Research Excellence Framework
The REF is the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. It first took place in 2014 and 2021. The next exercise is planned for 2029.
The outcomes of the REF are reflected in the Times Higher Education (THE) tables where we rose by 11 places to 38th in the UK for overall quality. At a subject level, the quality of our research was ranked as:
Architecture; Classics; History (1st in UK); Law; Philosophy; Social Work & Social Policy (3rd in UK); Theology; Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts Film and Screen Studies.
Anthropology; Biological Sciences; Computer Science; Economics & Econometrics; English Language & Literature; Modern Languages & Linguistics; Geography & Environmental Studies.