REF 2014

In the UK the principal means of finding out which individuals, departments and institutions are producing the most excellent research is the national Research Excellence Framework (REF) which is the successor to the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). 

The REF assesses research excellence by focusing on three elements that will be considered by independent expert review:

The quality of research outputs (65%)

The reach and significance of the impact of research (20%)

The quality and strengths of the research environment (15%)

Headline results

World leading research

14.9% of the University’s entire submission has been classed as world leading

30.9% of the ‘Impact’ component of the University’s entire submission has been classed as world leading

12.9% of research outputs in the University’s entire submission have been classed as world leading

Internationally renowned research

89.7% of the University’s entire submission is internationally renowned

87.2% of the University’s research outputs are internationally renowned

93.0% of the ‘Impact’ component of the University’s entire submission is internationally renowned

94.8% of the ‘Research Environment’ component of the University’s entire submission is internationally renowned

UNITS OF ASSESSMENT (UOA)

In 2014 the University entered five specialist areas:

• English Language and Literature (UoA 29)
• History (UoA 30)
• Music, Drama, Dance and Performing Arts (UoA 35)
• Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience (UoA 4)
• Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism (UoA 26)