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). REF is the successor to the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).

Our REF Highlights

Our spotlight 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

REF Impact

What REF asseses

The REF assesses research excellence by focusing on three elements 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%)

Assessment is based on:

  1. Recognised nationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour
  2. Recognised internationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour
  3. Internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour
  4. World-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour

Our REF 2014 Results

How we did

In 2014 we entered five specialist areas:

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