unit of assessment:

 

Quality level
% of research activity

Unit of Assessment 4* 3* 2* 1* U
Clinical Medicine UoA 1 38 46 14 2 0
Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care UoA 2 25 49 24 2 0
Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy UoA 3 41 49 10 0 0
Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience UoA 4 51 36 12 1 0
Biological Sciences UoA 5 50 42 7 0 1
Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Science UoA 6 19 47 33 1 0
Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences UoA 7 25 59 16 0 0
Chemistry UoA 8 8 75 17 0 0
Mathematical Sciences UoA 10 29 59 11 1 0
Computer Science and Informatics UoA 11 46 41 13 0 0
Aeronautical, Mechanical, Chemical and Manufacturing Engineering UoA 12 21 60 19 0 0
Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials UoA 13 27 63 6 0 4
Civil and Construction Engineering UoA 14 30 58 12 0 0
Architecture, Built Environment and Planning UoA 16 28 57 15 0 0
Archaeology UoA 17a 18 35 47 0 0
Geography UoA 17b 35 47 18 0 0
Business and Management Studies UoA 19 18 39 40 3 0
Law UoA 20 14 56 27 3 0
Politics and International Studies UoA 21 14 38 44 4 0
Sociology UoA 23 23 49 25 3 0
Education UoA 25 21 50 25 4 0
Modern Languages and Linguistics UoA 28 35 39 22 3 1
English Language and Literature UoA 29 57 32 11 0 0
History UoA 30 20 42 37 1 0
Classics UoA 31 29 47 22 0 2
Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory UoA 34 24 59 13 4 0
Music, Drama, Dance and Performing Arts UoA 35 36 36 26 2 0
Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management UoA 36 42 40 16 2 0

Submissions

The REF is a process driven by external review. Each research-active University in the UK submits a return for each research unit. These submissions are reviewed by expert panels appointed by HEFCE.

Our submissions are overseen by the University Research Committee under the authority of Executive Board and Senate.

The REF Steering Group, through the University Faculties, ensures its delivery. University Research Office, under the supervision of Professor Nick Wright the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, manages the process.

REF research categories

  • 4* Quality that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour
  • 3* Quality that is internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour but which falls short of the highest standards of excellence
  • 2* Quality that is recognised internationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour
  • 1* Quality that is recognised nationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour
  • U (unclassified) Quality that falls below the standard of nationally recognised work or work which does not meet the published definition of research for the purposes of this assessment

RAE 2008 results

Find out about our Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) results.